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
YSU Summer Festival of the Arts: Volunteers needed for registration, the information booth, the children's tent and the performance and ethnic sites July 8-9.
Special Olympics: The event will be at Austintown Fitch Stadium on June 10. "Huggers" are needed to cheer on the athletes and guide them to the awards stand.
Miracles Unlimited: The program for special-needs children will be at Southwoods in Boardman and will run from June 20-July 29. Volunteers can assist the instructors and students.
American Cancer Society/Relay for Life: Volunteers are needed for these locations: Sebring, Springfield, Austintown, Lakeview, Lordstown, East Liverpool, Lisbon and Crestview, New Waterford.
Easter Seals Drive For Dough Events: Assistance is needed June 24 in Salem; June 27 at the General Motors Fab Plant; and June 28 at the GM Assembly Plant.
Western Reserve Historical Society/Loghurst: "Sweet Sundays" will be June 11, 18 and 25, and volunteers are needed to help with old-fashioned lawn games and in serving dessert.
Warriors Inc., Youngstown: The center has several events that need volunteer assistance. "Hooked on Fishing" on Saturdays is a certified sports program for ages 11-17; Lady Warriors is a traveling basketball team playing now through July 10; Eagles Christian preschool is in session; and summer day camp runs for eight weeks for ages 5-11.
LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES
Concepts of Learning Inc.: Volunteers needed to assist seniors by transporting them to the center, serving as host/hostess during lunch, and assisting with clerical/receptionist duties.
Hope House Visitation Center: The center is looking for someone or a group to do yard maintenance.
American Red Cross: Receptionist needed one to two half-days a week.
Mill Creek MetroParks/Fellows Riverside Gardens: Volunteers can help in the gift shop, gardens, library or with the help line.
Paisley House, Youngstown: Volunteers needed to help the residents through bingo, provide entertainment, play card games or lead a sing-along.
Easter Seal/Warren: Volunteers can assist with the programs that help adults who are disabled.
Volunteer Services to Seniors: People are wanted to assist senior citizens with grocery shopping, doctor visits, reassurance calls or making friendly visits.
Volunteer Services Agency: VSA needs someone who could give one or two days a week to assist with a clerical project.