By Staff
ADULTS
THE SOUTHWESTERN MICHIGAN COLLEGE MUSEUM preserves the history of the college district and instills an appreciation of that history with artifacts. Volunteers are invited to help enhance visitors' experiences at the Museum by greeting them and explaining some of the exhibits. Volunteer school program leaders are also encouraged to participate with school-aged children by helping to supervise those groups during tours. If you are available one day a week between Tuesday and Friday, please call the Volunteer Center.
BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS OF BERRIEN AND CASS, in cooperation with the Dowagiac Union Schools, plans to establish Lunch Buddy Mentoring Programs at Patrick Hamilton and McKinley elementary schools this fall. Lunch Buddies are adult mentors volunteers who have lunch once a week throughout the school year with an elementary students on school premises. After lunch the volunteer and the child can talk, play a game or read a book, all in one hour or less.
A "Big" becomes a trusted friend, caring mentor and life-changing role model. He or she can encourage discovery of interests and talents and ultimately help the "Little" grow into a confident, capable, contributing adult. To connect, call the Volunteer Center.
HOSPICE AT HOME provides caring attention to terminally ill patients and their families. Hospice is offering a 7-week Fall Orientation Program in Stevensville for prospective Office and Patient Care volunteers with a tentative starting date of Thursday, Sept. 8, and continuing on consecutive Thursdays from 1:30-4 p.m. through October 20th. Trained patient care volunteers work with patients and their families, providing respite services; writing letters; running errands; and providing transportation when needed. Office volunteers need only complete four of the seven weekly sessions.
LAKELAND HOSPITAL in St. Joseph welcomes volunteers interested in assisting patients in the Emergency Room or driving the courtesy cart from the parking lot to the front door of the hospital. Both positions are available during daytime hours Monday through Friday in 2-4 hour shifts.
Community members are invited to participate in the BERRIEN COUNTY COURT'S COMMUNITY RESTORATIVE BOARD, an organization that works with youth and families that are first-time, low risk offenders.Volunteers may serve on the volunteer panel that hears cases and makes recommendations about community service for the offenders. Training will be held in late August for interested parties.
THE BERRIEN COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS provides many important services to residents of this area. One of those is the blood drives they conduct on a regular basis: Tuesday, Sept. 6, Michigan Christian Embassy, 1922 Main St., Niles – noon-5:45 Tuesday, Sept. 6, Harbert Community Church, 6344 Harbert Rd., Sawyer-12:30-6:15 Tuesday, Sept. 14, Courtyard by Marriott, Mall Dr., Benton Harbor – noon-5:45 p.m.
ADULTS AND YOUTH
THE NILES-BUCHANAN YMCA provides activities that build mind, body and spirit for all. If you would like to be part of their volunteer team, there are lots of things you can do - from helping with running events to coaching a youth team. There are lots of events coming up this fall, and you can be a part of it.
FAMILIES
As you and your children shop for school supplies, why not consider buying an extra set of the items you purchase to donate to your child's school.
Some children who cannot afford those items will be delighted to have them. If you can only afford a few extra crayons or a notebook, that would be great, as well.
YOUTH
Do you enjoy working on independent projects? Are you a whiz on the computer? If so, UNITED WAY OF SOUTHWEST MICHIGAN has a great project you might like. The United Way maintains a database of civic organizations that should be updated yearly. This would include some telephone calls, a little digging, and some time working on the database. And, even better, you can come in to the office after school or you can do the work from you home.
To connect, call the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan at (269) 683-5464.