In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, the Niles Daily Star 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 website at www.volunteerswmi.org; or e-mail us at volunteer@volunteers wmi.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 agency.

Spotlight Agencies of the Week

We know mentoring makes a difference! Help area mentoring organizations recruit more mentors when you join a team of volunteers from the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan to create a promotional event for National Mentoring Month in January 2011.  We want to create a signature activity that will build each year. You will also be invited to attend the Michigan Mentoring Conference Nov. 17 in Lansing. Bring your special skills and talents to the team and let the community know “Mentoring Matters!”

Adults

• Get in the classroom this fall when you present Junior Achievement programming focused on how business works, financial literacy and work readiness. Most volunteers go in once a week (five times) at a time arranged by the teacher and volunteer individually. Junior Achievement provides all materials and training.

• HOYA (Helping our Youth Achieve) is looking for guest speakers for their community and career awareness education series. Share dialog with middle and high school students about health issues, job skills, careers and citizenship.

• Did you know that when you drive you can help older adults stay healthier in their own homes? North Berrien Senior Centeras part of Senior Nutrition Services wants you to deliver noon time meals to homebound seniors in North Berrien County. Mileage reimbursement may be available. The meal routes run 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. and you can choose what days you volunteer.

• Join the 2010 All Crafts Fair on Sept. 4 and 5, sponsored by the South Haven Area Chamber of Commerce. As a volunteer you will pitch in and help with set up, overseeing cleanliness during the event and assist with clean up.

• Cass County CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) trains volunteer advocates to speak for the best interests of children who are brought before the court for reasons of abuse or neglect.  Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and pass a criminal background check.  Days and times you would volunteer vary; however, a court report and appearance must be conducted at least every 91 days.

Blood saves lives.  Donate today!

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross

For a complete listing, visit www.berrienredcross .org.

Michigan Blood

For a complete listing, visit www.miblood.org.

Adult and youth

• The Michigan Nature Association has many work days scheduled at their sanctuaries across the state. Activities include removing invasive species, trail maintenance and general land stewardship. Work locally or use a workday as an excuse to visit somewhere else in our beautiful state.

• The Fort St. Joseph Archaeological Project is a partnership with Western Michigan University, the City of Niles and the Fort St. Joseph Advisory Committee. This project seeks to unlock the secrets of the frontier outpost of New France that lies within the current Riverfront Park in Niles. They will hold an open house Aug. 14-15 to showcase this work to the public. You can help demonstrate what life was like in the fort era of 1691 to 1781 or volunteer in other capacities.

Families

• Hard to believe but school supplies are starting to show up in the stores. It is easy to get involved in a back pack drive in your community by picking up a few extra supplies when you are shopping or by volunteering at a local back pack giveaway. Contact the Volunteer Center for more information.

• Be a recycling Environ-Volunteer for Berrien County Resource and Recovery and prepare recycling goodies that are given out at multiple recycling-related kids events through the year. Currently, helpers are needed to put labels on recycling sticker sheets.

• The Coloma Glad Peach Festival-Family Art Fair on Aug. 7 has a volunteer opportunity for you and your family. Twenty more people can choose a shift from either 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. or from 2 to 4 p.m. to help out at an art activity booth. They also have extra supplies this year because of weather issues last year. So if you have a great idea for a project they might even be able to give you an art booth of your own! Don’t miss this chance to spend quality family time helping other families enjoy time together.

Youth

• Are you already volunteering this summer? Youth Summer Serve is a way to recognize your volunteer service to the community. Contact Callie at youth@volunteerswmi.org or 983-0912 and let her know where you are volunteering. If you volunteer at least 40 hours by August you will be invited to a special party at Volunteer Day at the Berrien County Youth Fair and receive a recognition certificate for your service. Let us recognize what you have accomplished! If you are not yet connected to a volunteer opportunity let us know and we can connect you!

• Youth volunteers will engage senior residents of Lakeland Continuing Care in St. Joseph in a variety of organized activities with a team leader on the first Saturday of each month. This opportunity is open to youth in middle and in high school. Contact the Volunteer Center to learn more.