HANDS ON | 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 at 5500 Market St., Suite 110, Boardman. Hands On is a monthly column that serves to communicate the impact that volunteering can have on the 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

Lead with Experience Tutoring: Tutors 55 years and older are needed for Lead with Experience, a national program with local roots in HOVN. Volunteers are instrumental in helping struggling students become successful students by working one on one or within small groups with a prescribed curriculum designed to be easily implemented by volunteers. Call Addonnus Harden for more information at 330-782-5877.

Ohio Benefit Bank counselor: The HandsOn Volunteer Network, in cooperation with Ohio Benefit Bank and the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Food Banks, needs 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. OBB provides access applications to programs, including food assistance, Ohio Medical Benefits, home-energy assistance, federal student aid, prescription assistance, voter registration and federal and state income-tax filing. Training, orientation and support to volunteers who become OBB Mobile Volunteers is provided. For information, email aharden@hovn.org or call Addonnus at 330-782-5877.

Camelot Center grounds maintenance: The Camelot Center is a therapeutic horse-riding center for people with disabilities. It provides riding lessons and learning opportunities year-round. Volunteers are needed to help with the upkeep of the facility by mowing, landscaping, repairing stalls as needed, putting up fencing, equipment maintenance and cleaning stalls.

Shepherd of the Valley communication specialist and gardener: A communication specialist is needed at Shepherd of the Valley to teach Internet communication programs such as Skype, Facebook and email to elderly adults. The teacher may work in small groups or in one-to-one situations. In addition, SOV is in search of a gardener to assist elderly adults decorate the outside of plant containers, plant flowers and vegetables and help with plantings in raised flower beds outside the facility in the late spring and early fall. The volunteer also will oversee watering and care of the plants over time.

Hands On Volunteer Network volunteer receptionist: Volunteers are needed at HOVN to answer phones and direct callers to appropriate staff members, assist volunteers through the sign-up process, distribute mail and perform office tasks for at least one four-to-six-hour day per week as needed.

“Buck Night” for the HandsOn Volunteer Network: HandsOn will raise much-needed funds by providing volunteers to staff Eastwood Field’s portable beer and wristband stands for Mahoning Valley Scrappers “Buck Night” games Thursdays. Volunteers 18 and older are needed to check identification and distribute wristbands to patrons 21 and older. Each of these stations requires two people. Adult volunteers 21 and older will serve beer at one of the three stations. Games still available include Thursday, Aug. 22 and 29. Volunteers should report to the ballpark for orientation at 5 p.m. If the volunteer commits to multiple games and already has received orientation, he or she should arrive at 5:30 p.m. The estimated time commitment is five hours per game. HandsOn needs the confirmation of 12 to 15 people for each game to participate in this opportunity. If all the volunteer spots are filled, the Scrappers will make a monetary donation to HandsOn Volunteer Network, in addition to any tips received at the stands. To participate, contact Kristen Gallagher by emailing kgallagher@HOVN.org, or call 330-782-5877, ext. 106. Have a particular game or games in mind where you can commit your time.

Event volunteers: Many of our nonprofit partners need event volunteers for projects and fundraisers. If you are open to new experiences and flexible with what is assigned to you during an event or project, then this is the opportunity for you. Call 330-782-5877 or email to info@HOVN.org

Nonprofit-board members: Nonprofit partners of HOVN are considering new candidates for their boards. If you are interested in learning more about what directors do to support a nonprofit, please call HOVN. We can walk you through the educational opportunities we offer and speak with you about open seats with organizations.

The Concern of Sebring Food Pantry associate: A food- pantry associate is needed to stock shelves and pack food for distributions, pickup and unload deliveries, and help with fundraising, food drives and assisting with Ohio Benefits Bank access.

Telephone reassurance callers: Reliable volunteers are needed to provide social interaction via telephone calls to our aging friends in the Mahoning Valley. Volunteers must be able to spend at least three hours once a week in the HOVN offices providing telephone reassurance. Training and guidance are provided to all volunteers. Contact Addonnus Harden at aharden@HOVN.org.

Trumbull Mobile Meals: Drivers are needed to service summer routes and fill in for volunteers who are on vacation. Routes typically take 90 minutes per day. This opportunity is appropriate for families, teams, businesses, retired couples and students who are majoring in the social services, nursing or medical fields.

Animal Charity of Ohio volunteers: A dog walker who can spare a lunch or weekend hour to walk dogs is needed at Animal Charity. The walks allow the pets to be out of the facility and interact with other humans. A great opportunity for those who work in the Market Street corridor near Boardman.

Iron Soup Historical Preservation Co. volunteer Saturdays: The Iron Soup Historical Preservation Co. will host volunteer Saturdays through Aug. 31. Rain dates will be the following Saturday at the same time. All-day volunteers will be served lunch and dinner, treated to evening festivities and automatically entered into a drawing for prizes.

Transportation for cancer patients: The American Cancer Society is in need of volunteers to provide transportation to follow-up doctor’s visits for those undergoing treatment for cancer. The volunteers typically will provide a ride from the patient’s home to their appointment and home again. The volunteer must have a valid driver’s license, reliable transportation and be flexible and understanding. Volunteers do not receive compensation.