In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, we 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
• If you take 10 minutes and answer 10 questions you can personally raise $10,000 for your community. You can volunteer to raise this money by filling out the census. It only takes 10 minutes. For every person not counted our community loses $10,000 over the next 10 years in federal program dollars that can help you and your neighbors have better roads, education and health care. For every 10 people not counted that is $1 million in lost funding. Volunteer 10 minutes of your time and fill out your form. Why not volunteer another 10 minutes and contact someone else and make sure they understand how important this is? Know any snowbirds? Tell them to get counted in Michigan! More information at www.census.gov.

Families
• You can help the Volunteer Center recognize volunteers a whole new way this year! Craig Tornquist’s Family Comedy night will celebrate local volunteers on Saturday, April 24 at the Niles High School Auditorium. You can hang up posters at local schools and businesses so that families will find out about this event and then you will attend as our guest!

• The 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 is wrapping up. Nonperishable items for the baskets are still needed. Drop off at either Volunteer Center office in Niles or St. Joseph.

Adults
• Be a recycling superstar! Do “all things recycling” at the fifth grade Natural Resource Day event. Assist in recycling presentations, model recycled fashions, create recycled envelopes and other fun activities with the students. No prior experience necessary.

Events will happen Wednesday and Thursday, April 21 and 22 from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Berrien County Youth Fairgrounds. Volunteers should be at least 15. You can also choose to be part of the Earth Day Crew that will handle setup from 9 to 11 a.m. Tuesday, April 20. You will set up event stations, wipe down tables and benches, create hand signs and prepare goodie bags for the 1,000 fifth-graders coming out to learn and have fun.

• Red Bud Area Ministries provides food, clothing and assistance to families in Buchanan and Galien. You can make a difference by working in the office answering the phone, greeting clients, keeping the log and setting appointments. You will be the welcoming, friendly face to those in need. The office is open Tuesdays through Fridays in the mornings and you can volunteer a couple times a month or more. All training is provided.
• 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.

• 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-clean up or a holiday activity or whatever idea you have! Make the shelter brighter and improve residents’ lives.

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)
Monday, March 29 – New Buffalo High School Gym/Track, 1112 East Clay St., 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 30 – Berrien Regional Educational Services, conference rooms B and C, 711 St. Joseph St., Berrien Springs, 9 a.m.  to 3 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.