HANDSON | Volunteering

HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley engages volunteers to improve civic health and social conditions by reaching out to volunteers to raise awareness and inspire them to make a difference. They can provide people with access to projects and other opportunities to learn new skills and engage in work to improve their communities; and mobilizes 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 our community. To express interest in one of the opportunities, contact HOVN at 330-782-5877, fax to 330-782-5001 or visit its website at www.HOVN.org.

OPPORTUNITIES

National Volunteer Week: Help HOVN celebrate National Volunteer Week from April 20 to 27 by sharing how your organization will recognize volunteers in the Mahoning Valley. Email information to info@HOVN.org and it will be included on the HandsOn website. Contact HOVN for help in finding or developing a project to celebrate National Volunteer Week.

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. 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. For information, email mbraunlich@hovn.org, or call 330-782-5877.

National Volunteer Week with the Warren Fire Department: Assist the Warren Fire Department to keep city residents safe and kick off National Volunteer Week on April 20. Volunteers will be required to install at least one smoke alarm per level in approved Warren homes. Volunteers will provide residents with fire-safety materials as well as offer a follow-up phone call in six months to ensure the smoke alarm has been tested and still is in good working order. The overall time commitment will be four hours. Volunteers must be able to use hand and electric tools, be comfortable climbing ladders and possess a basic knowledge of installation. Installation training will be provided before being sent out to participating homes, at 9 a.m. April 20 at the United Way of Trumbull County, 3601 Youngstown Road SE, Warren.

Hope Academy for Autism Board: Board members are needed to oversee the operations and fiscal accountability of the Hope Academy for Autism by serving as a working board member and actively serving on a subcommittee. The time commitment will be two hours monthly with a two-year commitment for board meetings; one hour monthly will be needed to serve on a committee and any other special events. Board orientation and training will be provided. Background check required.

Frisky Ferrets, Fuzzies, & Feathered Friends Rescue & Sanctuary: The Frisky Ferrets, Fuzzies, & Feathered Friends Rescue & Sanctuary (F5RS) is dedicated to the practice and promotion of the idea that life is guaranteed to all healthy, sick, injured, or behaviorally unsound animals where medical and/or behavioral intervention can provide quality of life. At the F5RS facility, each animal receives individual consideration, regardless of health, age, prior abuse or trauma, or feral status. We provide care and treatment for all animals as needed. Volunteers are needed in many capacities: assisting in the organization’s rescue store; managing online presence; working fundraising events; writing newsletters; baking or creating crafts for fundraising events; picking up pet supplies and donations to bring to rescue; and photographing animals up for adoption.

Iron Soup Historic Preservation Company Board treasurer/secretary: The Iron Soup Historic Preservation Company (ISHPC) is in need of a volunteer board treasurer. The candidate must be proficient in basic computer applications such as Word processing, spreadsheets, and Internet usage, and possess a degree in accounting. Prior experience with nonprofit organizations is preferred but not required. The position requires about four to five hours per month.

ISHPC also is searching for a volunteer board secretary. Duties include attending monthly meetings, taking minutes and entering them into our system. Candidate must be familiar with Microsoft Word. An associate or bachelor’s degree as well as experience with nonprofit organizations is preferred but not required. The position requires about two to three hours per month.

Trumbull Mobile Meals: Drivers are needed to service new routes in Hubbard and Brookfield. Routes typically take 90 minutes per day.

Veterans Administration van driver: Volunteers are needed to transport veterans from Youngstown to Cleveland once a week using the agency van. Screening and proof of valid driver’s license required, along with clean driving record.

Veterans Support Associate: Volunteers will provide reminders of medical appointments or optometry assistance and make referrals as necessary.

American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley: A clerical volunteer is needed at the Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley. The position will require computer literacy and the ability to complete word- processing, data entry, making publications and slide shows, working on the organization’s website, the use of a scanning graphics telephone, answering and directing calls, soliciting, completing surveys, calling the volunteer’s general office, filing, duplication, assembling documents and completing mailings.

Animal Charity of Ohio Volunteers: A volunteer receptionist is needed to answer phones, greet clients, and other tasks as needed for the veterinary office of Animal Charity of Ohio. A humane department volunteer also is needed to assist the department with record- keeping and to answer phone calls.

Compass Family and Community Services Assistant: A computer and information-technology assistant is needed at Compass Family and Community Services. The volunteer will help install software and minor hardware on computer workstations and troubleshoot network problems.

Community Legal Aid volunteer: A volunteer is needed to assist clients with preparation of civil protection orders for victims of domestic violence.

Girl Scouts: The Girl Scouts are looking for dedicated troop leaders who can work directly with girls, helping them develop their leadership skills on an individual and group basis. Troop leader must have the enthusiasm and ability to generate girls’ interests and curiosities. Significant screening required.

Food pantry associate at the Concern of Sebring: A food pantry assistant is needed at the Concern of Sebring to stock shelves, pack and distribute food, help with the pick up and unloading of deliveries, assist in fundraising, food drives and/or accessing Ohio Benefits Bank.

Delivery Driver for the Ursuline Sisters HIV/AIDS Ministry: Help the Ursuline Sisters by picking up and delivering food from Second Harvest Food Bank of the Mahoning Valley to the Ursuline Motherhouse.