HANDSON | Volunteering opportunities

OPPORTUNITIES

American Cancer Society Road to Recovery Program: The program needs help immediately to provide free transportation to and from treatment for any patient who cannot find a ride or is unable to drive themselves. Drivers donate their time to help drive cancer patients to and from their respective treatment centers. Volunteer coordinators help schedule rides for patients.

American Red Cross: Immediate needs are receptionist, Warren office; Disaster Action Team, a group that helps people who have experienced a personal or family disaster. Training provided and people can serve in both Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Public Relations, help with following up to press releases, writing press releases, putting together packets of information or being an ambassador for Red Cross and health and safety instructors.

Halloween fundraising: HandsOn Volunteer Network is partnering with Mill Creek MetroParks to host a fabulously good time around Halloween. We’re looking for a few dedicated volunteers. Specifically, we need volunteers who can serve as co-chairmen or co-chairwomen or participate as committee members. If you would like to be a part of this great event, call HOVN at 330-782-5877 or email info@HOVN.org.

Warren City Schools: Person needed to serve as hallway traffic monitor, supervises the hallways during lunchtimes for two hours per day. You choose how many days a week you want to volunteer at the Lincoln K-8 School.

Lunchtime host/hostess: Assist staff in supervising and talking with students at lunch periods and helping students with opening of lunch containers at Lincoln K-8 School. This opportunity is a two-hour shift for three to five days a week.

Classroom buddy: Tutoring children at Lincoln K-8 School by reading to/with them, monitoring learning centers while teacher works with a small group of students and preparing classroom material (running copies, creating math manipulatives, etc.) A commitment of one to two days a week for two to three hours at a time is requested.

Library helper: Will assist the librarian at Lincoln K-8 school with shelving books, repairing library books and helping students find the right reading- level book. This is available for one to five days a week in two- and three-hour shifts (flexible).

Compass Family Services: Are you a techie? If so, Compass Family Services on the South Side of Youngstown can use your help with updating electronic files, updating software and general system cleaning. You would work under the direction of the company’s IT person and must have a demonstrated knowledge of working in networked systems.

Meals on Wheels: Once a week or once a month, volunteers’ help is needed to deliver meals to home-bound seniors. Routes operate throughout Mahoning County on mornings Monday through Friday. Pick up prepared and packaged food from John Knox Presbyterian Church, 1806 Market St., Youngstown, and deliver using own car.

Shepherd of the Valley: Eyes for the Visually Impaired program. Volunteers will help older adults with low vision play bingo or other games; read mail, books, magazine articles, etc. out loud to residents. This could be a one-to-one basis and/or in small groups. The time commitment would be 30 to 60 minutes a week depending on residents who desire this service.

Wellness motivator: Volunteers will invite residents at Shepherd of the Valley to pre-planned exercise classes for both mind and body. They will bring the residents to the area where the activity is taking place and participate in the activity; volunteers will also help those residents to return to their living area.

Kitchen-less cook: Help residents at Shepherd of the Valley to prepare a snack or small dessert that does not require a stove for cooking or baking (no baked cookies, appetizers, veggies and dip), apply icing or decorations to already prepared baked goods. You may use a microwave, pitzelle iron, bread machine or other small appliances. You are asked to commit to one-half hour to an hour a week.

United Methodist Community Center: Numerous opportunities available for people who want to help youth, adults and families at the Youngstown and Warren sites. Flexible hours, days and opportunities.

Trumbull County Mental Health and Recovery Board: Volunteers needed for the agency’s 15th annual golf outing June 22 at Avalon South golf course. Duties include directing golfers, registration and setting up and serving lunch. Volunteers can choose to work between 7:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Minimum age requirement is 18.

Veterans advocate: HandsOn and the Ohio Veterans VISTA Project is looking for volunteers who can commit to guiding veterans through the process of applying for benefits, obtaining DD214, obtaining emergency assistance with food, clothing, housing, counseling and more. Training and mentoring will be provided. Call Richard Whittenberger at 330-941-3314 or email him at richard.whittenberger@gmail.com for information.

RSVP Lead with Experience: Are you 55 years of age or older? We’re looking for your skills, talents and expertise in the following areas: food security — feeding the hungry through food pantries or delivery; Canfield Operation Blessing, The Concern of Sebring, Meals on Wheels; education — tutoring elementary school students at Kirkmere, McGuffey, Taft, Bunn schools in Youngstown, and developing programs in Girard and Warren; health — providing patient education, support and advocacy; Mended Hearts, heart disease; Hospice of the Valley, respite care; HMHP, Goodwill amblyopia screenings; radio reading; Independent Living, offering telephone reassurance to home-bound seniors; Caring Caller Program; Disaster Preparedness Services, training individuals and nonprofits in preparing for and helping in local emergencies; Volunteer Reception Center, coordinating volunteer efforts after first responders Red Cross Blood Service; Emergency Assistance to individuals/families; Veterans’ Services, assisting veterans and their families in accessing benefits, VA Outpatient Clinic on Belmont, VFW Post 9571 Honor Guard; economic development — providing free income tax preparation through VITA and Mahoning County Financial Stability Partnership; nonprofit management, offering skills and support to build organizational capacity; HOVN Center for Nonprofit Innovation and Leadership.