By Staff
SPOTLIGHT OF THE WEEK
Are you interested in helping individuals experience a dignified, peaceful and sacred death? Hospice at Home provides comprehensive and supportive care to terminally ill persons and their families. As a friendly visitor your good listening skills and compassion are important as you visit with patients in their home or in the nursing home. Many hospice patients enjoy sharing their life stories, playing cards, listening to music or just discussing present and/or past events. Volunteer hours are flexible, but you must be dependable because patients and their families will be counting on you.
ADULTS
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 medical appointments. Clients are from Berrien, Cass and VanBuren counties. Transport drivers volunteer primarily during the daytime and mileage is reimbursed. Volunteers will need to provide a copy of their driver's license and proof of automobile insurance.
There are many ways to give of your time, talents, and treasures. Do you give the United Way? During annual campaign time you may hear about the United Way, but do you understand what that really means? The United Way identifies needs in our local community and then invests your dollars in nonprofit agencies to meet those needs. The United Way is a great way to give your treasure through payroll deduction or a one time contribution.
Do you have a passion for artistic expression? Do you enjoy being surrounded by creative and interesting people?
You can get involved even if you yourself are not an artist. The Krasl Art Center brings people and art together in many ways including their annual Hollymarket Oct. 20 to 25. Volunteers can choose from many fun opportunities.
Nearly 70 percent of people need a blood transfusion in their lifetime, yet only 5 percent of those eligible give blood. Donate lifesaving blood today!
BERRIEN COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS blood drives:
Thursday, Oct. 18 – Mt. Calvary Baptist Church, 601 Ferry St., Niles: noon to 5:45 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org
MICHIGAN COMMUNITY BLOOD CENTER blood drives:
Saturday, Oct. 20 – Buchanan Middle School, 610 W. 4th St.: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org
ADULTS AND YOUTH
Do you ever wish you could travel back in time? Are you fascinated with local history and its impact on your community? The North Berrien Historical Museum with its buildings and interesting collection of artifacts may be your next volunteer home. As a museum attendant you will create a friendly atmosphere by welcoming visitors, answering the phone and giving tours.
You will also help out with some light cleaning and special projects as they come up.You can choose to work Wednesdays, Thursdays, or Fridays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
If you are more interested in being outdoors you can create historic gardens and learn about native plants by becoming a garden volunteer. Pick your own hours to research native species; plan gardens; and plant, weed and water. You need to be an experienced gardener for this project.
Shily's Promise Youth Ranch provides a place of refuge where youth are empowered through guided interaction with rescued horses. You can help make this happen and build your muscles by being an equestrian clean up volunteer. Yes, this is a fancy way of saying pooper scooper, but it is an essential part of making the magic between a horse and a child happen. After clean up duty is done there will be other more fun ways to also get involved.
FAMILIES
Um the smell of home baked cookies on a fall day. Why not make a double batch with your kids … some for the family and some for the local women's shelter? Safe Shelter provides safety and empowerment to survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault. Everyone appreciates baked goods to munch on at the support group meetings.
Contact the Volunteer Center at www.volunteerswmi.org or call 269-683-5464.