HANDS ON | Volunteering

HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley, 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 located at Youngstown State University, second floor of the Williamson School of Business in the Center for Non-profit Excellence. Hands On 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 HOVN at (330) 782-5877 or visit our Web site at www.HOVN.org.

OPPORTUNITIES:

Call for Nominations: During National Volunteer Week, April 19 – 25, thousands of volunteers nationwide and locally will receive recognition for the immeasurable generosity and selflessness they provide through sharing their time and talent to improve our community. National Volunteer Week is about thanking our community’s most valuable assets, volunteers, and calling the public’s attention to all they do to improve the Mahoning Valley. It is the ideal time to honor volunteers for their tremendous contributions.

Call HOVN to request nomination forms. Nominations are due by close of business on March 13.

Bags of Hope and Love Project: Western Reserve Building and Trade Council, local National Honor Societies, the Coalition of Churches and local labor unions in Mahoning and Trumbull counties ask you to help those in need in our community. Help create a personal care package. Items will go to food pantries, homeless shelters, drop in centers and other nonprofit organizations providing basic human needs. These items are requested for donation: travel-size shampoo, deodorant, bars of soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, hair brush/comb, sun screen, lip balm, Band-Aids, antibiotic ointment, hand towels, warm socks, feminine products, rain poncho, or zip top storage bags. Items can be dropped off at the United Way, 255 Watt St., Youngstown, through April 15.

Spring break projects: Staying in the Valley for spring break? Call us to find an opportunity to fill your week, a day or a couple of hours. Make survey phone calls for The Aging Network of Mahoning County, or help Habitat for Humanity build a house, pick up donations or help in their re-store, design an activity to do with seniors living in life-care communities.

Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way Youth Day of Caring: Celebrating Global Youth Service Day, April 25. Youth in grades nine through 12 are invited to register and participate in this annual day of service. Each group registering needs to have a one or two adult leaders to provide supervision and transportation. More information can be accessed on the HOVN Web site, or by calling HOVN or Youngstown/Mahoning Valley United Way at (330) 746-8494.

Alliance Community Outreach Program: Assist visitors to the center with basic computer operation and setting up and operating e-mail accounts and doing homework. Flexible schedule, looking for volunteers who can set the program up and provide parameters for sustainability. Monitors are also needed to staff the computer lab during busy hours. Call HOVN for details and interview.

Youngstown State University Relay for Life: Join the volunteer force of the relay by volunteering to staff activities, hand out literature, register participants or be of support to the event.

Animal Welfare League of Warren: There are many volunteer opportunities for volunteers at the shelter. Consider helping with the newsletter or writing thank you notes to donors. Your skills are needed and training is provided. Call Kristen in our Trumbull County office (330) 393-4254 Tuesday through Thursday.

YSU students needed: Students 20 and older are needed to assist with Youth Day of Caring on April 25, to provide extra “eyes and ears” during the day’s activities. Student leaders will need to exhibit maturity and responsibility and act as mentors for youth participating in projects. The day begins at 8 a.m. and should end before 1 p.m. For more information, contact Maureen at HOVN .

Harvest For Hunger: Show your generosity by donating nonperishable food products to Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley. Harvest for Hunger is a month-long food and funds drive that takes place during this month to replenish the food bank shelves during the spring and summer months when donations taper off. Companies, schools and organizations can conduct food drives and fund-raisers. If you would like to participate, call the food bank at (330) 792-5522.