By Staff
ADULTS
Everyone is wondering how to help the victims of Hurricane Katrina. One of the best ways, according to the BERRIEN COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS, is to be prepared in your own region of the country.
The Red Cross needs 60 volunteers to be trained in Basic Disaster Preparedness classes which are being scheduled immediately for individuals who:
1.Have a valid driver's license with no restrictions
2. Can lift 50 pounds
3. Have no health restrictions
4. Have no criminal background (this will be checked)
5. Can commit to 7-10 consecutive days to be away from home
6. Have health insurance coverage
Classes will be taken in the following order: Introduction to Disaster and Red Cross Orientation; Mass Care Overview; Shelter Operations; Shelter Simulation. To connect, call the Red Cross directly at 927.2288. Your help is needed
THE ST. JOSEPH-LINCOLN TOWNSHIP SENIOR CENTER provides safe, friendly and positive social educational and recreational services to enhance the independence of older citizens in the area. Volunteers are invited to become drivers for clients who no longer drive and need to get to medical appointments, the Senior Center and to necessary shopping. Vehicles are provided by the Senior Center. If you have a clean driving record and would like to support this service by volunteering one or more days a week of your choice for 3 or 4 hours.
LIGHTHOUSE HOSPICE serves Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties, providing quality end-of-life care to those in need. Volunteers are encouraged to become a part of this important work by providing pet or music therapy, patient visitations, community outreach or office support. If available on any weekday, your time would be a gift.
THE BENTON HARBOR STREET MINISTRY GED sessions are held Monday through Thursday from 8:30 a.m. to noon. Students would welcome the support of volunteers to tutor them in English, math, science, social studies and reading on one of those days each week.
THE BERRIEN COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS invites you to participate in one of its blood drives this month:
Tueday, Oct. 11 - Whittaker Woods Golf Course, New Buffalo – noon to 5:45 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 15 - E.P. Clark School, 515 Glenlord, St. Joseph - 9a.m to 2:45 p.m.
ADULTS AND YOUTH
THE HUMAN SERVICES COORDINATING COUNCIL in Cass County works to see that all families have the resources to provide safe and loving resources for children. The council would welcome volunteer phone surveyors and data entry specialists who can work on any weekday from 3 to 5 p.m. in Cassopolis.
They would be updating the list of existing services in the county that could be accessed by families.
THE YWCA OF BERRIEN COUNTY provides fitness classes for seniors once a week at sites in Berrien Springs, Paw Paw; Benton Harbor, South Haven; Covert, and St. Joseph. The YWCA will provide training and certify all volunteer instructors. If you have one hour a week that you can spare to keep folks limber.
THE SALVATION ARMY CORPS COMMUNITY CENTER in Benton Harbor provides a Homework Room what meets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 4 to 6 p.m. throughout the school year. Children in first through eighth grades can receive assistance from volunteers with their homework assignments and develop weaker skill areas. A quiet, supervised education setting is equipped with learning materials under the direction of a retired teacher
FAMILIES
THE CASS COUNTY PARKS DEPARTMENT is hosting a Halloween event on Saturday, Oct. 15, in Vandalia. Families are invited to be part of the Halloween event support staff on that day between 5 p.m. and 9 p.m. Volunteers will be greeting visitors; overseeing the children's fun trail, and helping with concessions
YOUTH
THE SALVATION ARMY CORPS COMMUNITY CENTER in Benton Harbor maintains an Elementary After School Tutoring Program for Benton Harbor students in the first, second and third grades.Volunteers are invited to serve as aides to the staff teacher on any day of the week, Monday through Thursday, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. Volunteers would work with one, two or a small group of children to develop mentoring relationships.
Call the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan in Niles to volunteer at (269) 683-5464.