Volunteer 1/8/2010

HAPPY NEW YEAR! I hope everyone had a great holiday season. I know the column is going out one day early. But it’s that time of year again….the snow has arrived and some people in the community need your help! We are looking for anyone who would be interested in shoveling driveways and sidewalks (remember…it’s good exercise if that is your new year’s resolution). If you are interested, contact me and I can give you more details.

Anyways, here is this week’s volunteer needs column, the first one of 2010! I hope that you can find something that fits your interests. Please let me know if you have any questions. Stay warm, safe and have a great day!


If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities call the United Way of Greater Lafayette at 742-9077 x 227, email samantha@uw.lafayette.in.us,


Regency Place is making changes and is in need of volunteers! They will be opening a gift shop. They are looking to have it open for 4 hours a week total. Volunteers could split up the shifts to 2 hours. They would also like volunteers to provide workshops i.e.- educational lectures, teaching, crafts, woodworking, painting, starting a Regency Choir , etc.). Volunteers must be willing to dedicate their time on a regular basis, 1 time a week or in some cases 1 time a month.

The Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center in Delphi, Ind. is looking for volunteers who can give 4hrs. a week to help with the following: baby feeders, animal care, maintenance, cage building and repair, clerical, rescue, data entry, phones, or grant writing. If you are interested learning more please visit www.wildcatwildlifecenter.org

The Art Museum would like to assemble a team of volunteers who would enjoy learning about our exhibitions and permanent collection, helping visitors and monitoring the art galleries. Exhibitions are January 22-March 20. Training needs to be completed on January 25, at 10:30 AM at the Art Museum. If you are unable to attend this training, an alternate training time will be scheduled. Greet museum visitors at the information and security desk at the entrance to the East Gallery, answer questions and keep an eye on the galleries. Gallery Hours are 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM Tuesday through Saturday. Volunteer schedules will vary.

Lafayette Transitional Housing Center is in dire need of volunteers to help with data entry and sorting donations.

The American Cancer Society's Relay for Life is looking for committed volunteers to assist with planning our 2010 event. As a member of the committee you will have the opportunity to fight back against cancer, work with a fun group of people, and help plan one of Tippecanoe County's largest events. Volunteers are needed to assist in many areas of the committee including Team Development, Promotions, Advocacy, Mission, and many other types of activities.

The YWCA is having a call out on January 20th at 6pm to recruit new volunteers. They utilize volunteers in different capacities depending on departments. Some opportunities may include: office help with filing and mailers, answering office phones, answering the crisis line, or helping with children’s programming. They are looking for men and women ages 18 and older, who have time to give and would be interested in learning new skills, getting domestic violence education, and working with women and children.

The Lafayette Crisis Center is seeking new volunteers. They are a non-profit 24/7 Crisis/I&R hotline that provides a wide range of services to our community. Training is provided so no experience is necessary! Training begins soon, contact for more details.

Volunteer Opportunities 12-11-09

I hope everyone had a great weekend! Remember that this is a great time of year to give back to the community and giving your time to help with a holiday need is a great way to do it. We have many new opportunities this week. Please contact me at samantha@uw.lafayette.in.us for more information on any of the listings.

Don't forget! We also have a our Holiday Giving Tree in progress. This is another way to give back. This program supports the local non-profits and their clients. There are 38 different agencies requesting items or your time this year. There are a total of 365 needs! If you are interested in picking out an ornament please visit any of the tree locations, they are as follows:

Guaranteed Transmission (on St. Rd. 38 near Tippecanoe Mall)
Teacher's Delight (on Farabee Drive, near the movie theater)
Family Video (on S. 9th Street near 350)
Purdue Athletic Office (IAF Building)

We are adding 2 additional tree locations:
Christos (in Lafayette on Teal Road)
Christos (in West Lafayette on US 52)

If you have any questions about the Holiday Giving Tree, please contact me. Here are this week's volunteer opportunities. Have a wonderful week!

The Volunteer Center would like to congratulate our November 2009 Take a Volunteer to Lunch winner, Mason Hollingsworth and our December winner, Austin Hollingsworth! They will receive a lunch for two at Arni’s Restaurant! Mason and Austin are volunteers with the CFRC and at Tippecanoe Villa. They are participating in the TACT (teen volunteers) program. Recently, they come up with doing a talent show at Tippecanoe Villa and involved the other TACT members. Congrats to Mason & Austin and Thank You Arni’s!

Westminster Village is currently seeking warm-hearted volunteers with a passion for health and fitness to lead group exercise on Saturday mornings for residents in our licensed care areas. Volunteers will receive full training and need not have previous experience leading group exercise. Exercises are seated and may include the use of props, such as balls, scarves, light weights, canes and others. Volunteers should feel comfortable leading a group, be able to enunciate clearly, have a passion for working with seniors and be patient.

