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.

OPPORTUNITIES

Volunteer phone surveyors: Mahoning County Senior Levy Committee is looking for volunteers to call individuals throughout the county to survey people about the needs of residents related to aging services. Shifts are available during the day, evenings and weekends. Volunteers must be at least 18, have a high level of maturity and a clear and audible telephone voice.

Northside Weed and Seed: Do you live on the North Side of Youngstown or care about how the city looks? Get some friends together and help Northside Weed and Seed water their planting site. People, groups, families, employee groups, service clubs or social organizations are needed to commit to one or more weeks of watering the Weed and Seed planting site on the northeast corner of the Fifth Avenue and Redondo Road intersection. It takes about four or five buckets — cat litter buckets with lids work well — of water two or three times a week depending on rainfall to do the job. If you or your group is interested, please call Terri Bryant, Weed and Seed Coordinator at (330) 717-6218, and let her know what weeks you are willing to commit to providing watering service.

On Angels’ Wings: The group provides therapeutic horseback riding lessons for individuals with disabilities. Individuals and groups can volunteer as side walkers by going out with the individual receiving the lesson and walking alongside the horse on the trail. Lessons are given Mondays and Wednesdays from 4 to 7 p.m. There is need on both days, but a much bigger need exists Monday evenings. The minimum age to participate as a side walker is 14, and no experience with horses is required. If you know of anyone who is interested, or would like to get involved, call VSA at (330) 782-5877.

Grow Youngstown: Community Sponsored Agriculture supports local farmers and provides fresh fruits and vegetables to urban communities. Grow Youngstown invites you to get involved a few hours a week by adopting a city garden, harvesting fruits and vegetables at a local farm, or assisting with logo design. Additionally, master gardeners are needed to volunteer two to four hours a week to share their knowledge with individuals and families that are assuming responsibility for new food gardens in their community. Contact Corrie Adams at VSA if you are interested.

Support our Schools: VSA is seeking dedicated individuals who have a genuine concern for children, strong organizational and communication skills, and a positive attitude to serve as mentor liaisons at Taft, Harding, Williamson and North elementary schools during the 2008-09 school year. Mentor liaisons manage volunteer scheduling and orientation, collect and report data, and serve as a liaison between school personnel, teachers and volunteer sponsor organizations. They serve from 9 a.m. to noon on the day(s) they choose. For more information on this and other mentoring opportunities, contact Corrie Adams at VSA.

Share Your Summer: Volunteers needed a couple of hours in the morning or afternoon to help out with the YWCA Pre-School Program at Discovery Place West on Mahoning Avenue. Volunteers are needed from 8 to 10:30 a.m. or 3 to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday to monitor incoming/outgoing children and help with meals and activities. You choose the day and you choose the time. Volunteers must be at least 16 and submit to a background check. Contact VSA for more information.

The Summer Festival of the Arts: The annual festival Friday to next Sunday at Youngstown State University seeks volunteers. Volunteers will register artists. People at least age 14 are invited to help at the information booths, with artists, children’s activities, performances. Family members or friends will be scheduled together. Call (330) 941-2307 or e-mail lafactor@ysu.edu for more information. Hours for volunteering are 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Canfield Fair volunteers: This is an early call for volunteers to staff informational booths for nonprofit organizations. The annual fair runs from Aug. 27 through Sept. 1 (Labor Day). If you’re interested or your organization needs help, call VSA.

Salvation ArmyMahoning County Chapter: Volunteers needed to help with SA’s Christmas Kettles.

Loghurst: Volunteers needed to help with yard and garden work at Loghurst, Western Reserve Historical Society, Canfield. There also is an opportunity to make your own imprint on the grounds in helping with design and layout of the gardens.

Trumbull County United Way: Loaned associates needed to contact businesses about getting involved in the United Way campaign. Candidates must have their own transportation and a willingness to meet people. Training will be provided.