Teach and be taught:Instruct a class at a senior center. Create a plan and teach courses from cooking to arts and crafts to willing participants.
Greet the world:Volunteer at a visitor center and direct guests from all over the world to the best places to go in Thurston County.
Higher office:Be a volunteer receptionist at the Secretary of State office. Answer phones and contribute light clerical work in a dignified workplace.
Coffee & doughnuts:Volunteer to make morning runs to coffee shops to pick up coffee and pastries, which have been donated to a food bank.
Kids in America:Help facilitate a workshop teaching impressionable youth important skills. Contribute your knowledge and experience in life.
Sing out loud:Share your gift of song with the residents of a retirement home. Perform old standards and new hits to an appreciative audience as part of a caroling group.
Love a lawn:Help a nonprofit group keep its grounds presentable by donating your lawn mowing and gardening skills to their cause.
Driven:Help transport seniors to and from an adult community center in Yelm. Vehicle is provided.
Game of life:Volunteer at the upcoming Senior Games. Help set up venues, register and assist athletes, and provide needed services.
Parks and recreation:Spend one day a week outdoors with a friendly group helping to maintain a local, Japanese garden.
ADDITIONAL VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Mercy Housing Evergreen Vista Apartments:Needs volunteers to buy $25 worth of nutritious snacks, using your money, for their homework club. You would buy the snacks and deliver them to Evergreen Vista. Several volunteers are needed each month. Call Lindsay, 360-352-1315, for additional information.
Dispute Resolution CenterNeeds volunteers to help people resolve their conflicts with friends, neighbors, families, co-workers, landlords or businesses. Learn how to be a neutral listener for four hours per week. Call 360-956-1155. Providence St. Peter Hospital has fun and rewarding volunteer positions in their gift shops. Profits from the gift shops fund much needed equipment for the hospital. Call Volunteer Services at 360-493-7482.
the Crisis Clinic of Thurston and Mason CountiesNeeds help staffing their hot lines. Hot line volunteers offer free, anonymous, confidential, and nonjudgmental crisis intervention over the phone 24 hours a day. Volunteers receive training. For more information about the 60-hour training, call Jill at 586-2888 ext. 103, or log on to: www.crisis-clinic.org.
The North Olympia Fire DepartmentHas established a Fire Corps program and is seeking volunteers to create Web sites, maintain vehicles, promote life safety education, or work with teen fire cadets. For more information, call Lt. Derek Hall at 360-705-0234 or send an e-mail to hall@northolympiafire.com.
The Habitat for Humanity ReStoreIs looking for volunteer help in soliciting donations for its new and used building supply store. For more information, call Alex at 360-753-1575 or send an e-mail to volunteer@spshabitat.org.
Stitches from the HeartNeeds volunteers to knit, crochet or quilt blankets, sweaters and hats for babies in need. These items are donated to hospitals all over the country. Patterns available. 877-985-9212 or www.StitchesFromTheHeart.org.
The American Red Cross Mount Rainier ChapterIs looking for volunteers to support military service members and military families with emergency communications and casework services. For more information, call 360-352-8575.
Friend to FriendIs looking for volunteers to visit one on one with residents in nursing, assisted-living and retirement homes throughout Puget Sound. Call 888-383-7818.
Pastoral Care ProgramNeeds volunteers to provide lay, nondenominational ministry services to patients and families in a medical setting. Spiritual care-based training will be provided, as well as ongoing supervision and training. Call Renee Crotty at 360-956-1415.
Thurston County Search and Rescue Teams are seeking volunteers for the following specialties: ground search, mounted patrol (horse teams), dog teams, mobile units (4x4, SUV, pickup), mountain bike, quads, radio operators, logistic report and medical support specialists. Call 360-455-8002.
Rosie’s Place,A drop-in center for high-risk youths ages 12-21, is looking for people to fill various volunteer positions. Call Carli at 360-943-0780, ext. 129.
The Hampton Alzheimer’s Special Care Centeris in need of volunteers to entertain guests by playing an instrument, or assist in craft-related activities such as painting. Contact LaRay at 360-786-6062.
Kokua needs volunteers to be buddies to its clients and help support them with community activities, visiting the library, attending church or achieving a lifetime goal. For more information, call Cary Richardson at 360-705-4665, ext. 108, or go to www.kokuaservices.com.
Mason County Literacy has many volunteer jobs available, including tutoring positions in math, reading, GED preparation and ESL (English as a second language). Volunteers also are needed to do office work, child care and database management. Call 360-426-9733.
SafePlace needs volunteers and interns to provide support to those affected by domestic and sexual abuse. Call 360-754-6389, ext. 103.
Alterra ClareBridge needs volunteers in its local memory care assisted-living facility. Contact the activity director at 360-236-1400.
The Hugs Projectneeds volunteers who sew, knit or crochet to create items for the care packages it sends to all branches of the military. Call 360-493-6090.
Thurston County Sheriff’s Jeep Patrol needs volunteers to assist emergency services during natural disasters. Requirements: minimum age of 21, running 4x4, valid driver’s license and proof of insurance. A background check will be performed on all applicants. Call 360-280-2866.
City of Olympia Safe & Sober Drivingseeks volunteers who have been injured or have had a loved one injured or killed by a drunken driver to share their stories with the DUI Victim Impact Panel. Call Patty or Cheryl at 360-753-8284.
