Spotlight  of the week

Girls on the Run and Girls on Track sponsored by United Way of Southwest Michigan are on the move and need help with everything from registration to food.

Join hundreds of girls on May 31 for a 5K race.

These programs help build self-esteem and promote healthy choices for girls in third through eighth grades.

Adults

• The Boys and Girls Club in Benton Harbor needs computer lab assistants to help in providing instruction and assistance with computer lab activities.
Engage children in fun, interactive and hands-on creative activities.

• Sign up for volunteer duties of your choice on July 14-15 for Krasl Art Center’s Art Fair on the Bluff.

Helpers are needed in everything from water sales to hospitality to helping in the children’s tent.

• Through Big Brothers Big Sister’s Lunch Buddy program, commit to have lunch with an elementary school student once a week.

Even though the school year is coming to a close, you can still sign up.

• As a clerical aide at the Berrien County Department of Human Services you will assist clerical, volunteers assist staff, office managers and other DHS staff with duties such as filing, copying, assisting clients with completion of applications or sorting and delivering mail.

You should be at least 18 years old, have good organization and communication skills, the ability to work with others and be able to follow directives and maintain confidentiality. An orientation and training will be provided.

American Red Cross of West Michigan

• May 22 – Christian Reformed Church of St. Joseph, 3275 Washington Avenue, St. Joseph:  1 to 7 p.m.

• May 25 – First Baptist Church, 902 Broad Street, St. Joseph:  noon  to 6 p.m.

For a complete listing and to schedule an appointment, visit www.redcross.org.

Michigan Blood

• May 21 – New Buffalo High School Gym, 1112 E. Clay Street, New Buffalo: 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

• May 26 – Martin’s Super Market, Blood Bus, 720 S. 11th Street, Niles:  9 a.m.  to 2 p.m.

For a complete listing, visit www.miblood.org.

Adults and youth opportunities

• Curious Kids Museum in St. Joseph stimulates a child’s curiosity, learning and creative expression.  As a floor interpreter, circulate throughout the museum, interacting with visitors by demonstrating the exhibits and answering their questions.
Keep exhibits in order by cleaning and tidying them. Volunteers interested in offering story times or workshops are encouraged.

One-day  opportunities

• The Community Showcase Committee and Cornerstone Alliance have come together to make preparations to ensure that the community is clean and businesses are prepared to guarantee a pleasant experience for those attending the Senior PGA Championship.  The committee is hosting a community clean up weekend from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. May 18-19.

Volunteers are needed.

In cooperation with the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan, we are pleased to 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 www.volunteerswmi.org; or send email to 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 affiliated with the HandsOn Network.