Each week, United Way of Southwest Michigan releases a list of volunteer opportunities in the southwest Michigan area. To learn more about these opportunities, visit uwsm.org.

School Supply Spectacular seeking volunteers

United Way of Southwest Michigan is partnering with businesses and organizations in Cass County to present the annual School Supply Spectacular. The event will provide backpacks with age-appropriate school supplies to any student in need throughout Cass County. The volunteer shifts cover three days, Tuesday Aug. 13, Friday Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17 at Brookside Learning Center in Cassopolis. Individual, team and group volunteer signups are now open. For more information, or to sign up, visit volunteer.uwsm.org.

Chamber of commerce seeks volunteers

The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to assist with parking, cleanup and various other needs for the annual City of Niles Firework Spectacular. Individuals and teams from area businesses and organizations are welcome to come join. There will be a volunteer picnic at 3:30 p.m. to express gratitude for volunteers’ time and energy. Volunteers will gather at the Apple Festival Community Building at 4:30 p.m. for general instructions regarding the event. Gates open at 6 p.m., and fireworks will commence at dusk. For more information, or to sign up, visit volunteer.uwsm.org.

Read to area children

United Way of Southwest Michigan and Be Healthy Berrien present Read Up, a new addition to the Meet Up and Eat Up Program. “Read Up” will give children access to books while experiencing the power of storytelling through a reading volunteer, who reads stories to kids at area “Meet Up, Eat Up” sites. Volunteers will take a wagon full of books as a mini mobile library to various meal time sites in Dowagiac and Niles so kids can pick books to take home after story time and grow their reading skills. Background checks are required. For more information, or to sign up, visit volunteer.uwsm.org.

Salvation Army seeking volunteers

The Salvation Army Niles Corps is looking for volunteers to assist with the Lunch Bunch community meal on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. The volunteers will assist with preparing, serving and clean-up. All volunteers will be required to take the ServSafe Foodhandler course. To help those who are experiencing food insecurity or to learn more, visit volunteer.uwsm.org.

YMCA seeks registered nurse

The YMCA of Southwest Michigan is in need of a registered nurse willing to volunteer his or her time at Just For You Night Out to help provide minor medical assistance, if needed, for special needs participants who may not otherwise be able to participate. Just For You Night Out is a Saturday evening at the Niles-Buchanan YMCA and is designed for individuals ages 16 and up with special needs. Participants will come for an evening of swimming and physical activity, plus a great chance to forge lasting friendships. A healthy snack and dinner are included. Personal, medical information and emergency contact information will be collected for each participant. More information, visit volunteer.uwsm.org.