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, 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 affiliated with the HandsOn Network.

Spotlight of the Week

• Did you know that children with mentors were: 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol, 53 percent less likely to skip school and 33 percent less likely to engage in violence?

Young people with mentors feel more competent about their ability to do well in school and report more positive relationships with friends and parents. Isn’t it amazing that one hour of your time a week can make such a difference!

During National Mentoring Month in January why not consider becoming a mentor? Visit www.volunteerswmi.org explore volunteer opportunities or call 983-0912 or 683-5464. Do you remember who mentored you?  Why not thank them by considering mentoring in 2012!

Adults

• Save a Stray is an all volunteer animal advocacy group committed to the rescue and re-homing of dogs and cats and dedicated to decreasing the pet overpopulation. You can foster an animal in your home providing socialization and helping assess their needs. If you are thinking about adopting a pet it is a great way to learn if you are ready to make a long-term commitment to a pet.

• Tri County Headstart serves children and families in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties and they have classrooms in Bangor, Benton Harbor, Bloomingdale, Cassopolis, Coloma, Decatur, Dowagiac, Gobles, Hartford, Lawton, New Troy, Niles and South Haven.  Join the one closest to you and help work with 3- and 4-year-old children in a preschool setting. You can assist with any or all activities such as: working with children on reading, writing, science, math, and motor skills; enjoying dramatic play and outdoor activities with the children; promoting health and wellness for children and their families. If you would rather do something at home you can help prepare items for the classroom by cutting out items, preparing materials for the teacher, etc.

• The American Red Cross stands ready to serve in time of a disaster. Are you ready to serve?  How often do you question your preparedness? We have a nuclear power plant in our backyard. Tornadoes, floods, ice storms and earthquakes are all potential natural disasters. The American Red Cross is working on being prepared and is looking for volunteers to increase their level of preparedness. Please join them for Disaster Services Overview training — a course where you will learn about what the Red Cross’s role is in your community and about the volunteer opportunities available to you. Call today to register at (269) 556-9619 for the training on Friday from 6 to 9 p.m.

Come and learn with no obligation to volunteer … although we hope you choose to get involved!

• Lake Michigan College’s Mendel Center is offering a very fun volunteer opportunity at their Winter Delights Wine Festival on Saturday, Jan. 21 from 5 to 9 p.m. Volunteers will report at 4 p.m. for training and orientation from local wineries. Learn about wine and have fun as you pour wine at a booth.  Volunteers will be given breaks to tour the event and will receive six food-tasting tickets. Black or navy slacks and a white collared shirt required. Comfortable shoes for standing are recommended.

Blood banks need you to donate over the holidays! Donations drop off dramatically and you are needed. Why not make it part of your holiday tradition.

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross

• Wednesday, Jan. 18 — American Red Cross offices, 3838 Niles Rd., St. Joseph,  11 a.m. to 4:45 p.m.

• Wednesday, Jan. 18 — Decatur High School, 110 Cedar, Decatur, 11:30 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

For a complete listing and to schedule an appointment visit www.berrienredcross.org.

Michigan Blood

• Wednesday, Jan. 11 — Bridgman Public Library Community Room, 4460 Lake St., 1 to 5 p.m.

• Wednesday, Jan. 11 — River Valley High School Library, 15480 Three Oaks Rd., Three Oaks, 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.

Adults and youth

• Are you off school and work on Martin Luther King Day? Would you like to be part of an effort to honor his memory and promote volunteerism? Visit www.volunteerswmi.org to learn how you can volunteer that day and help combat hunger.

Families, youth and everyone!

• Are you looking for ways to involve your family in service to your community over the holidays? How about decorating bags to feed the hungry? Here are the steps: 1. Gather bags at your house or ask your grocery store for some (paper is the best to decorate). 2. Decorate your bags. 3. Drop off bags at Volunteer Center offices in St. Joseph or Niles before MLK Day by Jan. 12. 4. Tell your group congratulations on helping feed the hungry! Your bags will be distributed at Martin Luther King Events (Jan. 16) at Lake Michigan College and at Calvary Baptist Church in Niles.

Your beautiful bags will inspire others to go shopping to help feed the hungry and to purchase other household items families struggle to buy such as toothpaste, deodorant, toilet paper, laundry soap, etc. A volunteer will take your decorated bag and purchase items to fill it, deliver the bag to a food pantry and then a family will receive your bag to take their items home in. Your bag will travel and make a difference! Of course you can also fill one of your decorated bags yourself. This is a perfect opportunity for a family, Sunday school class or any group.