Spotlight of the week

Have you ever considered serving a leadership role in a local nonprofit by volunteering as a board member?  If you are concerned about helping aging people stay in their home and making sure they have good nutrition, Senior Nutrition’s board would like to interview you as a potential board member. No commitment needed to contact them and find out more about it.

If you would like to help in other ways, they also can put you to work on fundraising or as a driver.

Adults

• Volunteers who are mature adults act as liaisons between the Niles city departments and community citizens.  As a volunteer in policing (VIP), report neighborhood concerns and needs to the police department, as well as assist during parades, festivals and other large gatherings.

•  Cass County Council on Aging Handy Helpers assist in making homes safer so individuals are able to remain in their homes longer.  Repairs include installing grab bars, installing or repairing railings, putting down non-skid tape, installing smoke or carbon monoxide detectors, weatherizing and building wheelchair ramps.   Carpentry experience is a plus.

•  Consider contacting local schools and offering to volunteer in the classroom, on the grounds, with special projects or on a committee.

•  Volunteer as a computer lab assistant at the Boys and Girls Club in Benton Harbor and engage children in interactive and hands-on creative activities.  Volunteers supervise children’s behavior and encourage participation.

•  Hospice at Home needs hair stylists and barbers to style the hair of their clients.  You should be willing to go to clients’ homes.

•  Do you have the ability to teach basic pencil art, work with watercolors or provide instruction on completing kit projects?  Do you enjoy being creative in the development of ideas and projects for young people? If so consider sharing your talents at the Berrien County Juvenile Center in Berrien Springs.  You should be at least 18 years old. Background check is required.

American Red Cross of West Michigan

The Red Cross reports that if it had three extra donors at each blood drive it would stabilize the blood supply.

• Noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 28: Lawrence Conference Center, 490 S. Paw Paw St., Lawrence

•  Noon to 6 p.m. Sept. 7: First Baptist Church, 902 Broad St., St. Joseph

Michigan Blood

•  3 to 7 p.m. Monday: Boy Scout Troop 579, All Purpose Room, 905 N. Front St., Niles

•  Noon to 6 p.m. Aug. 29: Shoreline Wellness & Rehab, Conference Room, 950 S. Bailey Ave., South Haven

For a complete listing visit www.miblood.org.

One-day opportunity

On Nov. 30, bring holiday wishes to people who are elderly and to adults with disabilities as a greeter at the St. Joseph’s Martin’s  Super Market.  Greeters stand inside the entrance doors and inquire if shoppers would like to become a Secret Santa.

Near the entryway will be a Christmas tree adorned with ornaments with wishes written on them.

The shopper can simply select one or more ornaments from the tree and find the item during their shopping trip.

At checkout shoppers give the ornament and purchased item(s) to the cashier.  Gifts are delivered to the person’s home by Area Agency on Aging staff members.  These gifts are small but significant reminders the community remembers them.

Youth

•  Time to finish reporting your volunteer hours for 2012 Youth Summer Serve. Go to www.volunteerswmi.org and report them by Aug. 31. If you volunteered more than 40 hours over the course of the summer, you will be officially recognized. If you need assistance, contact Callie at youth@volunteerswmi.org.

Families

•  While school shopping, why not pick up a few extra items to donate to a local school or one of the many programs serving families and kids.

Call Volunteer Southwest Michigan and we’ll help you figure out which organization would welcome your donation.