By Staff
ADULTS AND YOUTH
It's not too early to begin saving pennies for the Pennies for Patients event that the BERRIEN COUNTY CANCER SERVICE will hold in late spring. Each year thousands of dollars are raised for this organization through the collection of pennies alone! Schools, businesses, faith communities and service clubs, to say nothing of families and neighborhoods, can begin now to collect pennies from junk drawers, change jars, forgotten coat pockets and other fruitful locations.
ADULTS
THE BERRIEN COUNTY COUNCIL FOR CHILDREN is dedicated to shaping a community that shields children from abuse and neglect.  The organization would welcome a volunteer who could provide occasional technical support for both computer hardware and software, particularly around the issue of networking.  In addition, the organization would love to have help in recreating its website.
THE THERAPEUTIC EQUESTRIAN CENTER in Buchanan enhances the lives of people with special needs through horse-related activities. The organization would welcome the support of two volunteer managers who would oversee a reliable volunteer force; recruit and train new volunteers; and maintain records. The time commitment for each would be approximately eight hours per week, with some work done via e-mail.
VOLUNTEER ADVOCATES FOR S-O-S OF MADISON CENTER, the rape crisis center for Michiana, will conduct it next training starting in late January. Volunteer Advocates provide crisis intervention to victims of sexual assault and domestic violence on the phone and in person.
HARBOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY provides homes in partnership with families living in substandard housing. Beginning in mid-January, HHH welcomes volunteer construction volunteers who can work anytime between 9 a.m. and 4 pm on any day Monday through Saturday. Both skilled and unskilled volunteers are welcome as there is satisfying work for everyone.
THE MICHIGAN PRISONER REENTRY PROGRAM believes that every inmate released from prison should have the tools needed to succeed in the community. Volunteer mentors work with one former inmate to provide guidance and support as they rebuild their lives in the community. The time commitment is one hour per week for a minimum of one year.
THREE ANGELS MISSION OPERATION provides emergency assistance, education and spiritual guidance for low income youth and families at risk in inner city Benton Harbor. Volunteers are invited to serve as executive secretary one day a week or more, any day Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The volunteers would be meeting clients, giving directions to the office, and answering the telephone.
LAKELAND HOSPITAL in St. Joseph welcomes volunteer drivers for the Courtesy Carriage shuttle that delivers patients and visitors from the parking lot to the front entrance and vice versa. Days and hours are flexible.
THE BERRIEN COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS reports that Berrien County residents use more blood products than we donate.Let's change that! The next Blood drive will be coming to your area soon.
FAMILIES
Now that the holidays seem like a distant memory, many local food banks are experiencing shortages of foodstuffs. Have the family help empty your pantry and donate unneeded canned goods and other items to the food bank of your choice. You might even want to make it a neighborhood-wide project so everyone can get involved.
YOUTH
HOSPICE AT HOME, with offices in Berrien County and in South Haven, provides special training for youth who would like to help provide services for patients and families who are experiencing terminal illness. Use your skills to assist the office staff with mailings, newsletters and other clerical tasks.  Or help with fundraising and special events.  Required training is provided.
Do you love the smell of grease paint and the roar of the crowd?  TWIN CITY PLAYERS strives to provide a live theater experience that benefits and culturally enriches the community. Be an usher for productions or work the concession stand. Be a stagehand or even an actor.
To connect on these opportunties, call the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan in Niles at (269) 683-5464.