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
On Sunday, Aug. 14, The Berrien County Council for Children is staffing a table at a checkpoint during the Steelhead Triathlon. Shifts are available from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. They will be raising awareness of their organization and the prevention of child sexual abuse. Help them hand out water and gel packets to the racers.

Adults
• Live united by becoming a community impact investment team member with the United Way of Southwest Michigan. You will meet with your investment team in one of four areas: education, income, health and basic needs. Volunteers ensure that dollars raised are invested in the community’s most needed and effective human service programs. The team reviews progress reports submitted by sponsored agencies, provides constructive feedback and may recommend funding adjustments. Investment Team members can expect to spend approximately 10 to 15 hours a year in meetings and another 6 to 20 hours reading reports to prepare for meetings. A three-year commitment is requested. Team business is normally conducted during the workday and the regular meeting time is determined by the individual teams making every effort to accommodate the schedules of their members.
• Are you hungry for corn dogs or other miscellaneous fried foods? Would you like to volunteer for four hours and receive a free in and out day pass that allows you to both volunteer and visit the animal displays at the Berrien County Youth Fair? If so, Kristen would like to talk to you about staffing the History Center at Courthouse Square/Berrien County Historical Association’s booth. They will be selling local and regional history books as well as items from the museum store. Funds generated from the sales will directly support he History Center. Shifts are available Aug. 15-20 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., 3 to 7 p.m. and 7 to 11 p.m.
• Thinking about fall and how you would like to volunteer? The Readiness Center in Benton Harbor provides educational programs for low-income parents and their children.  As a preschool volunteer you would work with children ages 3-5 assisting in learning activities, circle time, crafts and play. Classes meet Tuesday through Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and Monday through Thursday from 1 to 3 p.m. September through May. Find a time that suits you and join in the fun!
• Volunteer by donating blood!

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross
• Thursday, Aug. 11 — St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 2673 West John Beers Rd., Stevensville, noon to 5:45 p.m.
For a complete listing, visit www.berrienredcross.org.

Michigan Blood
• Monday, Aug.  8 — New Buffalo City Fire Department, 35 North Harrison St., 2 to 7 p.m.
• Wednesday, Aug. 10 — Bodek and Rhodes, 2121 Chicago Rd., Niles, 1 to 6 p.m.
For a complete listing, visit www.miblood.org.

Adults and youth
• Help at-risk clients experience holiday celebrations that might otherwise be unattainable in a life full of complexities. From New Year’s to Christmas and all the holidays in between, some people are afforded few opportunities to connect with caring individuals besides service program staff who truly care and understand the power and benefit of even a moment’s joy. You can be the person to individually, or as part of a group, create/host/facilitate these important “moments of joy” for seniors, teens and families fleeing domestic violence. This is a flexible volunteer opportunity and you will work with staff at Child and Family Services to make it happen. Would be a great project for a church group, family or work group. So why not call and talk with Beverly their volunteer coordinator to discuss further?
• Hot weather calls for gelato. Volunteer as a gelato server and retail assistant at the Water Street Glassworks/Gelatoworks and you will get to sample all the flavors available. Not only will you serve gelato and assist shoppers, but you will get to introduce customers to the Water Street Glassworks School and Studio. You can tell them about the artists and all the great education opportunities they are offering the community — especially young people.
• Do you have a special skill? Recently a clown came to visit the Volunteer Center and since, then has been a part of several community events — having fun and making people smile. What is your talent? Contact the Volunteer Center and we will find the volunteer opportunity that matches your skill and schedule.
• Have you thought about doing your own volunteer project? If you have a box and know people, we have got an easy but important project for you! Children in protective and foster care and vulnerable adults are in need of the following personal care products: personal hygiene items, baby diapers, baby wipes and other baby care items. You could also collect new toys for children of all ages as well as coloring books and activities. Pillows (with pillow cases or covers) are other items that can give a child something to cuddle. So here are your project steps. Step 1: decorate a box or bag. Step 2: make a simple flyer or practice what you will tell people. Step 3: ask people to donate or put your box someplace where people will see it. Step 4: contact the Volunteer Center about how to get your donations to the Berrien County Department of Human Services.

Families
The Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross would like your family to help sanitize their CPR equipment as needed. Call them to get your name put on the “on call” list. When they need the work done they will call your family. If you are not available, no problem they will find another volunteer. This is something your family can feel good about.

Youth
The Volunteer Center and the City of New Buffalo are sponsoring beach cleanups on Mondays at the New Buffalo Beach from 8 to 10 a.m. Help clean up and then stay to enjoy the beach. You receive a free parking pass and a cool T-shirt. Contact Callie at 983-0912 or youth@volunteerswmi.org to sign up. Pre-registration for unaccompanied youth required.  Families can just show up and help out.