HELPING HANDS | Volunteering

Volunteer Services Agency, Inc., a United Way Agency, is the local resource for volunteer recruitment, placement, and management for people of all ages and abilities in the Mahoning Valley. Helping Hands is a monthly column that serves to communicate the impact that volunteering can have on our community. To express interest in one of the opportunities below, contact VSA at (330) 782-5877, or visit www.volunteerservicesagency.org. and click on the blue button for 1 (800) Volunteer.org

SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITIES:

Big Reach Back to School: Aug. 4. Help be a part of the Big Reach Back-To-School program by sorting donated items and filling bags for the Big Reach families. Help is needed with packing school snack sacks, produce, personal care items and school supplies.

Make a Difference Day: Oct. 27. It is not too early to start thinking about a project. On Make a Difference Day, millions of people across the nation gather to volunteer in their communities. For the last seven years, Ohio has led the nation in the number of projects completed on Make a Difference Day. Participation is simple. Get a group together and determine what need you want to address, develop a project and register it and recruit volunteers.

LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES:

Interdenominational Youth Coalition: An opportunity for youth ministers, youth directors and participants 13 to 18 from churches, faith congregations and religious organizations to participate in service projects as an extension of faith. The coalition meets the second Wednesday of every month, at 1 p.m. at Volunteer Services Agency.

"Museum in a Suitcase" by Mahoning Valley Historical Society: Present historical, hands-on suitcase programs to students at local schools when available (mileage refunded); work closely with curator of education to develop additional suitcase programs and supplement current ones.

Mahoning County Council for Retarded Citizens: Looking for an activities assistant to coordinate various opportunities to assist clients with activities, including dances and other special events.

Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran Retirement Services: Need an activity helper to help motivate residents to actively participate in structured activities. The person also will assist residents who have mobility and/or visual challenges participate in activities. Available assignments include: Friday bingo (2 p.m.); Wednesday coffee social (1:30 p.m.); exercise classes (M-Sat, 10 a.m).

Youngstown Mahoning Valley United Way: Share your talents and expertise by volunteering to serve on various committees including Public Relations, Campaign and Community Investment.

Park Vista Retirement Center: Looking for a bird cage cleaner to assist with cleaning the bird cages to make the birds sing louder for the facility’s residents.

American Red Cross Blood Services: The ARC is looking for blood drive assistants to help register potential blood donors and serve refreshments to donors after they have given blood.

The Mahoning County Reuse and Recycling Program (The Green Team): Looking for a business recycling liaison who can assist local businesses in reducing costs associated with trash disposal by implementing a recycling program. Liaisons can help by contacting area businesses and setting appointments for the businesses to learn more.

Mahoning Chapter American Red Cross: Need a volunteer clerical person who can adequately handle computers, word processing, data entry, making publications, making slide shows; working on the Web site, scanning, graphics; answering and directing calls, soliciting, surveys, calling volunteers; general office, filing, duplication, assembling documents, mailings.

Mahoning County Sheriff's Department: Looking for a clerk to perform clerical duties including typing, filing, simple posting and preparation of standard form, answering phones, taking and relaying messages, providing counter assistance by answering questions, and helping direct the public.

Community Advisory Working Group: RSVP Episodic Volunteers. The Community Advisory Working Group is looking for people who represent diverse populations to assist with planning and implementing special initiatives within the program. CAWG members can be current RSVP volunteers or people 55 years of age and older.

Friend For Life: Guardian Angels of Ohio. Friend For Life volunteers are matched with a senior citizen to create a long-standing friendship. Volunteers are asked to develop a personal relationship with their senior match, and to reach out to them regularly, provide telephone reassurance, advocate meeting their basic needs and celebrate life with them.