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, and our main office, 5500 Market St., Ste. 106, Boardman. 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 Trumbull County (330) 393-4254 or visit our new Web site at www.HOVN.org!

OPPORTUNITIES:

Nov. 21 is Family Volunteer Day: HandsOn Network, generated by Points of Light Institute and The Walt Disney Company present Family Volunteer Day. This annual day of service, on the Saturday before Thanksgiving, is designed to demonstrate the power of families who choose to volunteer together to support the communities in which they live and serve. To get your family involved, visit www.hovn.org to search for opportunities, or call (330) 782-5877.

Charity wine taste: On Nov. 22, from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Southern Park Mall, there will be a Charity Wine Taste. All proceeds will benefit local charities. You can help HandsOn in two ways: Purchase an advanced $25 ticket to the event or a VIP reserved table of eight for $275, or volunteer to help the night of the event. Volunteers will be needed at the door to pass out wine glasses, to help serve the hors d’oeuvres, pour wine, set up and tear down. If you would like more information on either of the ways you can help or for ticket order forms, contact Kristen Gallagher at (330) 393-4254 or (330) 540-0102.

Reading buddies: You can help a second-grader at a local school build a solid foundation for life by volunteering one or two hours a week as a reading partner and mentor. Reading partners work one on one in the school to help students learn to be better readers. Training will be provided. For more information, contact Corrie at (330) 782-5877.

After-school tutors: Operation Learning Community is seeking volunteers who are interested in making a difference in the life of a child living on the lower South Side of Youngstown. Tutors will work one on one with elementary-age students on reading and enrichment activities. Flexible opportunities are available on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday between 4 and 6 p.m. For more information, contact Judith at (330) 788-3805.

Volunteer tax preparers: Receive all the necessary training and certification from the IRS and then help provide a much needed service to families and seniors in the Mahoning Valley. Volunteers provide free tax-return preparation to eligible taxpayers, low- to moderate-income families and senior citizens. Last year, volunteers were responsible for bringing $2.6 million back to families in need in the Valley. Our certified instructors will provide you with all the materials needed, as well as teach you about tax preparation, tax law and the software used to prepare taxes. Volunteers are also needed to serve as greeters at several sites around the community, and individuals who are fluent in Spanish are needed to serve as interpreters. For more information, or to reserve a space for trainings or orientation, call (330) 782-5877.

Volunteer receptionist: The YWCA in Warren is in need of a volunteer receptionist to greet and welcome people entering the reception area, answer phones and direct calls to the appropriate staff, perform general clerical duties, maintain YWCA databases and mailing lists and make sure rented rooms are ready and operational for renters. For more information, contact Kristen Gallagher at (330) 393-4254 or Shari Harrell at YWCA at (330) 373-1010 ext. 21.

Advisory board member: New volunteers are welcome to join the advisory board meetings of First Book Mahoning Valley to help develop fund-raising events, to participate in literacy events and to help distribute books to qualifying organizations. Meetings are the second Wednesday of every month at 7 p.m. at Barnes & Noble in the Shops at Boardman Park. For additional information, contact Amy at (330) 448-6973.

Support group facilitator: The Alzheimer’s Association of Greater East Ohio is seeking a facilitator to encourage and direct discussion within our monthly caregiver support group meetings. Meetings are located in communities throughout our chapter service area. Time commitment is about three hours per month. Training is provided. Contact Meghan McNamara at (330) 966-7343 or meghan.mcnamara@alz.org if you are interested.