Do you know how to develop websites and maintain web pages? Many nonprofits could use your help. One of those is Community Alliance Against Substance Abuse (CAASA). Their mission is to eliminate substance abuse among youth by identifying needs and strengthening organizations that provide substance abuse related services. This volunteer position can be done from home and once things are up and running would require approximately 2 hours a month.
Sometimes we forget that there are people, including children, who go hungry in our own backyard. United Way of Southwest Michigan’s Community Foodlink coordinates referrals to food pantries in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren Counties. Volunteering at the Benton Harbor office, you will handle these referrals over the phone and fax paperwork to the appropriate pantry. Volunteers are welcome Monday through Friday 8:30 – 5 however volunteers are especially needed on Fridays from 8:30 – 1 p.m. Good communication and computer skills required. Training will be provided.
Harbor Country Convention and Visitors Bureau in New Buffalo promotes Harbor Country as a major tourism destination. As a visitor center representative you will assist visitors with area tourism information including lodging, shopping, and outdoor recreation, area attractions and dining. Share your love of the area and help build a stronger economy. Why not give them a call today or stop by to learn more about why this matters so much.
Blood saves lives. Donate today!
BERRIEN COUNTY CHAPTER OF THE AMERICAN RED CROSS
For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org
MICHIGAN BLOOD
Wed. June 23 – Cass County Road Commission Conference Room, 340 N. O-Keefe St., Cassopolis: 9 a.m. - 3 p.m.
Thurs. June 24 – Bridgman Public Library Community Room, 4460 Lake St., Bridgman: 1 -5 p.m.
For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org
Youth
Youth Summer Serve is back bigger and better than ever! Worried that you won’t find a job this summer, but don’t want to be bored? Need something to put on job, college and scholarship applications that shows just how wonderful you are? Volunteering is the answer you have been looking for… plus it is fun! You can choose from hundreds of volunteer opportunities all over southwest Michigan. If you complete at least 40 hours by August you will be invited to a special party at Volunteer Day at the Berrien County Youth Fair. Contact Callie, youth volunteer coordinator at the Volunteer Center to learn more.
The Silver Beach Carousel is especially looking for youth volunteers like you to help with greeting and directing visitors, making and selling popcorn, helping riders, operating entrance and exit gates, and helping to enforce safety rules. The Carousel operates 7 days a week so there is a time slot to fit everyone’s schedule. Shifts are usually 3 hours long and require standing and walking.
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. 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.
ADULTS & YOUTH
Would you like to be Waste Warrior? Berrien County Resource and Recovery wants you to help at their household hazardous waste collection days. You will greet participants and make sure the waste gets to where it is suppose to go. A collection is happening Wednesday, June 16th from 3 – 7 p.m. at Lakeshore High School in Stevensville, but more are in the works.
Each community needs to be prepared for an emergency. The Berrien County Emergency Management office, along with the Berrien County Health Department is hosting an exercise where National Guard units can assess their readiness for emergencies and affirm their response to homeland security. On Wednesday morning, June 16, volunteers will be "actors" in the establishment of a Point of Distribution by the Health Department, as if there is a public health emergency and people need to come and receive medication. The medication will be simulated and no actual pharmaceuticals will be used during the exercise. This is a great opportunity for families, teens or adults. Just as in a real emergency, people come in all shapes and sizes and so volunteers can also play a variety of roles, just by being themselves. The exercise will take place in Benton Harbor.
Overflow Church is one of the sponsors of the H3 event. What is H3? How about Hoops, Hip Hop and Hot Dogs! You can help with planning or volunteer to help the day of the event on July 3rd 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. at Broadway Park in Benton Harbor. Be a part of bringing a positive, fun-filled experience to area youth.
The Coloma Glad Peach Festival will have a Family Art Fair. Want to do a little? You can help with the Arts and Craft set up the morning of Saturday, August 7th. Want to do a little more? You can be a supervisor for one shift and help participants of all ages in the creation of arts and crafts projects. Want to do more? You can be the arts and crafts coordinator and start working now with a team of volunteers to plan the August event! Requirements? Volunteers should like to smile and have fun.
For more information on the many non-profit organizations that we serve click on the Community Connection Guidebook above.
Now you can donate monetary contributions online using Paypal. Sign up for your Paypal account today!!!
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