By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Last year, volunteers assisted Lest We Forget in gathering stories from veterans with the eventual goal of publishing a book of veteran's stories of Southwest Michigan. There are still more stories to gather, so volunteers are needed to assist with the Berrien County Veterans History Project that was started last summer.
Lest We Forget is working with the Library of Congress Veterans History Project in the collection of stories and to date over 75 stories have been obtained. Volunteers will assist by conducting interviews with veterans of WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm and current conflicts typing manuscripts and transcribing taped interviews. The project also seeks stories from those on the home front. The goal is the production of the book "Wartime Reflections of SW Michigan Residents" by Dec. 1, 2007.
ADULTS
Do you have any free time? Do you have an interest in information about the gridiron? College Football Hall of Fame, South Bend, Ind. informs the public of the facts and achievements of college football athletics. They are doing a massive ticket mailing this week. Volunteers are asked to be able to attend to the task at hand and follow instructions.
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.
Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries in Benton Harbor is impacting the lives of youth. Many different types of volunteers make their services possible. Harbor Harvest has an opportunity for a qualified individual to assume the position of volunteer administrative support. You would assist the treasurer in completing all financial aspects of operating HHUM. You would also be involved in transaction filing, assisting in developing a web page and grant writing.
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Sometimes when children have been through turmoil a gentle smile and someone else's laughter can make the difference for them and their families. The staff from the Safe Shelter, a domestic violence shelter holds support groups around the county. One of these support groups will be held in Niles and they need assistance with child care. These support groups are for women who have recently been in crisis or may still be. Assisting with child care is a great way to help get a woman and her family back on their feet. Sessions will be on Wednesdays, from 5-6:30 p.m. Another group will start in July in Berrien Springs.
FAMILIES
Gateway, Inc. provides therapeutic services and vocational training for disabled individuals of all ages. They provide miracles everyday for people who strive to learn and grow but do it just a bit differently than many of us. Gateway is seeking volunteers to help with their MIRACLE SOFTBALL MARATHON which will be held on July 27 and 28 at Plangger's Field in Benton Harbor. They need people to be greeters, run concessions, help their food vendor run the concessions, help clean the fields. They also need folks who can do the announcing for the games. No training is involved. They need volunteers who will show up for the two hour shifts and who can greet or handle money.
YOUTH
YWCA of Berrien County will be running a swimming program at the Charles Gray Center in Benton Harbor on Thursday afternoons from 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. Volunteers would be of great help checking in children for the program and assisting children in the locker rooms as needed. On Saturday mornings throughout the summer from 9:45 to noon youth volunteers can help the Water Safety Instructor with swim lessons. Red Cross certification is a plus. The YWCA also has a Summer Camp Program, volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Duties include assisting with daily activities and field trips. Volunteers can come anytime during the hours of operation (6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.) but must first apply and submit to a background check.