By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Art, sun, music, water and of course food! What more is there? Help bring people and art together at the fabulous Krasl Art Fair on the Bluff on July 14 and 15 in St. Joseph. Volunteers can choose between sales, concessions, parking lot control, the children's tent and many other opportunities. Sign up for a three hour shift and come be one of the 300 volunteers who enjoy making this event an annual success.
ADULTS
Can you imagine struggling to read this column or not being able to read at all? The Community Partnership for Lifelong Learning is working to improve community systems that impact learning and workforce competitiveness. In conjunction with Western Michigan University they are offering tutoring for adults learning to read. Volunteers will receive 12 hours of training and should be willing to tutor an adult 1 to 2 hours a week.
Summer is not a quiet time at the Tri County Head Start offices in Paw Paw. They spend the summer preparing for fall classes and enrolling children from all over Berrien, Cass, and VanBuren counties. As a volunteer clerical assistant you will be essential in making sure all the needed information is ready to go! You should be able to volunteer a minimum of four hours a week Tuesdays through Fridays anytime between 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. You should already have data entry experience, but will receive training on using the office's computer system. You may also assist with other office duties including copying, filing, and phoning families.
Do you remember the excitement you felt as a kid when you were deciding just what to give your Dad for Father's Day? Would you make him a pencil holder or color a picture? Thousands of kids have no male role models. In honor of your father why not contact the Volunteer Center and explore what it means to mentor? The Volunteer Center has an extensive list of mentoring programs in Berrien, Cass and VanBuren Counties. Make your dad proud…mentor a child.
CARES works to maximize the quality of life for all persons afflicted with HIV. You can improve the quality of life for one specific person when you provide transportation to life saving medical care. Reimbursement for mileage is available. Driver's license and proof of insurance are required.
MICHIGAN COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER blood drives:
Monday, June 18 – Berrien Center Bible Church, 8830 State Rte. 140: 1 to 7 p.m.
Saturday, June 23 – Niles Masonic Lodge, 227 E. Main St., Niles: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Pears Mill is a southwest Michigan historic treasure. The Buchanan Preservation Society is an all volunteer organization that preserves, restores, and shows to the public this 19th century, operational, water-powered flour mill. Volunteer opportunities are on weekends and include giving 15 minute tours of the Mill for visitors or staffing the gift shop. Training will be provided. Monthly Saturday 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. work days are a chance to use your carpentry skills or assist in other ways.
Humane Society of Southwest Michigan in Benton Harbor provides shelter and care for sick, homeless, abused and unwanted animals. As a volunteer receptionist you will be the face and voice for the Humane Society.
FAMILIES
Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve in Niles is a beautiful place to volunteer as a family. If your children are over the age of 9, you can sign up to monitor the Bluebird trail. Once a month or more you will check the 17 bluebird nest boxes to collect data on species, nesting, eggs, hatchlings and fledglings.
YOUTH
Fun in the Sun! Party on the Beach! You can be part of the music, food, art and action at our many local festivals. You can direct parking and people, sell t-shirts and tickets, give information and smiles any weekend this summer.