HELPING HANDS | Volunteering

Volunteer Services Agency, a United Way agency, is a local resource for volunteer recruitment, placement and management for people of all ages in the Mahoning Valley. It sponsors three programs: The Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, which helps people 55 and older use their life experience skills in their communities; Volunteer Service to Seniors, which provides assistance and companionship to the elderly living independently in their homes; and the Volunteer Center, which helps people of all ages connect with local nonprofit agencies that need volunteer assistance. For more information, call (330) 782-5877, or visit the Volunteer Services Agency at 5500 Market St., Suite 106, Boardman, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITIES:
Alzheimer's Memory Walk: Event is scheduled from 7 a.m. to noon Saturday in Boardman Park. Volunteers are needed to assist with the walk.
Children's Museum of the Valley: Annual Halloween Bash will be 6-8 p.m. Oct. 28 and 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Oct. 29. Volunteers are needed to be greeters and help with activities at the museum, 139 E. Boardman St., Youngstown.
Foster Grandparents Program: Person or a group needed to wrap Christmas gifts at Barnes & amp; Noble Booksellers on Dec. 2, 9, 16 or 24.
Ronald McDonald House: A masquerade ball is planned as a fund-raiser Nov. 5. Volunteers are wanted to set up, tear down and help run the event.
Salvation Army: People needed to fill out applications for the Christmas assistance program Oct. 11-15.
Animal Charity: Volunteer needed for one month for clerical work and computer data entry. Flexible hours.
Beatitude House/Potter's Wheel: People needed to do informal instruction for preparation for the General Educational Development test. This will begin the middle of October and run for one month.
Red Cross Disaster Services: Volunteers needed to answer phones from 8:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. or 12:30-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES:
Citizen Corps: People are needed who are interested in becoming trained volunteers to respond to emergencies and disasters.
Easter Seals: Clerical help is needed.
Foster Grandparents Program: Person needed to answer telephone from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays and Wednesdays.
Mahoning Valley Historical Society/Arms Museum: Volunteer opportunities available in areas such as archives, public education and collections and research.
Family Services Agency: Help needed for the agency's Guardianship Program, which assists seniors with shopping, doctor visits and friendly visits.
Junior Achievement: Volunteers will deliver the program to pupils five to 10 times yearly during 45-minute sessions with teacher supervision. The age range is kindergarten through 12th grade. Training and materials provided.
Salvation Army Women's Auxiliary: The auxiliary is looking for new members. They meet September through May the first Tuesday of each month and do special projects.
Second Harvest Food Bank: Volunteers are needed to answer telephone from noon-4:30 p.m. daily, or to ride with the van driver to pick up food. Groups are needed to sort and re-box food. The food bank is open from 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday evenings and from 9 a.m.-noon Saturdays.