outhwest 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
• Do you have one lunch hour a week that you could share with a child in your work community? Have you thought about becoming a Big Brother or Big Sister but were not sure how to get started? Big Brothers Big Sisters of Berrien and Cass is welcoming new Bigs to its Lunch Buddy programs in communities throughout southwest Michigan.

Adults
•  Fall is a great time to think about becoming a mentor. Visit us online and use the key word mentor, or call and ask for our free booklet listing local mentoring organizations. There is one close to where you live or work.  The kids are depending on you.
•  CARES’ (Community Resource and Education Services) mission is to minimize further transmission of HIV and to maximize the quality of life for all people affected by HIV. They have clients in Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties who need drivers to transport them to and from medical appointments on an as needed basis. You can get on the driver list and when they call either say “yes I can drive” or “no, I am not available.” You should be at least 18 years old with a good driving record.
•  Their motto is “Without you we don’t ride!” Make sure people with special challenges in their lives have that opportunity when you contact Therapeutic Equestrian Center about helping out with chores. Volunteers help feed, water and care for TEC’s horses every morning and evening. No experience necessary, they will be happy to train you. Basically if a horse needs it done, they need someone willing to do it. Morning chores are 8 to 9:30 a.m. and evening chores are 4:30 to 6 p.m. This is an all-volunteer organization with no paid staff.
• Check out the Volunteer Center of Southwest Michigan’s new and improved volunteer website. Create a profile and search for local volunteer opportunities at more than 230 organizations. If you have questions about or suggestions for the new site, call Ashley or Doug at 983-0912.
• United Way of Southwest Michigan is sponsoring a Senior Day of Action Thursday, Nov. 3. Register by Sept. 30 to go to one of 200 seniors’ homes in Berrien and Cass counties to rake leaves, clean gutters and put plastic on windows in an effort to get ready for winter. Live United and sign up today.
•  The storms are over but the work continues in communities across the country.  Do you know what organization is busy preparing for local and national emergencies? That’s right, the American Red Cross. You can train now to be a disaster volunteer or sign up to help out with office work and blood drives.
• Greet visitors and answer phones at the Lakeland HealthCare Continuing Care Information Desk in St. Joseph. You should have some telephone and customer service experience. Shifts are available seven days a week, so this one fits everyone’s schedule. Volunteers should be over 18.

Volunteer by donating blood!

Berrien County Chapter of the American Red Cross
• Tuesday, Sept. 6 — Midway Baptist, 7517 Red Arrow Highway, Watervliet, noon to 5:45 p.m.
• Tuesday, Sept. 13 — Buchanan Moose Lodge, 101 South Red Bud Trail, Buchanan, noon to 5:45 p.m.
For a complete listing, visit www.berrienredcross.org.

Michigan Blood
• Saturday, Sept. 3 — South Haven Family Campground, 03403 64th St., South Haven, 8 a.m. to noon
• Sunday, September 4 – Indian Lake Fire Department, 33104 Old M-62, Dowagiac, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
For a complete listing, visit www.miblood.org.

Adults and youth
• Here by the great lakes we sometimes take water for granted but water quality is of critical importance. Be a water quality advocate for the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission by distributing promotional materials to libraries, schools and other locations throughout Berrien, Cass and Van Buren counties. You can also hand out materials by attending community festivals to promote the water quality program. How about assisting with surveys and other data collection when needed? Training and supplies will be provided. Travel reimbursement available. Tasks could be completed during office hours or during weekend/evening hours.

Families
• August is the month when families begin to think about school starting again. Keep an eye open for those great sales on school supplies and purchase extra to pass on to the children staying in a shelter or to give to an organization serving children. Did your children grow over the summer and so it is time to clean out the closets and purchase new clothes? Bring your used items to a resale shop near you. The proceeds from sales at the stores go to fund valuable programs. Contact the Volunteer Center for a location near you.
• The 10th anniversary of 9-11 is approaching — how will your family remember? Why not volunteer? Blue Star Mothers will gladly accept your cards and send them to the troops. Contact the Volunteer Center for other family friendly ideas.

Youth
• Have you already volunteered 40 hours this summer? It doesn’t matter where you volunteered or who helped you get connected, turn in your hours to Callie (youth@volunteerswmi.org) at the Volunteer Center for your certification of completion of Youth Summer Serve 2011. This looks great on your college and scholarship applications.