In brief: Volunteer care ombudsmen sought

NORTHWEST – Long Term Care Ombudsmen are needed to volunteer in the north Spokane area.

The ombudsmen routinely visit nursing homes, adult family homes and boarding homes. They act as advocates for those who reside in long-term care facilities and protect and promote the rights of residents. They are also welcome visitors to those who often receive very few guests.

Those interested in volunteering may attend a four-day training session, held Sept. 23, 24, 28 and Oct. 1. Participants who attend the 30-hour training will receive certification as a long-term care ombudsman.

The training is free and lunch will be provided.

Following certification, an ombudsman can expect to spend approximately four hours per week visiting long-term care facilities in their area. Continuing education on issues regarding the program are provided at monthly meetings.

For an application and for more information, call (800) 660-7133 or (509) 456-7133.

School supply drive Saturday

NEVADA/LIDGERWOOD – Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Inland Northwest will have a “Back to School Blitz” on Saturday at Fred Meyer, 400 S. Thor St., beginning at 8 a.m.

The Blitz will give 88 “littles,” or children being mentored through the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, a $100 gift card, along with a 15 percent discount, to Fred Meyer to purchase school clothing. Adult volunteers will help the children with their back to school shopping.

The kids will also receive a backpack filled with school supplies, donated by Home Street Mortgage and Pawn 1.

Other sponsors in the event include Pemco Insurance; Time Warner Cable; US Bank; Rotary-Coeur d’Alene and Fred Meyer.

For more information, call Big Brothers Big Sisters at (509) 328-8310 or (208) 667-0975 or visit www.nwbigs.org.

Salvation Army seeks school supplies

EMERSON/GARFIELD – The Salvation Army, 222 E. Indiana Ave., is reaching out to the community for back to school supplies.

They are expecting 2,500 area students will be in need of school supplies for the 2010-’11 school year and they only have enough supplies to fill 300 backpacks.

Collection barrels are located at all local Fred Meyer, Shopko, Walgreens, and Rite Aid stores, at PrimeSource Credit Union, the Public Safety Building and the United Health Service Credit Union.

Monetary donations will also be accepted at The Salvation Army.

Back to school supply distribution is scheduled for Monday and Tuesday, from 1 to 7 p.m.

For more information, call (509) 325-6821.