In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, the Niles Daily Star 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 website 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 agency.

Spotlight of the Week

Whether the disaster is across the street or across the country, the American Red Cross is ready to respond. This powerful national resource is strong because of local chapters. The chapters’ strength comes from local volunteers who train in advance to assist with disaster relief. Whether you respond locally to a house fire or are ready to head to tornado alley, prepared volunteers are critical. No commitment needed to contact them for more information about training requirements. Blood drive and office opportunities are also available.

Adults

• Revolutionize how technology helps volunteers connect to volunteer opportunities in southwest Michigan. The Volunteer Center is offering a summer eight-week internship to assist with the launch of HandsOn Connect. The volunteer intern will clean up existing data and get ready for transfer to new system, test the new system and assist with developing training materials. The volunteer intern will need to work independently under the guidance of the implementation team and have a high level of computer and Internet skills.

• Community AIDS Resource and Education Services (CARES) depends on transport volunteers to assist clients with rides to medical appointments in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties Monday through Friday (flexible times).

• Fernwood Botanical Garden and Nature Preserve is a piece of heaven right here in southwest Michigan. You can become a valued member of the volunteer staff as a receptionist support volunteer. Assist the reception staff in greeting visitors, giving directions, answering general visitor questions, operating the cash register, answering the phone and registering people for classes and programs. Cash register experience helpful, but not necessary. All training will be provided. Shifts are available Tuesday through Sunday.

• We are not sure why or what this says about human nature, but Harbor Habitat’s recent deconstruction projects have been a lot of fun. Join their team on June 6, 8, 10 or 11 to carefully remove all salvageable items prior to a house demolition in St. Joseph. These items will be sold at the ReStore and the sales will support building Habitat homes.

• As a the intergenerational resource library assistant you will help senior volunteer and intergenerational programs at the Area Agency on Aging maintain a resource library, create bibliographies from a computer database and increase circulation of materials among relative caregivers. The schedule is flexible but you should have experience with Access, strong organizational skills, be detail oriented and have time to devote on an ongoing basis. Librarian skills a plus but not required.

• Hope’s Door in Dowagiac provides transitional housing for women in recovery. A good website is critical to operate today and they are looking for a website administrator to make sure they reach those in need of assistance, referral sources and donors. They have a website but need you to make it a powerful resource.

• Bridges to Digital Excellence is making access to technology easier and more environmentally friendly through its different programs. At its Benton Harbor location they are busy recycling electronics to keep them out of our landfills and to provide funding for its programs. When you volunteer as an electronics tester you pick a time between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Friday. A minimum two hours a week time commitment is required. They would love to have at least eight hours a week of testing conducted, so tell your friends. No special skills are required and a simple training is provided. You will learn about technology issues and what Bridges if doing to make a difference throughout southwest Michigan.

• If every person who donates blood once a year recruited one person to donate once a year, blood shortages could be a thing of the past. Recruit a friend to donate blood today.

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross

• Tuesday, June 14 — The Chapel, 4250 Washington Ave., St. Joseph, noon to 5:45 p.m.

• Friday, June 17 — First Presbyterian Church, 13 South Fourth St., noon to 5:45 p.m.

For a complete listing visit www.berrienredcross.org.

Michigan Blood

For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.

Adults and youth

Summer time and softball are almost here! Gateway Services increases the life and level of independence of individuals with disabilities. During their annual Softball Marathon fundraiser on July 22 and 23, you can help with kids activities, concession stand, umpires, set up and tear down, scorekeeping and announcing. There is something for everyone.

• Do you enjoy food and talking? Volunteer at the Courtyard Cafe at Lakeland Hospital in St. Joseph. Many shifts available.

• Summer is fast approaching and that means festival volunteer opportunities. Krasl Arts on the Bluff has many opportunities listed on the Volunteer Center’s website including handing out artist and visitor surveys. This helps greatly in making the event one of the best in the country. You can sign up for a shift on July 9 or 10 and tell them how many hours you are able to contribute. Another opportunity is to work a shift in the sales and information tent answering questions and selling fun T-shirts and other items. Three-hour shifts are requested.

Families

Summer is almost here which means that every week there are fun activities and festivals. Do you know who makes all that fun possible? You are right — volunteers! Visit www.volunteerswmi.org to find a festival near you or contact the Volunteer Center. We would love to get you involved. This is a great way to volunteer with a friend or with your family.