HANDS ON | Volunteering

HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley works in 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. For trending opportunities, like us on Facebook by searching for Hands-On Volunteer Network of the Valley. Contact HandsOn Volunteer Network by calling 330-782-5877 or emailing info@HOVN.org about these opportunities:

OPPORTUNITIES

Special Olympics Ohio Area 11: The Special Olympics 45th annual Invitational Track and Field Meet will take place from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. June 14 at Austintown Fitch High School on Falcon Drive, and volunteers are needed to direct athletes, measure distances and times, help and encourage them to do their best at each event and escort athletes to and from the awards area. Events are walking, running, wheelchair events, standing long jump, softball throw, shot put throw, javelin and the 4x100 meter relays.

Down Syndrome Association of the Valley iCan Shine Bike Camp volunteers: iCan Shine Bike Camp, a weeklong bike-riding camp for people with disabilities, will take place June 16-20. Volunteers are needed each day to help camp participants learn to independently ride a two-wheel bike. There will be five sessions each day beginning at 8:30 a.m. and finishing at 4:50 p.m. Sessions are approximately 90 minutes each. Volunteers may choose the session(s) they are available for each day.

Autism Speaks Walk for Autism Walk Committee Member: Assist the committee in reaching its goals by assisting in tasks that focus on top teams, top walker, corporate development, logistics and publicity.

Choffin Aquaponics: The Aquaponics program at Choffin is seeking volunteers with levels of skill and experience that involve plumbing, construction, curriculum development and facilities operations for the 2014-15 school year. Throughout the summer, volunteers will be constructing parts of the systems and maintaining the day-to-day operations of the facility. This program is designed to use water that is pumped from fish tanks to provide water and nutrients to a variety of plants growing in water containers rather than soil. This opportunity is appropriate for science majors, retired systems engineers, architects and retired teachers. Volunteers are needed, and their responsibilities include: facilities assistant to feed fish, clean aquariums, tanks and filters, maintain the floors through sweeping and mopping; systems maintenance assistant to analyze water systems and maintain pump systems; communications specialist to write and edit materials to be used in the classroom and for the marketing campaign; illustrators to draw cells and other scientific organisms for classroom presentations, marketing materials and online library; and a revenue-development specialist to research grant opportunities and identify outside researchers who could use the facility. HandsOn Volunteer Network is managing the volunteer program, and all volunteers are required to go through HandsOn.

Boy Scouts of America Greater Western Reserve Council: The council is in need of an office assistant who will help with copying, emailing, scanning and various other office duties as assigned for one to two days a week for three to four hours a day; a receptionist to greet visitors, answer phones and direct calls to appropriate individuals for one to two days a week for three- to four-hour shifts; and a computer data-entry volunteer to accurately enter and verify data, certify applications and send emails.

VFW Post 9517 honor guard associate: A volunteer is needed to facilitate access to veterans’ benefits and supportive services by offering emotional and psychological comfort in a time of crisis to family members of the deceased veterans through an honor guard at military funerals; maintenance of uniforms, flags and supplies; administrative support necessary for the provision of services. Volunteers must be a VFW or ladies/spouse auxiliary member with the ability to perform flag ceremonies or provide other support.

Veterans Outreach: The Veterans Outreach Center in Struthers is looking for assistance with website development and veterans-benefits assistants. For information, contact Addonnus Harden at aharden@hovn.org or by calling 330-782-5877.

Girl Scouts of Northeast Ohio: The Scouts are in need of various volunteers. An adult-learning facilitator is needed who can mentor, be a role model and facilitate the learning and leadership needs to all GSNEO volunteers. This volunteer will deliver and facilitate adult learning within the council jurisdiction that will enable GSNEO volunteers to carry out their position responsibilities with confidence and satisfaction. A Journey Series program facilitator also is needed. The series urges girls to learn how to discover, connect and take action in our world.

