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@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 agency.

Spotlight of the Week

The Readiness Center in Benton Harbor provides educational programs for low-income parents and their preschool through grade 5 children. Most programming runs September through May but they are looking for volunteers to sign up now so they can be ready. You can volunteer as a parent room volunteer and participate in sewing, craft, writing or computer projects. Classes meet Monday through Thursdays with morning and afternoon activities. So pick a time that works for you and let your creative juices flow.

Adults

• Have you visited the Box Factory for the Arts in St. Joseph? If not, you have been missing out! The Box Factory is a multi-use facility practicing and celebrating the arts while generating opportunities for the artists of our region to interact, educate, learn and grow. Be that friendly first person people talk to when they call or visit. As a volunteer receptionist greet and direct visitors and perform other duties such as occasionally helping with the gift shop. The Box Factory is open seven days a week and you can pick which shift you want to work. Support local artists by volunteering.

• Do you have special skills or licenses? Would you like to use those on a regular basis or a couple times a year? Contact the Volunteer Center and we would love to match your skill to a local organization. For example, if you are an electrician, you can do a project or be on call for The Salvation Army in Niles. If you are a barber or beautician, Lakeland Hospice patients would love to have you visit them at home and attend to their hair care needs.

• First Tee, co-located with the Boys and Girls Club of Benton Harbor, provides local youth with activities that promote character development and life enhancing values through the game of golf. If you are a volunteer who likes kids and golf you are invited to join the action. Golf experience is helpful but not necessary since the program teaches life skills through the game of golf.

• Remember Mayberry? When you volunteer as an office assistant at the Paw Paw Police Department, you can find out if Paw Paw is just like the TV show. Volunteers work mornings to help answer the phones, screen incoming calls, greet visitors, do data entry and other office work. You should have basic computer skills and a working knowledge of copiers, faxes and other office equipment. Good communication skills and an ability to maintain confidentiality is required.

• Let’s get those kids active and safe! As a bicycle safety trainer for the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission you will assist with bicycle safety promotions which could include creating promotional materials, distributing materials to communities, attending community festivals to promote bicycle safety, evaluating program effectiveness and coordinating events in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. A background check is required to attend events with children. Training and supplies provided and a travel reimbursement is available.

• Whether the disaster is across the street or across the country, the American Red Cross is ready to respond. This powerful national resource is strong because of local chapters. The chapters’ strength comes from local volunteers who train in advance to assist with disaster relief. Whether you respond locally to a house fire or are ready to head to tornado alley, prepared volunteers are critical. No commitment needed to contact them for more information about training requirements. Blood drive and office opportunities are also available.

• Revolutionize how technology helps volunteers connect to volunteer opportunities in southwest Michigan! The Volunteer Center is offering a stipended summer eight-week internship to assist with the launch of HandsOn Connect. The volunteer intern will clean up existing data and get ready for transfer to new system, test the new system and assist with developing training materials. The volunteer intern will need to work independently under the guidance of the implementation team and have a high level of computer and Internet skills.

• Did you attend any local graduations? Local high school students are donating blood at an inspiring rate — how about you?

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross

• Thursday, June 23 — The Whitcomb Towers, 509 Ship St., St. Joseph, 11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

• Friday, June 24 — Celebration Cinema, 1468 Cinema Way, Benton Harbor, noon to 5:45 p.m.

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

Michigan Blood

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

Adults and youth

• Art is for all ages. Help at the children’s art tent during the Krasl Arts on the Bluff July 9 and 10. Many shifts available.

• Mmm, mmm good! Every morning from 9:30 to 11 a.m. Bronson Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Lawton serves residents hot or cold refreshments. This morning social time is special to the residents and you as a volunteer can pick a day that works best for you. Residents will appreciate your time and conversation.

Families

• Have you heard of volunteerism where people travel to another country to volunteer and vacation? Your family can do that locally. Help pack food in Douglas on June 25 in the morning and then head to nearby Oval Beach in Saugatuck for the afternoon. Think Globally, act locally!

• “Who let the kids out — oof, oof — who let the kids out” (sing it). Are you wanting ways for your younger children to keep busy and do some good this summer? One idea is to make cards for the troops. Contact Debra at the Volunteer Center for lots of other family volunteer ideas.

Youth

What are your plans for the summer? Callie and Crew have lots of great ideas on how you can connect to the volunteer opportunity that is just right for you. Check out opportunities online at www.volunteerswmi.org or send Callie at e-mail at youth@volunteerswmi.org for list of youth oriented opportunities. Remember to track your hours and earn recognition for participating in 2011 Youth Summer Serve.