The Lafayette Adult Resource Academy (LARA) is in need of volunteer-tutors. Volunteers are needed from 8:30 to 11:30 A.M, 12:00 noon to 3:00 P.M and 5:30 to 8:30 PM. They may also help from 8:30 A.M. to 8:00 P.M. in the WorkOne Express Site. Volunteers must attend training sessions.

Volunteers are needed for the holidays at Lafayette Urban Ministry’s Homeless Shelter. One volunteer is needed for December 17 and 20th. Two volunteers for December 23, 26, 29, 30 and three volunteers for December 25 and 31. And three volunteers for January 1, 2, 3, 4, 7, and 8. Two volunteers are needed for January 3, 5, 6, and 9.

Trinity Mission is in need of a receptionist/office person to help during the week. Volunteers will not need to come in everyday; they are very flexible with schedule.

Tippecanoe County Child Care is in need of volunteers to help with homework in their afterschool programs. They would like to have at least 3 people to help students K-5th grade from 3:30-5:00 at Earhart and 2 people at Miller from 4:30-6:00 each school day.

Clarian Arnett Hospice is seeking volunteers to assist hospice patients and families. Volunteers are trained. Volunteer’s gifts are matched to need. Volunteers will need to fill out an application and must be over 18.

Want to make a difference in only 4 hours a month? Mental Health America is looking for volunteers to spend time with an individual recovering from a mental health challenge. Training and support is provided. Volunteers 30 and over are especially encouraged to apply!

The Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center in Delphi, Ind. is looking for volunteers who can work 4 hours week to help with the following: baby feeders, animal care, maintenance, rescue, clerical, data entry, phones, grant writer, and accountant.

Holiday Volunteer Needs 12-4-09

Can you believe it is already December?! Before we know it, we will be ringing in the new year! This is a great time of year to give back to the community and giving your time to help with a holiday need is a great way to do it. We have many new opportunities this week. Please contact me at samantha@uw.lafayette.in.us for more information on any of the listings.

We also have a our Holiday Giving Tree in progress. This is another way to give back. This program supports the local non-profits and their clients. There are 38 different agencies requesting items or your time this year. There are a total of 365 needs! If you are interested in picking out an ornament please visit any of the tree locations, they are as follows:

Guaranteed Transmission (on St. Rd. 38 near Tippecanoe Mall)
Teacher's Delight (on Farabee Drive, near the movie theater)
Family Video (on S. 9th Street near 350)
Purdue Athletic Office (IAF Building)

If you have any questions about the Holiday Giving Tree, please contact me. Here are this week's volunteer opportunities. Have a wonderful and warm weekend!

The Volunteer Center would like to congratulate our October 2009 Take a Volunteer to Lunch winner, Judi Rausch! She will receive a lunch for two at Sgt. Preston’s! Judi is a volunteer at Meals on Wheels. Ms. Rausch has been volunteering for the past 3 years every week. In the mornings she helps seal the meals and afterwards delivers them! She is a huge asset to Meals on wheels. Congrats Judi and Thank You Sgt. Preston’s!

Trinity Mission is in need of a receptionist/office person to help during the week. Volunteers will not need to come in everyday; they are very flexible with schedule. Please contact Deena Byrkett at 742-1060

Tippecanoe County Child Care is in need of volunteers to help with homework in their afterschool programs. They would like to have at least 3 people to help students K-5th grade from 3:30-5:00 at Earhart and 2 people at Miller from 4:30-6:00 each school day. Jackie Mize at jmize@tcchildcare.com

Clarian Arnett Hospice is seeking volunteers to assist hospice patients and families. Volunteers are trained. Volunteer’s gifts are matched to need. Volunteers will need to fill out an application and must be over 18. Contact- Tom Brown at 866-272-5083 or tbrown20@calrian.org.

Want to make a difference in only 4 hours a month? Mental Health America is looking for volunteers to spend time with an individual recovering from a mental health challenge. Training and support is provided. Volunteers 30 and over are especially encouraged to apply! Contact Jayme Zobrist at jzobrist@mhalafayette.org or 742-1800.

Caregiver Companion is seeking volunteers to help with some light housekeeping and general upkeep of the building. For more information, contact Helen of Marilyn at 765-423-1879.

Westminster Village is seeking warmhearted individuals to read to residents. Volunteers should be comfortable reading to small groups. Additionally, readers must be able to speak clearly and enunciate well. A 1 hour per week commitment for the duration of 6 months is preferable. For more information, contact Emily McKinley 765.464.5115 or emckinley@wvwl.org

The Wildcat Creek Wildlife Center in Delphi, Ind. is looking for volunteers who can work 4 hours week to help with the following: baby feeders, animal care, maintenance, rescue, clerical, data entry, phones, grant writer, and accountant. Contact Sheri at 765-463-5724 or see www.wildcatwildlifecenter.org

Circle of Friends (which offers creative programs for people with memory loss) needs help revitalizing & enhancing its website. After a preliminary meeting the project can be worked on independently. Initial improvements desired by December 31st. Ongoing web assistance would be appreciated but not required. Contact Suzan Windnagel at suzan@my-circle-of-friends.org or

765-714-6173