Niles will become ‘Downtown in Motion’
Published 5:41 pm Tuesday, June 20, 2006
By Staff
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Are you excited about the local arts scene in Southwest Michigan? The Niles Downtown in Motion Planning Committee invites you to make Downtown in Motion: A Celebration of the Arts a success. This festival will showcase the unique talents of area artisans and entertainers on June 23 and 24 in downtown Niles. Volunteer opportunities are too numerous to mention so grab 75 of your closest friends and contact the Volunteer Center.
Art, Sun, Music, Water, and of yes food! What more is there? Join the crowds at the Krasl Art Fair on the bluff in St. Joseph overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan on July 8 and 9. Volunteers can choose between sales, concessions, parking lot control, the children's tent and many other opportunities. Volunteers receive a free collectible T-shirt and are invited to an orientation party on June 28 at 6 p.m.
Safe Shelter of Benton Harbor provides safety and empowerment to victims of domestic violence and sexual assault. Volunteers are invited to assist with sorting and organizing donations.
Child and Family Services are offering Respite Summer Day Camps. Volunteers help foster the development of children with special needs, as well as, provide respite time for families. Camps run mid July through mid August. Opportunities are also available in the Senior Daycare.
Woodland Terrace Assisted Living's mission is to treat each resident with dignity and respect. Volunteers can participate with residents in activities and outings. Opportunities are available daytime, evening, weekend, and weekday.
ADULTS
The Community Alliance Against Substance Abuse seeks to eliminate substance abuse among youth. Adult Volunteer Advisors support, guide and facilitate Youth Advisory Councils in implementing drug awareness campaigns.
Who mentored you? By committing to mentoring an hour a week over six weeks this summer you can make a difference in the life of a Benton Harbor youth. “Keep it safe. Keep it Fun” is a joint project of Big Brothers, Big Sisters and The Council for World-Class Communities.
The VanBuren County Domestic Violence Coalition, Inc. assists families afflicted by domestic violence. You can help these families by receiving phone calls on your home phone or cell that are forwarded from the crisis line.
When you give blood you are literally giving life to another. There are many opportunities to give blood in Southwest Michigan. BERRIEN COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS blood drives:
Friday, June 30 - 1st Presbyterian Church, 13 S. Fourth St., Niles, noon - 5:45 p.m.
The Michigan Community Blood Center has a blood drive:
Everyday - Community Blood Donor Center, 3900 Hollywood Road, St. Joseph noon - 7 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org <http://www.miblood.org/>
FAMILIES
Learn about local history while you assist Friends of Oakridge Cemetery in Buchanan restore the old tombstones. Volunteers available on the second and fourth Saturday of the month can contact the Volunteer Center to connect.
YOUTH
The 10th annual Benton Harbor Children's Art Fair on July 8th offers many exciting volunteer opportunities for artists and non artists alike. Help children with art projects, do face painting, help at the information booth or bring your own art project to share!
#To connect with any of these volunteer opportunties, call the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan in Niles at (269) 683-5464.