March 27

Place of Hope presents Empty Bowls

Place of Hope Ministries will host Empty Bowls, a soup feed benefit and silent auction, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. on Sunday, March 29 at Calvary Community Church, 1200 Roosevelt Road, St. Cloud.

There will be three stages of live music and entertainment, and tasty soup from area restaurants, along with the silent auction, featuring unique pottery, wooden bowls and more.

Head to their website, placeofhopeministries.org, or call 320-203-7881 for more information.

Spring burning restrictions take effect this week in much of Minnesota

The Department of Natural Resources is restricting debris burning in many central, northwestern and southern Minnesota counties this week, and in other parts of the state beginning in April.

Burning restrictions mean the state will not allow the open burning of brush or yard waste. Debris burning is especially dangerous during April and May when most wildfires occur in Minnesota.

Spring burning restrictions coincide with increasing fire potential throughout much of the state due to the early snow melt and dry fuels like grass and leaves. With the snow gone, exposed dead grass and brush can light easily and fires can spread quickly. Restrictions last until sufficient green vegetation forms, normally from four to six weeks.

In addition, many local counties and municipalities have specific burning regulations or restrictions. Check with local authorities to obtain proper permits before burning.

The burning restrictions do not apply to campfires; they are still allowed. Clear an area around the campfire, watch it continuously and make sure it is out and cold to the touch before leaving.

Volunteers sought as health insurance counselors

The Central Minnesota Council on Aging will hold a three-day training from 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. on April 8, 10 and 15 at CMCOA, 1301 W. St. Germain St., Suite 101, St. Cloud. The training will be for those persons interested in becoming counselors in the State Health Insurance and Assistance Program (SHIP) for Stearns, Benton, Sherburne and other nearby counties.

Counselors will help Medicare consumers, their families and caregivers better understand Medicare options by providing information and referrals regarding resources. Counselors will also help consumers complete paperwork to enroll in programs that could assist with health insurance costs and reduce prescription costs. These programs may include: Medical Assistance; Medicare Savings Programs; Energy Assistance; and, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Those interested are asked to enroll in the free three-day training by registering in advance. Registration is limited, and will be accepted through March 31. For a registration packet, call CMCOA 320-253-9349.

Girl Scouts in ACTION group facilitators sought

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines is looking for volunteers to help guide girls in a six-week after-school program providing homework help, fun activities and a healthy snack (groups meet one day per week for two hours). Using their pre-planned curriculum and supplies, a group of volunteers at each site will help girls participate in age-appropriate activities, which focus on helping girls explore their community and their world. Girls will also earn the Girl Scout Safety Award as they learn how to stay safe in their home, school and community. Girl Scouts provides training for all adult volunteers for the program and each volunteer is paired with at least one other facilitator or group helper for the site. For more information on this and other United Way volunteer opportunities, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on March 27 criers.

Family Birthing Center tour guides sought

St. Cloud Hospital is seeking volunteers to guide expectant parents as they travel down the path of parenthood and tour the Family Birthing Center. Tour guide volunteers greet and welcome tour participants and introduce them to the Family Birthing Center. No previous knowledge of the Family Birthing Center or experience as a tour-guide volunteer required; script and training will be provided. Volunteers commit to at least two tours per month. Shifts are typically weekday evenings (5-9 p.m.) and one Saturday a month (10:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.). For more information on this and other United Way volunteer opportunities, visit thenewsleaders.com and click on March 27 criers.

United Way Volunteer Opportunities

Donation needs for Catholic Charities

Catholic Charities Emergency Services is in need of household items for families. Suggested donations include bedding (sheets/blankets) for queen and king beds, pots and pans, dish sets and silverware. They are also looking for outdoor sport equipment such as baseball bats, cleats, gloves and other outdoor toys for youth. Contact Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4560.

