Volunteers needed

AARP Tax-Aide – Volunteers are needed for free tax preparation services for middle- and low-income workers. Training is free and no prior experience or an accounting background is needed. Greeters are also needed to welcome individuals and review paperwork before meeting with tax counselors. For more information call (509) 838-6581 or visit www.aarp.org/money/taxes/ aarp_taxaide.

Corbin Senior Activity Center – Lunch helpers are needed to set and clear tables, make coffee and serve food on Wednesdays. Volunteers are also needed to pick up food once a month. A food handler’s permit is preferred. For more information, call Christa Richardson at (509) 327-1584 or visit www.corbinseniorcenter.org.

Girl Scouts – The Girl Scouts of Eastern Washington and Northern Idaho is looking for volunteers for leadership development and mentoring of girls. Call Janet Davis, volunteer manager, at (800) 827-9478 or visit www.gsewni.org.

Global Neighborhood – Volunteers are needed in the Spokane area to work with refugee individuals and families. Volunteers will interact with refugees, help them practice English, educate them on food, help with bus transit, and introduce them to family, friends and other aspects of the community. Volunteers are required to complete and submit the Global Neighborhood Volunteer application and undergo cultural orientation training. Volunteers must be at least 19 years old; submit to a Washington State Patrol background check; be willing to actively seek out resources for refugees; and commit to one year of service with a family or individual, three hours per week. For more information, call Amy Hendricks, volunteer coordinator, at (509) 703-7524 or e-mail amy@global-neighborhood.org or visit www.global-neighborhood.org.

Habitat for Humanity – General construction volunteers, age 16 and older, are needed to build homes. No experience is necessary and on-site training will be provided for people who are interested. For more information, call Andrea Mayhew, volunteer coordinator, at (509) 534-2552.

Inland Northwest Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society – Inland Northwest Chapter is looking for volunteers to assist the staff with receptionist duties, data entry, filing and hands-on projects in preparation for special events. Call Kerry Wiltzius, program director, at (509) 482-2022.

Inland Northwest Mentoring Partnership – Inland Northwest Mentoring Partnership is looking for volunteers to open their eyes, minds and hearts to mentoring. Visit www.unitedway.org or www.inlandnwmentoring.org for more information.

“Miss School, Miss Out” – Program assistant volunteers are needed for the attendance incentive program, based out of Shaw Middle School. Volunteers will support the program with Communities in Schools at multiple sites, helping set up and distribute prizes to students who achieve excellent attendance goals. Organizational skills and knowledge of Excel are required. Positions require a Washington State Patrol background check. For more information and an application call (509) 414-1436 or e-mail Jessica@cisspokane.org.

New Hope Resource Center – The New Hope Resource Center, 4211 E. Colbert Road in Colbert, is looking for a handyman to help the elderly with home repairs. Experience in carpentry, plumbing and electrical work, would be helpful, but is not necessary. Volunteers are needed occasionally. Volunteers are also needed to help seniors and disabled individuals clean their homes and provide companionship. Volunteers may be asked to drive seniors and disabled individuals to doctor’s appointments and to the grocery store. Transportation may be needed once a month or once a week. Community members can volunteer monthly, weekly or occasionally. Call Janeen Leachman, director, at (509) 467-2900.

Odyssey Youth Center – Volunteers are needed to cook meals for local youth who may not get a hot, wholesome meal at home or anywhere else. Meal preparation would serve 10 to 20 in a house-sized kitchen, Wednesdays through Fridays, from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. For more information, call Joel Williamson, volunteer coordinator at (509) 325-3637 or visit www.odysseyyouth.org.

Page Ahead – Page Ahead Literacy’s Program is looking for volunteers to be story time readers to read to children in preschool and kindergarten classrooms during the 2010-’11 school year. Training is provided and schools are located throughout the Spokane, Spokane Valley and surrounding areas. Volunteers can choose a weekly, bimonthly, or monthly schedule and must commit to a full school calendar year. Volunteers must agree to a background check. This is an ongoing opportunity. Call Carrie Brown at (509) 535-1613 or e-mail cbrown@pageahead.org.

