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
Do you know a volunteer hero? There is still time to nominate them for awards to be presented during National Volunteer Week in April. Please also consider nominating a business whose employees have made a big impact. Visit www.volunteerswmi.org for all forms.

Families
• Run a drive to collect items for 350 Easter baskets to be created for all the children in the foster care system and for children staying at local shelters in Berrien County when you volunteer as the Easter Bunny’s assistant.  Set up your drive at your school, house of worship, place of employment, business or other approved location. Contact the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan to learn all the details and receive your publicity materials. This project meant so much to kids in foster care and to kids in shelters last year! This project qualifies for the Give A Day Get a Day Disney program.  Visit www.disneyparks.com for more information.

• Community Day at Orchards Mall in Benton Harbor is March 6 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Stop by the Community Room to do hands on projects appropriate for all ages with the Volunteer Center. You can create cards for fellow volunteers, make decorations for the annual recognition luncheon for community volunteers and participate in other activities.  This qualifies for Disney’s Give a Day Get a Day. Visit www.disneyparks.com for more information.

Adults
• Be an event planner! You choose the event and with the approval of the Safe Shelter staff bring your idea to fruition. Impact the women and children staying at the shelter by planning and overseeing a one time event such as a spring cleanup or a holiday activity or whatever idea you have! Make the shelter brighter and improve resident’s lives.

• Do you like to drive?  Berrien County Cancer Services wants you to drive patients to and from medical appointments. You must be over 18 and times vary for transporting patients.

• Do you consider yourself a handyman or handywoman? Are you a painter, electrician, plumber or general fixer upper with duct tape? There are many volunteer opportunities that could put your skills to use whether it is one time, on a regular basis or as part of an on-call system. Many nonprofits are in old buildings that need regular fixing up and many also have clients who need assistance at their homes, but are unable to do this work for themselves.  Some nonprofits are in old buildings because they want to be! The History Center at Courthouse Square is one such place where your skills will help preserve our local culture. Call the Volunteer Center and we will help you figure out where you can be someone’s volunteer hero!
Blood saves lives.  Donate today!

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org.

Michigan Blood (formerly known as Michigan Community Blood Centers)
• Wednesday, March 17 – Edwardsburg High School, Old Gym, 6410 Section St., 7:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
o Thursday, March 18 – Coloma High School, All Purpose Room, 300 West St. Joseph, 7:45 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.

Adult and youth
• Back to School Event: Yes, you read correctly!  It is not too early to start planning when you are running the 3rd annual School Supply Spectacular which last year gave away 1,500 free backpacks stuffed with school supplies to underprivileged students in Cass County School District (Lewis Cass Intermediate School District). The economy continues to hit families hard so help to make the 2010 project a reality. If you would like to be involved with a project with a more immediate time frame, you can volunteer to help with registration, setting up food, or running a booth for the 7th annual Parent Expo on Tuesday, March 23 from 4 to 8 p.m.

o?Se habla Español? Several agencies such as the Safe Shelter could use your assistance.  Safe Shelter clients are leaving a domestic violence situation and would greatly appreciate being able to receive assistance in their native language.

o It’s that time of year already. Relay for Life wants you to help with this year’s planning by joining their local committee. Find out more at www.volunteerswmi.org.

• Lakeland Hospice offers diverse opportunities such as: administrative work, driving patients to appointments, helping patients feel beautiful or creating scrapbooks for family memories.  Learn about these opportunities and more at orientations on March 11 and 22, or April 15 and 19. Some sessions are daytime and some are evening. Registration is required.
• Emergency Shelter in Benton Harbor offers monthly meetings to encourage and support current and former clients of the homeless shelter with adults and children meeting separately. This is a special time for continuing education and encouragement. Meetings are in the evening on the last Wednesday of the month. Be a F.R.I.E.N.D.S Supporter and contact them about how you can help.

Youth
• Youth volunteers will engage senior residents of Lakeland Continuing Care in St. Joseph in a variety of organized activities with a team leader on the first Saturday of each month, beginning Saturday, March 6 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. Volunteers should arrive 10 minutes early for instructions. This opportunity is open to youth in middle and in high school. Contact the Volunteer Center to learn more.