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:
American Heart Association Heart Walk: Walkers and others are needed to help run the event, which will be from 9 a.m. to noon Sept. 17 at Youngstown State University.
Beatitude House: The organization is sponsoring a golf scramble Sept. 25 at Pine Lakes Golf Course, Hubbard. Opportunities are available to do set up, run registration, sell raffle tickets, serve meals and clean up.
United Way: The organization is sponsoring a golf outing Sept. 19, and volunteers are needed to help with set up and registration.
Park Vista: Volunteers needed to help with the organization's annual Apple Butter Festival set for Oct. 1.
YWCA: The service organization will have its 100th anniversary dance Oct. 8. Volunteers can sell tickets, work publicity, or run the raffle and silent auction.
LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES
Goodwill Industries: Amblyopia testing training begins at 10 a.m. Sept. 14. Volunteers will visit schools, September through April, and test pre-school children.
Salvation Army: The SA's Women's Auxiliary is looking for new members. They meet September through May and support the Salvation Army through many special projects.
CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates): Training begins the end of September for people who are interested in becoming advocates for abused or neglected children.
Giving Back Tutoring Program: A program sponsored by the New Bethel Baptist Church, Youngstown. Volunteers will tutor children in grades K-12 weekdays from 5 to 7:30 p.m. Orientation begins Sept. 12.
STARS Program (Youngstown City Schools): People age 50 and older are needed to mentor and tutor elementary children. Orientation begins in October.
Second Harvest Food Bank: Volunteers are wanted to answer the phone Monday, Wednesday and Friday from noon to 4:30 p.m. Shifts available.
Heart Reach Ministries After Care: People are needed to help children with studies, crafts, recreation and field trips.
Forum Health: Help is needed at the Austintown branch at the information desk and at Beeghly Medical Center delivering mail from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministries: Tutors are needed every Tuesday and Wednesday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. to work with pupils in grades one through eight. They also need van drivers and someone to pick up and sort food.
American Red Cross Disaster Services: Volunteers are needed to update shelter agreements by visiting schools, churches and organizations and delivering the forms. Also some filing and computer work involved.