Each week, United Way of Southwest Michigan releases a list of volunteer opportunities in the southwest Michigan area. To learn more about these opportunities, visit uwsm.org.

Read to area children

United Way of Southwest Michigan and Be Healthy Berrien present Read Up, a new addition to the Meet Up and Eat Up Program. “Read Up” will give children access to books while experiencing the power of storytelling through a reading volunteer, who reads stories to children at area “Meet Up, Eat Up” sites. Volunteers will take a wagon full of books as a mini mobile library to various meal time sites in Dowagiac and Niles so kids can pick books to take home after story time and grow their reading skills. Background checks are required. For more information, or to sign up, visit volunteer.uwsm.org.

Chamber of commerce

seeks volunteers

The Greater Niles Chamber of Commerce is seeking volunteers to assist with parking, clean up and various other needs for the annual City of Niles Firework Spectacular. Individuals and teams from area businesses and organizations are welcome to come join. There will be a volunteer picnic at 3:30 p.m. to express gratitude for volunteers’ time and energy. Volunteers will gather at the Apple Festival Community Building at 4:30 p.m. for general instructions regarding the event. Gates open at 6 p.m., and fireworks will commence at dusk. For more information, or to sign up, visit volunteer.uwsm.org.

Avenue Family Network

seeks volunteers

Come help The Avenue Family Network, Inc. with a day of golf to benefit to Autumn House Adult Day Services, a nonprofit located in Paw Paw. Autumn House Adult Day Services provides a daytime environment where adults with memory loss and special needs can participate in both meaningful and therapeutic activities. The golf outing will take place at Heritage Glen Golf Club on Saturday July 27. Volunteer shifts are available at the registration table, Mulligan Card table, the auction table, hole in one witnesses and end of event runner. For more information, or to sign up, visit uwsm.org/volunteer.

School Supply Spectacular

seeking volunteers

United Way of Southwest Michigan is partnerinng with businesses and organizations in Cass County to present the annual School Supply Spectacular. The event will provide backpacks with age-appropriate school supplies to any student in need throughout Cass County. The volunteer shifts cover three days, Tuesday Aug. 13, Friday Aug. 16, and Saturday, Aug. 17 at Brookside Learning Center in Cassopolis. Individual, team and group volunteer signups are now open. For more information, or to sign up, visit volunteer.uwsm.org.

Therapeutic Equestrian Center

seeking volunteers

Therapeutic Equestrian Center is looking for horse leaders or side walkers to assist during therapeutic riding lessons. Leaders are responsible for the horse during each lesson.  Side walkers assist and focus on the rider. Previous experience not necessary. TEC is also seeking volunteers for other various needs such as, feeding horses, cleaning horse stalls and weekly yard maintenance. For more information, or to sign up, visit uwsm.org/volunteer.