In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, we are pleased to publish opportunities for volunteers each week.   To find out about these or other volunteer opportunities, 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 affiliated with the HandsOn Network.

Spotlight
of the week

n What are you doing for New Year’s Eve?  You can combine starting the year right by volunteering at the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra’s New Year’s Eve Speakeasy Ball at the Vineland Center in St. Joseph.  If you have ever wanted to be “the house” at a casino – here’s your opportunity. You can volunteer as the game dealer and be trained at 7 p.m. Dec. 29.
Other opportunities are available on Dec. 31 that don’t require training, including registration, coat check, cashier, usher, prize redemption attendant and bouncer.

Adults
n Finding a job can be tough.  If you aren’t comfortable with interviewing ,it is even more difficult.  Join the team at Heartland Alliance/Opportunity Center in Benton Harbor to help participants in their programs feel prepared.  As a mock interviewer, you will assist them in preparing for interviews by playing the role of an employer and providing feedback.
n Bring your passion for the Niles Salvation Army’s mission and learn the many ways you can volunteer with them.  For example, you can volunteer as a receptionist and give a second chance to families in crisis situations.  You can help provide emergency groceries from the pantry, schedule appointments for rent and utility assistance and give hope to those in need.  You can also greet guests, answer phones, do filing and special projects.  Another way to help is through the Feeding His Sheep program, which has delivered 1,424 backpacks to elementary school children.  You can be involved in handling food deliveries, packing and getting backpacks to schools.
n Hospice Care of Southwest Michigan volunteers place bereavement calls or visit clients’ surviving family members to provide emotional support and information on support groups and assistance.  They also work in partnership with hospice grief counselors in local schools assisting students with loss.  Special training provided.
n Are you interested in learning about child protective services, foster care, adult services, assistance payments and other programs of the Berrien County Department of Human Services?  As a general volunteer aide, you will learn all about them as you assist with clerical tasks.  Volunteers should be responsible adults who understand the importance of rules, policies, procedures and confidentiality.
n The Volunteer Center got another call for drivers from the American Cancer Society.  Whether it is vets, cancer patients or seniors needing meals, there is someone waiting for you to drive.  There are opportunities in every corner of Southwest Michigan.
Ask your circle of friends, family and co-workers how many of them have received blood products during their life?  You might be surprised at how many people you know who have benefited.

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org.

Michigan Blood
Nov. 21 – Lakeland Community Hospital, 400 Medical Park Drive, Watervliet:  noon – 6 p.m.
Nov. 25 – Orchards Mall, near stage, 1800 Pipestone Road, Benton Harbor:  noon – 6 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.

Adults and youth
n Do you enjoy providing companionship to seniors and people with special needs? Child and Family Services of Southwest Michigan counts on volunteers to prepare and serve snacks, play games, do crafts and spend time with clients in the adult day care program in Benton Harbor.  This program makes it possible for these clients to live in the community instead of a nursing home.
n Are you off work on Martin Luther King Day?  Would you like to be part of an effort to honor his memory and promote volunteerism?  Call the Volunteer Center to learn how you can get involved.
n Michigan Blood helps people make a life-saving difference through blood products and service excellence.  Do you have special talents you want to contribute to their mission?  They want you to call them and talk about what they have available and about your next great idea of how you would like to help.

Youth
The Ronald McDonald Family Room in South Bend provides a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children in Michiana area medical facilities.  Their very active teen board allows you to get involved in a global charity at the local level.  You will be involved in community service, outreach and help raise funds.

Families
n Nov. 19 from 10 a.m. until noon at First Church of God in St. Joseph, the Volunteer Center has invited multiple nonprofits to have on-site, hands-on volunteer activities for all ages and abilities – everything from making cat toys for the animal shelter to creating cards for the troops.  It’s a great way to start the holiday season by giving back.
n Holidays are just around the corner and many organizations are having food drives.  It is easy to go through your pantry or pick up a few extra items at the store.  Involve your kids and do a food drive at their school, your house of worship or in your neighborhood. Contact the Volunteer Center for more information on groups needing your donation.