American Red Cross receptionist: American Red Cross of the Mahoning Valley is in need of a volunteer receptionist who is available Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will answer phones and direct calls, handle incoming and outgoing mail and assist staff when needed. The Red Cross office is in Liberty.

RSVP Lead With Experience volunteers: RSVP Volunteers are needed to apply their skills and wisdom to make a positive difference in the lives of others. A part of Senior Corps, RSVP is America’s largest volunteer network for people 55 and older, with more than 300,000 volunteers tackling many issues nationwide. RSVP volunteers can choose how and where they want to serve. RSVP can help match volunteers with thousands of local and national organizations with local presence.

RSVP Lead With Experience for Project More: The HandsOn Volunteer Network is expanding Project More in Mahoning and Trumbull counties. Mentoring in Ohio for Reading Excellence is a volunteer reading mentoring project for students with disabilities or those that are not on track. McGuffey Elementary is now a station of RSVP volunteers with Project More. The volunteers help students gain skills and confidence they need to increase their individual reading levels by working with students for one to four 30 minute, one-on-one sessions. HandsOn Volunteer Network of the Valley is a direct volunteer connector for Project More of Ohio. Contact Harden for information at 330-782-5877.

Hospice of the Valley Hospice House: Volunteers are needed to provide support and companionship to patients and their families before and after the patient’s death through visits while the patient is in Hospice House. All volunteers must complete the training program as required.

Additional Hospice of the Valley Hospice House volunteers: Clerical volunteers are needed to assist personnel with copying, filing, inventory, phone calls and scheduling at the front desk; fundraising volunteers are needed to assist with signature events by securing auction items, selling raffle tickets, setting up and tearing down event venues, gift-wrapping and other tasks; and mail-team volunteers are needed process all mass mailings for the agency and other tasks.

Hospice of the Valley Hospice House certified companion volunteer: Volunteer must have a valid driver’s license and insurance and complete the training program. Volunteers provide support and companionship to patients and their families before and after the patient’s death through visits and telephone contacts.

OBB tax counselors: HandsOn trains volunteer Ohio Benefit Bank counselors to assist people in accessing benefits that can help them maintain their households. Mahoning or Trumbull county residents are needed to assist people in the community with accessing programs that will help strengthen families. Training, orientation and support to volunteers who become OBB Mobile Volunteers is provided. The opportunity is appropriate for those 18 and older who are looking for careers in the social-service fields. Openings exist in both counties. For information, call Harden at 330-782-5877 or by email aharden@hovn.org.

Paisley House: Paisley House is an assisted-living facility that needs volunteers for a variety of tasks. This may include helping residents host parties, exercise, be entertained, complete crafts, learn new skills and go on outings. A resident dog needs to be walked, brushed and bathed, and there is a courtyard garden that needs to be maintained.

Affordable Care Act volunteers: The ACA’s first deadline has passed for enrolling, but many people are getting ready for the next deadline and need assistance navigating the system. HandsOn is in need to boost its volunteer ranks for ACA inquiries. Those who have a background in a helping profession, prior volunteer experience or knowledge in navigating difficult Web pages are needed for an Affordable Care Act project at HOVN. The training is free and will be done at HOVN offices. Call 330-782-5877.

Math tutors: Volunteers who have about 30 minutes a week to help a student, can help students to understand critical academic information. Contact Harden via email at aharden@hovn.org or by calling 330-782-5877.

Girard Multi-Generational Center tech wizard: The Girard Multi-Generational Center is in need of a tech wizard who can tutor guests of the center on computers and technology. A background check and orientation will be required. The volunteer will teach members how to use computers, iPads, iPhones, tablets and e-readers. The time commitment is flexible.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Mahoning Valley and Western Pa. database detail technician: A volunteer will research names in an old database and then update them in a new database, and they will look up names in phone books, add missing information, delete names not found and enter data into a computer. Three hours a week will be needed until the database is complete. Volunteers can work from home.