Volunteer opportunities: Help collect school supplies for children in need

Agency: United Way of Douglas County

Contact: Colleen Gregoire at development@unitedwaydgco.org or at 843-6626, ext. 340

The United Way of Douglas County brings community resources together to support a better life for residents by focusing on improvements in health, education, and financial stability. The United Way is looking for volunteers interested in making an impact on educational needs of local school children by helping to lead a collection drive at one of the 10 collection sites for school supplies.

Collected supplies will benefit The Ballard Community Center, ECKAN, The Salvation Army, and Penn House, which provide free school supplies to children in need. Lead volunteers will be asked to attend a planning meeting in July and oversee a single collection site at a local retailer during one afternoon of the collection drive.

The collection drive will occur on July 16-17 and 23-24, followed by sorting and organizing of supplies, then distribution of supplies to recipients in August. For more information, including a complete job description, please contact Colleen Gregoire at development@unitedwaydgco.org or 785-843-6626.

Help the hospital

Lawrence Memorial Hospital is looking for energetic and customer-service-oriented people who are willing to be a part of the caring team of health care providers.

Many volunteer opportunities are available at LMH. In particular, the following areas are in great need of volunteers.

Fit Assist volunteers are “exercise buddies” that lend a hand 2-3 times a week to someone needing physical assistance with an exercise routine. They provide positive coaching and feedback to the person they are helping. Hospital staff provide instruction and guidance to volunteers and exercisers.

Volunteer Wayfinders are needed to greet hospital visitors and assist them to their destinations within the hospital. And the West Admissions Desk needs volunteers to assist patients with checking in for procedures. Admissions volunteers work closely with Admissions staff members. For available shifts and more information, please contact Allyson Leland at 505-3141 or at Allyson.Leland@LMH.org.

LINK treasurer

LINK provides nutritious home-cooked meals to families and individuals in our community several days each week. LINK is a volunteer-based operation with only one paid employee, the coordinator.

LINK is currently looking for a treasurer for its board of directors. Responsibilities include: handling funds with high standards and setting a tone of integrity; managing filings such as taxes, etc.; identifying and managing risk; confirming contributions; planning and evaluating with a budget; preparing timely financial reports; and managing grants.

Please contact Wendi Meisenheimer at 785-331-9567 or at link.kitchen@yahoo.com, for more information.


Looking after kids

Looking for a fun volunteer opportunity appropriate for youths? Success by 6 needs volunteers to assist with their Parent Education classes by providing child care for children younger than 5 years of age while their parents are attending class.

Two to three volunteers care for nine children from 5:30-8 p.m. at Centennial Adult Education Center, 2145 Louisiana St. Age-appropriate activities will be planned as well as a snack of pizza provided to attendees.

Volunteers are needed on Wednesday evenings running through June 29, and also monthly on the second Tuesday, also 5:30-8 p.m. Volunteers may sign up for either Wednesday evenings, Tuesday evenings, or both. For more information, please contact Rich Minder at docofamily2family@gmail.com or at 785-842-8719.

Stamp out hunger

Help Just Food Stamp Out Hunger by supporting the Postal Carriers food drive. On Saturday, May 14, please help at either the Downtown Lawrence post office or the Jayhawk post office on 31st Street.

Volunteers are needed to unload and sort donations from the Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive. When the postal carriers arrive at the post office, Just Food volunteers will unload the postal carriers’ vehicles and sort the donations into the Just Food Trucks. If you are interested in helping out, contact Jen Williams at operations@justfoodks.org or at 856-7030.

Be a Big Brother

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County provides one-to-one relationships for children facing adversity. Are you looking to make a difference in the life of a young boy in our community? For a few hours, a couple times a month, you can give a “Little” the invaluable gift of your friendship.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for a male mentor 18 years of age or older to spend a few hours a week with an energetic young man. He is a typical kid who enjoys being active and has a slightly difficult time sitting still and focusing. His favorite things to do are playing video games and playing outside. He wants his Big to enjoy sports as much as he does and enjoy video games as well.

If you are ready to make a difference in the life of a young person in our community, ask about volunteering today. Please contact Big Brothers Big Sisters at 785-843-7359.

— For more volunteer opportunities, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 785-865-5030, ext. 301 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or go to www.volunteerdouglascounty.org.