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.

Half Note Half Marathon seeking volunteers

The Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra is looking for volunteers for the Half Note Half Marathon and 5K Race. Volunteers are needed to support race logistics such as distributing registration packets, water and aid station support, course monitors, and award assistance. The Half Note Half Marathon and 5K Race will be hosted Sunday, Sept. 15. The race is a fundraiser that benefits programming at the Southwest Michigan Symphony Orchestra. For more information or to sign up, visit uwsm.org/volunteer.

Alleviate weekend hunger for children

Feeding His Sheep Backpack Program is an outreach program that provides balanced and nutritional meals to elementary children over the weekends. The program needs delivery drivers, delivery assistants, pick-up drivers and pick-up assistants. The delivery driver is responsible for the delivery of backpacks every Thursday to area schools in southeast Berrien County and Cass County. The pick-up drivers are responsible for the pick-up of the empty backpacks every Monday. The assistants are responsible for helping the delivery and pick-up drivers. Background check is required. For more information, visit uwsm.org/volunteers.

Serve on a board

The Domestic Violence Coalition is looking for volunteer board members. Meetings are the first Tuesday of every month from 5:30 to 7 p.m. in Paw Paw. Through this work, volunteers can meaningfully contribute to serving an organization and its mission. For position details, visit uwsm.org/volunteer.

Rake A Difference

Before winter hits, raking the yard and cleaning the gutters is a vital step to ensuring spring snow melt does not cause water damage to a home or lawn. Many area seniors try to accomplish this work on their own, putting them at risk for falls and serious injury, said United Way officials. On Thursday, Nov. 7 and Friday, Nov. 8, volunteers are being sought to join hundreds of Berrien, Cass and Van Buren County volunteers who will give area seniors a helping hand. Gather co-workers or friends and create a team to rake and bag leaves, and clean gutters for seniors as part of United Way’s ninth annual Rake A Difference: A Day of Action for Seniors. For more information or to sign up, visit uwsm.org/volunteer.

Be part of the art

The mission of the Buchanan Art Center is to provide a place in the community dedicated to nurturing the arts by providing a quality educational program for all ages, as well as gallery exhibits, sales opportunities, and a gift shop that are supportive of class offerings and local artists, thereby enabling the center to creatively enlist the power of the arts in promoting positive social change, according to officials. For anyone who loves the arts and wants to volunteer, the Buchanan Art Center has an environment for them to be a part of. Whether its visitor services and reception, being a docent or serving on one of its event committees, there are plenty of places that a volunteer can fit their skills. For more information, or to sign up, visit uwsm.org/volunteer.