HANDSON

HANDSON

Volunteering

HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley, engaging 21st-century volunteers to improve civic health and social conditions by reaching out to volunteers to raise awareness and inspire them to make a difference; providing people with access to projects and other opportunities to learn new skills and engage in work to improve their communities; and mobilizing people to use their time, talent, money and voice to create community change. The office is located at 5500 Market St., Suite 110, Boardman. HandsOn 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, fax to 330-782-5001, or visit its website at www.HOVN.org.

OPPORTUNITIES

Mill Creek Metro Parks Yappy Hour: Volunteers are needed to help from 5:30 to 8 p.m. Friday. This is a social event for canines and their human companions. Volunteers will help people and dogs onto and off a boat, and help manage the dogs while people are getting refreshments. Volunteers are requested to be at the Lake Glacier boathouse by 5 p.m. for a brief training. Log into HandsOn Volunteer Network to connect with this opportunity.

Information Kiosk: Maintain and stock Mill Creek MetroParks information kiosks located at the parks farm in Canfield, East Golf Drive in Boardman, James L. Wick Recreation Area on Youngstown’s West Side and the Kirk Road Trailhead in Austintown. Volunteers would stop into the park administrative office in Canfield to pick up the materials and keys, visit each kiosk and return to Canfield. A park vehicle would be available for use. Shifts: three hours per week from March through November; three hours twice per month December through February. Weather dependent. Qualifications: good driving record; knowledgeable about Mill Creek MetroParks; have a sense of organization and display.

Make a Difference Day Ohio, Oct. 27: HOVN will be partnering numerous projects in the Mahoning Valley, and help is needed. Warren City Firefighters and United Way of Trumbull County will install nearly 2,000 smoke detectors in Warren city residents’ homes. After training, volunteers will install tamper-resistant smoke alarms that contain a power cell that will last 10 years.

Hope Academy for Autism: Board members will oversee the operations and fiscal accountability of the school by serving as a working board member and actively serving on a subcommittee. Time commitment is a two-year term and two hours of service a month. Board orientation and training will be provided. Committees include: executive, program/education, personnel, property, finance, public relations, nominating, task group and development. Volunteers also are needed for building and grounds maintenance.

Disaster Preparedness and Response Co-op for Nonprofits: Continuity of operations planning and volunteer reception center training will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Girard Multi-Generational Center, 443 Trumbull Ave. Participants must complete training to become volunteer reception center volunteers. Volunteers are encouraged to work with supervisors and executive team to implement a continuity-of-operations plan.

Jubilee Gardens: Local community gardens require help growing vegetables and assistance with weeding and watering. Contact HandsOn Volunteer Network to help.

Sweats for Serenity: Compass Family and Community Services wants to make sure rape survivors assisted by their rape program have a new set of sweats to leave the hospital. Rather than have the survivor leave the hospital in a hospital gown, the rape program ensures that everyone leaves the hospital with dignity and respect wearing something clean and comfortable. New sweat suits of every size range are needed. This is a great opportunity for companies, church groups, service clubs and individuals who want to make a difference in the lives of people who have been traumatized. Call HOVN for more details on how to construct a project in support of Sweats for Serenity.

Ohio Benefit Bank Counselor: Help to connect low- and moderate-income Ohioans with work supports and tax credits. Counselors assist individuals by walking them through electronic applications for programs. Volunteers need only basic computer skills. Ohio Benefit Bank provides access applications to programs including food assistance, Ohio Medical Benefits, Home Energy Assistance, Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), prescription assistance, voter registration and federal and state income tax filing. Openings exist throughout Mahoning County. Training will start soon. For information and to sign up, email mbraunlich@hovn.org.

Potential Development Program for Autism Supply Drive: Back-to-school supplies are being collected to be used in the kindergarten through eighth-grade classes during the upcoming school year. Items needed include crayons, colored pencils, No. 2 pencils, pens, paper, tissues, construction paper, scissors, two-pocket folders, glue sticks and rulers. Donations can be dropped off at the School of Autism, 880 E. Indianola Ave., Youngstown, between 9 a.m. and 2 p.m. weekdays. A representative also will be at the Southern Park Mall Community Day on Friday to gather donations.

Disaster Preparedness and Response Trainer: Become an asset to family, friends and neighbors by becoming a trainer for personal and community disaster preparedness class. The free “train the trainer” class will be Sept. 20 at 9 a.m. at a location to be determined. Call the HandsOn Volunteer Network at 330-782-5877 to express interest.

Tutors for elementary students: Volunteer two hours a week throughout the school year helping one or more students to improve their reading or math skills. Volunteers must pass a background check and drug screen, have the ability to provide tutoring based on grade level and enjoy working with children. Contact HOVN at 330-782-5877.

RSVP: Volunteers that are 55 and older and who can give a few hours each week are invited to make an impact by pursuing opportunities such as distributing food to the hungry, tutoring young people, helping others prepare or respond to local emergencies and disasters, presenting educational programs on budgeting and financial management, assisting veterans and military families in accessing benefits, providing health/chronic disease education and improving volunteer management in local nonprofits. If interested, call Marlene Braunlich for details at 330-782-5877, or email mbraunlich@HOVN.org.

HandsOn Volunteer Network Independent Projects: Any individuals or groups looking to make an impact can pursue projects to benefit the HandsOn Volunteer Network. Projects that will make a difference include making toys for shelter pets or place mats for senior centers, assembling snack bags for needy children, making paintings to decorate the children’s wing at hospitals, collecting cleaning and hygiene items for shelters, and making holiday ornaments for a Hospice. For other project ideas or to register your group, call HOVN at 330-782-5877.