Summer Rec opens ball registration
Registration for the evening ball program for boys and girls ages 5-14 will be from 1-3 p.m. Saturday, March 7 at the St. Joseph Community Fire Hall. For more information or questions, call Sharon Rennie at 320-293-3278 or Amanda Lopau at 320-260-1598.
Good Shepherd seeks music donations
Good Shepherd seeks donations of gently used or new iPods, iTunes gift cards and original CDs to help expand and sustain their Music and Memory Program campus-wide. The program provides therapeutic use of iPods and personalized music playlists to help bring residents joy and awaken them by tapping deep emotional recall. A grant Good Shepherd recently received has allowed purchase of a few iPods, headsets and some iTunes music. To donate, please contact Perry Rollings at 320-259-3491 or drop donations off at the front reception desk.
Provide advocacy at sexual assault center
Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center is a 24-hour crisis intervention agency that provides direct services to those people affected by any form of sexual violence. The center’s purpose is to offer non-judgmental, confidential, free, direct services to victims of sexual assault, their partners, families, coworkers and friends. Volunteer sexual-assault advocates provide information and guidance to sexual-assault victims on the 24-hour crisis phone line, at medical facilities and at law-enforcement centers. Shifts fall on evenings and weekends. Forty-hour training is required prior to volunteering as an advocate. The next forty-hour training will start on Monday, March 16 and will consist of Monday evenings and two Saturdays. For more information on this and other United Way volunteer opportunities, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Feb. 27 criers.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Provide advocacy at sexual assault center
Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center is a 24-hour crisis intervention agency that provides direct services to those people affected by any form of sexual violence. The center’s purpose is to offer non-judgmental, confidential, free, direct services to victims of sexual assault, their partners, families, coworkers and friends. Volunteer sexual-assault advocates provide information and guidance to sexual-assault victims on the 24-hour crisis phone line, at medical facilities and at law-enforcement centers. Shifts fall on evenings and weekends. Forty-hour training is required prior to volunteering as an advocate. The next forty-hour training will start on Monday, March 16 and will consist of Monday evenings and two Saturdays. Contact Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center at 320-251-4357 or visit www.cmsac.org for an application and more details.
Foster Grandparent Program seeks senior volunteers
Adults ages 55 and over can receive an hourly tax-free stipend ($2.65/hour) for volunteering 15 hours per week (or more if they wish) helping children with activities, reinforcing learning, helping with art projects, and more. This is a great opportunity if you have time to spare, love to be with children and could use some extra non-taxable income. The Foster Grandparent Program needs more mentors for youth in our community. Currently there are openings at elementary schools in District 742 and Paynesville, Journey Home daycare (working with infants and toddlers), the St. Cloud Children’s Home (working with teens), and several after-school programs. Foster Grandparent volunteers might help students with a reading assignment, work with a small group on a craft or help kids cook an evening meal. Contact Emily, Catholic Charities Foster Grandparent Program, at 320-229-4597 or toll-free at 1-866-895-7992.
Senior center visits
Tri-County Humane Society is looking for people to bring a shelter animal or one of your own that is approved, to visit residents of various senior care centers. This is generally a once-a-month commitment and hours are variable depending on the facility. Contact Tri-County Humane Society at 320-252-0896 or visit www.tricountyhumanesociety.org.
Spend a weekend at camp
Boy Scouts of America, Central Minnesota Council, is looking for volunteers to help with programs, crafts, waterfront, kitchen duties and more. Spend a weekend in June or early July on North Long Lake, Nisswa. Volunteers are needed to enhance the camp experience for Cub Scouts and their families. Contact Mary Herlick, Boy Scouts of America, Central Minnesota Council, at 320-251-3930.
Step up for our kids
We all win when young people succeed. That is why we invite you to LIVE UNITED. One-time, short-term, and ongoing volunteer opportunities are available with children and youth throughout Central Minnesota. Examples include playing board games, helping with simple homework, sharing your skill or hobby and reading with children. The opportunities are endless. Contact Mary Krippner at 320-223-7991 or visit United Way’s website: www.unitedwayhelps.org and click on “Step Up for Our Kids” button.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
