In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, file will publish opportunities for volunteers each week. To find out about these or other volunteer opportunities, please call 983-0912 in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor area, 683-5464 in the Niles area; visit our Web site at www.volunteerswmi.org; or e-mail us at volunteer@volunteerswmi.org for further information.  To arrange an appointment, please call ahead. Appointments do not constitute an obligation to accept a volunteer opportunity. The center is a United Way partner agency.

Spotlight of the Week
Who mentored you?  January is National Mentoring Month and why not make it part of your New Year’s resolutions to consider becoming a mentor or talking to others about becoming a mentor.  You can contact the Volunteer Center for information on mentoring programs in your area.  You can also request materials to post at your work place, library, house of worship or other location to encourage others to become mentors.  Our children need mentors!

Families
Did you miss National Family Volunteer Day in November?  No problem, come to another Family Volunteer event sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan at the Cassopolis Library on Saturday, Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Hands on activities will be available for all ages. You and your children can make cards for veterans, make a kitty toy for a cat in a shelter or choose from six other booths of activities.  You will learn about community needs and make a difference together.  Assistance is also needed in setting up, helping at the event and cleaning up afterwards. This event is possible thanks to a grant from Disney Parks.

Adults
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass and Big Brothers Big Sisters: A Community of Caring (Van Buren and Kalamazoo counties) have opportunities for you to become a “Big” in the community where you live or where you work.  In one hour a week you can meet your “Little” at their school and have lunch with them.  It’s easier than you think.  Talk about what they are doing in school, sports or whatever interests them.  Kids just want adults to listen and let them know they matter.

Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries’ (HHUM) in Benton Harbor mission is to meet immediate physical, emotional and spiritual needs while also working to change conditions and attitudes in individuals, community and society which create human need.  HHUM has several mentoring programs including a program for boys and one for girls in the sixth grade reaching them at an important stage in their lives.

Do you enjoy reading this column? Would you like to be involved in writing it and promoting it? You would learn a lot about area nonprofits and volunteerism. This position as columnist for the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan would require two to three hours each week and could be an ongoing position or be set up as an internship or a temporary position for someone who is unemployed. Minimum commitment would be three months and training would be provided. This position would work closely with the executive director.

Lakeland Hospice is offering an orientation session for new volunteers Thursday, Feb. 25 with sign in at 9 a.m. Learn about the different areas that you can volunteer for and the important role you as a volunteer can play in supporting patients and families during end of life care.

The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College collects and preserves artifacts related to the history of the College’s District and interprets this history through exhibits, school tours and programs.  The first person visitors meet is the friendly volunteer at the front desk who can answer their general questions. The volunteer schedule is flexible.  Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. with some variation possible.

Memorial Hospital of South Bend wants you to be their “people mover.”  If you have a smiling face and are safety conscious, you can drive the people mover to various areas of the hospital.  You must be over 18 and complete orientation and training.

The Salvation Army meets local community needs. In Niles, lunch is served on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m.  Volunteers make it all possible by helping anytime between 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Work can include preparing food, setting up and cleaning up.

Habitat for Humanity in South Haven makes it possible for low-income families to have an affordable, quality home of their own.  Even if you don’t swing a hammer you can assist by helping organize other volunteers including recruiting, scheduling and coordinating. Your work can be done on your own schedule, but you will need to attend monthly board meetings.

Live your new year’s resolutions – donate your blood today!

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross
Tuesday, Feb. 16 – St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3 North 19th St., Niles, noon to 5:45 p.m.
Wednesday, Feb. 17 –  Red Cross offices, 303 Riverview Drive, Benton Harbor, 11 a.m. to 3:45 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org.

Michigan Blood (formerly known as Michigan Community Blood Centers)
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.

Adults and youth
Be a part of the largest annual juried art show in Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana when you serve on a Box Factory for the Arts committee. You can work on fundraising, receiving of art, curating or on the opening reception.

If your holiday shopping is all done and you are starting to miss the stores, why not volunteer at one of the local thrift shops? There are many in the area supporting different important causes. Helping Hands of Cass County provides emergency food, clothing or household items to people in crisis. You can volunteer to help at the sales counter and on the floor arranging merchandise and helping customers. Training will be provided and volunteers over 15 are welcome. The store is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.