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 (800)-Volunteer.org

SHORT-TERM OPPORTUNITIES:

Salvation Army: Volunteer bell ringers are needed for The Salvation Army Christmas Kettle. Take one shift, or several shifts at a kettle close to where you live or work. The days are from Nov. 23-Dec. 22. Call (330) 270-5999 for more information.

National Family Volunteer Day: On Nov. 17, a Program of the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network, sponsored by The Walt Disney Company, calls families across America to work together in volunteer service to strengthen their families, communities, local businesses and nonprofit organizations. Call VSA to explore opportunities for your family to participate in this day of service.

VITA Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to assist people with their tax return preparation. VITA is a national program offered at the local level to assist people in maximizing the greatest benefit possible from their tax returns. Volunteers are provided with comprehensive IRS Tax Preparation training and support.

LONG-TERM OPPORTUNITIES:

Trumbull Mobile Meals: Volunteer drivers are needed to deliver meals in their own neighborhoods. Training and support provided.

Veterans Administration: A van driver is needed to help local veterans get to doctors’ appointments in Cleveland. The volunteer must have a clean driving record and be available to transport veterans from Youngstown to Cleveland once a week using agency van.

Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way: Community Investment panels are made up of members representing nonprofit agencies, government, business, education, health care and community volunteers from Mahoning County focused on a specific area of community impact. It is convened for the purpose of performing organizational and programmatic review of each program requesting funding through the United Way Community Investment process. Volunteers serve an average of 20 hours over a five-month period.

Antonine Sisters: Friendly volunteers who enjoy working with older people are needed to assist older adults on and off buses, during activities, provide individual visiting, group crafts and parties. If you’d prefer not to work directly with people, help is needed to provide assistance with weekly cleaning of equipment.

Beatitude House: Volunteers are needed to transport residents of Beatitude House Transitional Housing Program to sites to continue educational services. Volunteers need to be understanding, supportive and possess a current Ohio driver’s license and automobile insurance.

Volunteer Service to Seniors: Someone in your neighborhood needs your help. Most Ohioans want to remain living at home as long as possible. Remaining independent often depends on the availability of services delivered at home or provided by the community. That’s where you can help. Call VSA to learn more about helping someone in your neighborhood.

Operation Learning Community: Tutoring and nurturing at-risk second- and third-graders Tuesday, Wednesday and/or Thursday from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Background checks required.

Girard Multigenerational Center: Many opportunities exist at the center — tutoring, assisting with social events, creating crafts, assisting with computers.