In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, file will publish opportunities for volunteers each week. To find out about these or other volunteer opportunities, please call 983-0912 in the St. Joseph-Benton Harbor area, 683-5464 in the Niles area; visit our Web site at www.volunteerswmi.org; or e-mail us at volunteer@volunteerswmi. org for further information. To arrange an appointment, please call ahead. Appointments do not constitute an obligation to accept a volunteer opportunity. The center is a United Way partner agency.

Spotlight of the Week
• Did you miss National Family Volunteer Day in November? No problem, come to another family volunteer event sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan at the Cassopolis Library on Saturday, Jan. 23 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Hands-on activities will be available for all ages. You and your children can make cards for veterans, make a kitty toy for a cat in a shelter or choose from six other booths of activities. You will learn about community needs and make a difference together. Assistance is also needed in setting up, helping at the event and cleaning up afterward. This event is possible thanks to a grant from Disney Parks.

Adults
• Who mentored you?  January is National Mentoring Month and why not make it part of your new year’s resolutions to consider becoming a mentor or talking to others about becoming a mentor.  You can contact the Volunteer Center for information on mentoring programs in your area.  You can also request materials to post at your work place, library, house of worship or other location to encourage others to become mentors.  Our children need mentors!

• Harbor Harvest Urban Ministries’ (HHUM) in Benton Harbor mission is to meet immediate physical, emotional and spiritual needs while also working to change conditions and attitudes in individuals, community and society which create human need.  HHUM has several mentoring programs including a program for boys and one for girls in the 6th grade reaching them at an important stage in their lives.

• Lakeland Hospice is offering an orientation session for new volunteers on Thursday, February 25th with sign in at 9 a.m.  Learn about the different areas that you can volunteer for and the important role you as a volunteer can play in supporting patients and families during end of life care.

• The Museum at Southwestern Michigan College collects and preserves artifacts related to the history of the College District and interprets this history through exhibits, school tours and programs.  The first person visitors meet is the friendly volunteer at the front desk who can answer their general questions.  The volunteer schedule is flexible.  Museum hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 1p.m. and 1 to 5 p.m. with some variation possible.

• Memorial Hospital of South Bend wants you to be their “people mover.”  If you have a smiling face and are safety conscious, you can drive the people mover to various areas of the hospital.  You must be over 18 and complete orientation and training.

• The Salvation Army meets local community needs. In Niles, lunch is served on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Volunteers make it all possible by helping anytime between 9:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Work can include preparing food, setting up, and cleaning up.

• Habitat for Humanity in South Haven makes it possible for low income families to have an affordable, quality home of their own. Even if you don’t swing a hammer you can assist by helping organize other volunteers including: recruiting, scheduling, and coordinating.  Your work can be done on your own schedule, but you will need to attend monthly board meetings.

• Did you know that low income working families including those who have lost their job during this past year, are eligible to get their taxes done for free by volunteers and may be eligible for earned income tax credits? These same families would normally pay hundreds of dollars to preparers; money that could be used for groceries, utilities, rent, etc.!  You can be one the volunteers that makes this possible through the EITC (Earned Income Tax Coalition) sponsored by Southwest Michigan Community Action Agency.  You can attend a training in person in January or take the IRS training online.  No prior experience required just a willingness to learn. If taxes aren’t your thing, you can help greet people and make sure they have the proper documents with them. Remember you can play an important role just in telling others about this important service.  Wouldn’t it feel good to feel like you are the one putting money in the pockets of families in our community?
Live your new year’s resolutions … donate your blood today!

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross
Tues. Feb. 16 – St. Mark’s Catholic Church, 3 North 19th St., Niles, noon to 5:45 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org

Michigan Blood (formerly known as Michigan Community Blood Centers)
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.

Adults and youth
• Be a part of the largest annual juried art show in Southwest Michigan and Northwest Indiana when you serve on a Box Factory for the Arts committee. You can work on fundraising, receiving of art, curating or on the opening reception.

• If your holiday shopping is all done and you are starting to miss the stores, why not volunteer at one of the local thrift shops? There are many in the area supporting different important causes. Helping Hands of Cass County provides emergency food, clothing or household items to people in crisis. You can volunteer to help at the sales counter and on the floor arranging merchandise and helping customers. Training will be provided and volunteers over 15 are welcome. The store is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.