Salvation Army – The Salvation Army Food Bank is in need of volunteers to help sort and hand out food, along with helping clients’ shops and processing donations. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old, be able to lift up to 25 pounds, have good customer service skills and pass a criminal background check. For more information call (509) 325-5005 or visit www.salvationarmyspokane.org.

Second Harvest Inland Northwest – Second Harvest is in need of volunteers to help sort and pack produce, food drive or bulk food items in preparation for delivery to the food bank’s emergency food outlets. Volunteers must be age 14 and older and be able to stand for two hours. For more information call Julie at (509) 252-6242 or visit www.2-harvest.org.

Sierra Club, Upper Columbia River Group – Many volunteer opportunities to work in the outdoors and for those who are enthusiastic about keeping the environment clean. Call Chris Bachman at (509) 280-8159 or visit www.sierraclub.org/ ico/Spokane.

SpokAnimal C.A.R.E. – Volunteers who are at least 15 years old are needed to help maintain a healthy and sanitary environment for SpokAnimal’s cats. Includes assisting in cleaning litter pans, thoroughly disinfecting cages, feeding and taking time to hold, brush and play with the cats. Call Kandace Watkins, outreach and volunteer coordinator, at (509) 534-8133.

Spokane COPS – Community volunteers are needed for assistance with crime-prevention. Volunteers will receive professional training by crime-prevention agencies, police officers and officers with the Department of Corrections. For more information, visit any Spokane COPS or visit www.spokanecops.org.

Spokane Valley Meals on Wheels – Volunteers are needed to deliver hot meals to elderly and disabled people in Spokane Valley. Volunteers will also need to check on the well-being of each person on their route. Volunteers may choose to drive a route any day, Monday through Friday, or drive as a substitute on flexible days. Meals will be picked up at 11 a.m. and delivered to approximately 15 people and delivery time is approximately 90 minutes. Volunteers are also needed to help prepare meals for elderly and disabled people. All skill levels are needed. Volunteers must use their own vehicles to deliver meals and must pass a background check. For more information, call Pam Almeida, executive director, at (509) 924-6976 or visit www.valleymow.org.

Transitions – Volunteers are needed for Transitions Medicaid Treatment Child Care program and Educare program, to help the teachers in the classroom. The children, ages 2 to 6, are behaviorally challenged and have special needs requiring extra help and attention. Volunteers will be required to attend two-hour training due to the special nature of the environment. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and pass a Washington state background check. Three-hour-a-week block commitment is needed. For more information, call Jaki Brophy at (509) 328-6702 or visit www.help4women.com.

Union Gospel Mission – Volunteers are needed for the men’s and the women’s and children’s facilities. Duties for the men’s facility include clothing room sorters, kitchen help; checking in residents, administration duties, pantry/donations managers, and building relationships through teaching classes, evangelism, tutors, etc. Duties for the women’s and children’s facility include updating and maintaining office paperwork; provide security for the facility, such as ensuring the health and safety of all guests; and worship leader, game leader, and other general supervision duties. For more information, call Greg Barclay, Director of Volunteers, at (509) 535-8510 or visit www.ugmspokane.org.

Vanessa Behan Crisis Nursery – Certified houseparents are needed for at-risk children in the Spokane community. Shifts are between four and eight hours per week and will include diapering, bathing and food preparation. Training will be provided; volunteers must meet state requirements. For more information, call Teresa Venne, volunteer coordinator, at (509) 534-7099 or visit www.vanessabehan.org.

Victims Rights Response Team – Volunteers to become advocates for victims of sexual assault and other crimes. Community volunteers will provide medical and legal advocacy, crisis intervention and information referral to victims of sexual assault and other crimes. Comprehensive 35-hour training is provided and commitments of two evening or weekend shifts per month are required, and stipends are available. For more information, contact Mandy Iverson, volunteer coordinator at (509) 343-5005.