Girl Scouts in ACTION group facilitators

Girl Scouts of Minnesota and Wisconsin Lakes and Pines is looking for volunteers to help guide girls in a six-week after-school program providing homework help, fun activities and a healthy snack (groups meet one day per week for two hours). Using their pre-planned curriculum and supplies, a group of volunteers at each site will help girls participate in age-appropriate activities, which focus on helping girls explore their community and their world. Girls will also earn the Girl Scout Safety Award as they learn how to stay safe in their home, school and community. Girl Scouts provides training for all adult volunteers for the program and each volunteer is paired with at least one other facilitator or group helper for the site. Contact Chasidi Funk, Girl Scouts in ACTION specialist, at 320-252-2952.

Office help

The Central Minnesota SCORE Chapter is searching for a volunteer to help in their office. The primary responsibility would be to answer the phone, collect messages off the voice-mail system, analyze what the prospective client needs from SCORE and distribute the callers request to the department most fitting the client’s needs. The volunteer also needs to be comfortable, not proficient, working with Outlook e-mail system and Microsoft word and Excel spreadsheet forms.  The acronym “SCORE” stands for Service Corp of Retired Executives and their vision statement is “Every person has the support necessary to thrive as a small-business owner.” Contact Darold Berreau, vice chairman Central Minnesota SCORE, at 320-240-1332.

Gorecki Guest House – St. Cloud Hospital

Volunteers are vital and necessary for daily operations and guest services. Volunteers staff reception and registration desk and are the directors of first impressions as they answer the phone, take referrals and greet guests upon their arrival. Volunteers will assist with laundry and light-housekeeping tasks. Volunteers are needed from 1-4 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Fridays. Contact CentraCare Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638.

Grow our communities in a meaningful way: Become a tutor

St. Cloud district schools need tutors to help children succeed in school. Minnesota Reading Corps and Math Corps will train two dozen literacy and math tutors to begin one year of service , and provide extra support that students need to believe in themselves and catch up to their peers. Tutors receive a living allowance, an education award and the reward of making a lasting impact in the community. Tutors who are 55 or older may transfer the education award to a child or grandchild. Apply today to serve as a tutor. Contact Anne DeMotts, recruitment and outreach coordinator, at 320-230-0833.

Family Birthing Center tour guide

St. Cloud Hospital is seeking volunteers to guide expectant parents as they travel down the path of parenthood and tour the Family Birthing Center. Tour guide volunteers greet and welcome tour participants and introduce them to the Family Birthing Center. No previous knowledge of the Family Birthing Center or experience as a tour-guide volunteer required; script and training will be provided. Volunteers commit to at least two tours per month. Shifts are typically weekday evenings (5-9 p.m.) and one Saturday a month (10:30 a.m. -2:30 p.m.). Contact CentraCare Volunteer Services at 320-255-5638 or email volunteer@centracare.com.

Pet caretaker

Tri-County Humane Society is looking for volunteers to clean cages of Tri-County Humane society animals at Petco while they wait for their forever home. Volunteers will also watch for signs of illness and socialize with the animals. They ask for a once-a-week commitment of about one hour in the morning any day of the week. Contact Tri-County Humane Society at (320) 252-0896 or visit www.tricountyhumanesociety.org.

Volunteer for Habitat for Humanity’s thrift store ~ ReStore

The ReStore is a discount home-improvement retail store. It’s owned and operated by Central Minnesota Habitat for Humanity. Individuals and businesses donate new and used home-improvement and building materials that are sold at a discount in the store. The sales funds their mission by providing affordable housing to low-income families. Anyone from the public can shop or donate items. Majority of the ReStore team are volunteers. Volunteers can come for a one-time experience or on a regular basis. One-time volunteers help with general store tasks such as loading/unloading items, cleaning and stocking the floor. Volunteers who commit to coming for one shift per week have the option of being trained in a variety of roles. To sign up for a one-time experience, go to www.cmhfh.org/pages/OnlineSign-up. Internship opportunities are available year-round to gain business, management and marketing experience. Contact them for more information about volunteer roles, a tour or about donations. Contact Melanie Blake, volunteer manager, at 320-248-8256 or melanieblake@cmhfh.org.

For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Volunteer engagement coordinator, at (320) 223-7991 or mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.