Blazer basketball to host ‘St. Joe Day’
The College of St. Benedict basketball team invites St. Joseph residents to come watch the Blazer basketball team take on St. Catherine University during “St. Joe Day” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 31 at Claire Lynch Hall on the CSB campus. Residents of St. Joseph are invited to attend the game free of charge if they show their driver’s license or another form of ID with a St. Joseph address at the gate. This event will also recognize and honor athletic director Carol Howe-Veenstra, who is retiring June 19 after 30 years with the CSB athletic department. She will be honored at halftime by Blazer coaches and staff.
Interested in summer youth baseball?
Registration for summer 2015 will open on Feb. 1. To register 1st- through 9th-grade youth, visit sartellbaseball.com and click “on-line registration.”
General registration will be open until April 1 (1st- and 2nd-grade registration will stay open until May 1).
For registration questions, call Mike Connolly at 320-252-5743.
Special ed training set Feb. 9
Parents of children who are receiving special-education services, whether you are new or have been around the block, are invited to Get Set Training, which will focus on the special-education process and rules that guide this process, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 9 in the LeSauk Room at the Sartell-St. Stephen District Service Center, 212 3rd Ave. N., Sartell. This was rescheduled from Jan. 12.
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area has begun accepting online reservations on a first-come, first-served basis for the summer season. The 1.1-million acre Boundary Waters is America’s most visited wilderness area, attracting 250,000 visitors annually. Ely-based outfitter Steve Piragis says this is particularly important for groups that want specific entry points or entry days. But he says people who don’t want to plan so far ahead will still have access to hundreds of permits throughout the season, via the website and from outfitters. Some permits for certain popular entry points were awarded by lottery last week.
United Way Volunteer Opportunities
Foster grandparents needed to mentor youth
January is National Mentoring Month, and the Foster Grandparent Program needs 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. Adults aged 55 and better will receive an hourly tax-free stipend ($2.65) for volunteering 15 hours per week (or more if they wish) helping children with activities, reinforcing learning 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. Contact Emily, Catholic Charities, at 320-229-4597.
Food shelf volunteers
The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to help in the food shelf bagging and distributing food to clients in need. Volunteers are needed mornings and afternoons for as many shifts your schedule allows. The Food Shelf is open Monday-Thursday, 8:30-11 a.m. and 1-4 p.m. Contact Shannon Smithers, the Salvation Army special-events coordinator, at 320-252-4552.
Donation door aide for food, clothing program
Catholic Charities Emergency Services needs volunteers to assist staff and other volunteers in daily program operations and to organize materials, especially boxes and bags that are used by clients in food shelf and clothing programs. Volunteers will help move garbage outside, move donations into building and sorting area, operate pallet jacks and handcarts as needed and keep area neat and orderly. Volunteers will also assist staff accepting donations and deliveries to the program. Volunteer position requires lifting and reaching, working on your feet and an understanding, non-judgmental attitude toward low-income persons or people in crisis. Must be able to lift 20-40 pounds, maintain client confidentiality and agree to sign volunteer agreements required by this agency. Contact Chad Kaushagen, Catholic Charities program coordinator, at 320-229-4568.
Patient and family care at St. Cloud Hospital
St. Cloud Hospital Patient and Family Care Volunteers will conduct purposeful rounding with patients to ensure a comfortable and satisfying stay for the patient. This supportive service provides practical and personal information the patient and/or family members need to know during the hospital stay. The program is designed to help patients express their concerns, needs, questions, complaints and suggestions. Shifts: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Contact CentraCare St. Cloud Hospital Volunteer Services at 320-320-255-5638 or visit centracare.com/volunteer.
Step up for kids
We all win when young people succeed. That’s 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 unitedwayhelps.org and click on “Step Up for Our Kids” button.
Junior Achievement
Each year, Junior Achievement in the St. Cloud area partners with community volunteers to deliver programs to more than 28 local schools in 275 classrooms. By sharing their personal and professional experiences and skills, volunteers help students make the connection between what they are learning in school and what they will need to succeed in work and life. The time commitment is minimal, scheduling is flexible and training is provided. Depending on the age of the students, volunteers make between five to seven visits to their classroom. Each visit lasts between 30 and 45 minutes. Volunteers select a local classroom in which they want to work and are provided a packet of materials, which contains detailed lesson plans and hands-on activities to engage the students. As a volunteer, you will help local students learn the value of controlling their own financial future, while they acquire the important life skills of communication, teamwork, critical thinking and decision making. Contact Alli Nepsund, Junior Achievement, at 320-310-2165.
Become a respite volunteer
Being a caregiver can become a very stressful undertaking, especially when the person receiving care has dementia or a debilitating illness. That is why Great River Area Faith in Action is looking for caring volunteers like you who are willing to step in and help by visiting with an older adult for a few hours each week. While the volunteer visits with the care receiver, the person responsible for care giving will have the opportunity to spend a few hours away from home to relax or do other things such as running errands. This is a wonderful opportunity to develop a relationship with a family as well as with an older adult. At the same time, you will be gaining valuable experience and meeting a very important need. Activities may include reading together, looking at photo albums, playing card games and or going for a walk. No physical or medical care is required. Contact Cherise Robb, Faith in Action volunteer coordinator, at 320-290-3428.
Food shelf help
The Salvation Army helps individuals and families in St. Cloud who find themselves in need of assistance. They are looking for volunteers to help in their food shelf. Their biggest need is Friday afternoon from 1-3 p.m. Contact Barb Nelson, the Salvation Army, at 320-257-7435.
Outing assistants needed
Help Country Manor Campus activities staff take a small group of residents out into the community to take part in an activity. Outings often include shopping trips, lunch outings, movies, bowling, fishing and more. Volunteers must be friendly and dependable. Volunteers must be able to push wheelchairs great distances. This type of volunteer has a very flexible schedule and is contacted either via email or phone on a monthly basis to sign up for excursions that work into their schedule. Outings generally take place on weekdays during the early afternoon. Contact Jacquie Willis, Country Manor Campus volunteer coordinator, at 320-253-1920.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way volunteer engagement coordinator, at 320-223-7991 or [email protected].