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thurston county seeks citizen volunteers: Thurston County needs volunteers to serve on advisory boards, committees, and commissions. These groups meet on a regular basis and make recommendations on important issues to the Board of County Commissioners. Current vacancies include positions on the Area Agency on Aging Advisory Board, Agriculture Advisory Board, Boundary Review Board, Historic Commission, Parks and Recreation Advisory Board, Thurston County Fair Board, Water Conservancy Board, and the Veterans Advisory Board. Go to co.thurston.wa.us/bocc to obtain an application, or call Danielle Westbrook, 360-786-5414, for more information.
Thurston county sheriff’s office needs volunteers to assist the Sheriff’s office by providing and increasing community services that would normally require a commissioned officer. Some opportunites include vacation house checks, business checks, handicap parking violations, Iris Scan, traffic control at special events, speaking engagements, and multi-housing/block watch. Each volunteer must complete the two-week volunteer academy, a field training program, and probation status. Applicants must be 18 years old, have the ability to volunteer for four hours per week, have a valid Washington driver’s license, no criminal history, and a certificate of good health from their doctor. To apply, contact Lt. John Price, and fill out a volunteer application returning it with proper picture ID to the Sheriff’s Office at 2000 Lakeridge Ave. S.W., Olympia. Call 360-786-5657, or email pricej@co.thurston.wa.us for more information.
RETIRED & SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP) places volunteers older than 55 in a variety of positions throughout Thurston, Mason and Lewis counties. Current opportunities include: volunteer at a local high school robotics club; help callers through the Crisis Clinic call center; donate your time at a local organic farm; help staff a recycling station at the Olympia Farmers Market; mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters; volunteer as an office aide at a Senior Center; coordinate a cooking club at a retirement center; be a community event volunteer for a children’s museum; or help kids through a homework club. Assignments can be short projects or on-going. Contact Jennifer Thompson at 360-943-2773, ext. 21, or go to unitedway-thurston.org, and select RSVP.
Olympia farmers market needs volunteers to help the public with recycling and composting at its waste centers. No handling or lifting is expected. Individuals, groups and organizations are welcome. Training is provided. Volunteers are needed anytime between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Thursdays-Sundays. Call Spencer Orman at 360-753-8752, or email sorman@ci.olympia.wa.us for more information. Learn more at olympiawa.gov/employment-and-volunteering.aspx.
tumwater farmers market needs volunteers to help organize and promote events as well as serve on the planning board. The Tumwater Farmers Market operates mid-day every Wednesday, June through October. Call 360-464-5879 to help out.
sound learning in Shelton provides alternative education opportunities for adults in both basic skills (reading, writing, math and GED prep) and English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL). Opportunities include serving as an adult education tutor, a children’s program volunteer, or a general volunteer to help with special projects and /or office administration. Call 360-426-9733 or go to soundlearning.com for an application.
the ywca of olympia needs volunteers to fill the following openings: day center hostess, serving homeless women for two-hour shifts; office volunteers for four-hour shifts; and volunteers to stock the shelves of The Other Bank on Tuesdays. In addition, the YWCA always accepts donations of hygiene items such as shampoo and dish soap. Call Bree Lafreniere at 360-352-0593 to volunteer or donate.
GIRL SCOUTS OF WESTERN WASHINGTON has many girls in Thurston County interested in Girl Scouts but it needs adult volunteers, particularly to work with Brownie Girl Scouts in grades 2-3. Call 253-798-5015, or go to the website and complete a Volunteer Application: GirlScoutsWW.org Click “Volunteer” then “Apply Today”.
boots to shoes foundation is a nonprofit organization founded by two Washington businessmen to show their appreciation to military service members. Volunteer mentors attend a free mentoring workshop, then are paired with a veteran who they meet with twice a month. Mentors provide insight into the civilian workforce and discuss career goals and job search strategies. Go to bootstoshoes.org.
The Center for natural lands management needs volunteers for Tuesdays and the second Saturday of each month to gather at a South Puget Sound prairie preserve to do critical environmental restoration work. Activities range from burning brush piles and planting native wildflowers and grasses, to native plant seed collection and cleaning. Call 360-570-0762 or email ssvolunteers@cnlm.org to volunteer.
friends of paul grudis needs volunteers to purchase and deliver nutritious snacks for the homework club at Evergreen Vista. Also needed are donations of housewares, bedding, towels and kitchen wares. Several volunteers are needed each month. Call Lindsay at 360-352-1315.
Dispute Resolution Center needs 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.
kokua needs volunteers to “Be a Buddy” to an adult with disabilities. Volunteers are partnered with an individual with similar interests to go on outings or visit in the client’s home. Must be age 18 or older and pass a background check. Contact Randi Miller at 360-705-4665, ext. 120.
The Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater Visitor & Convention Bureau is looking for volunteers to staff the Visitor Center on the Capital Campus on weekends starting Memorial Day through Labor Day. We need volunteers willing to work from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. on Saturday and/or Sunday. Must enjoy greeting visitors and helping them locate information about the Capital Campus and Thurston County. To sign up contact Cathy Mah at 360/704-7544 or via email at cathy@visitolympia.com.
THE CRISIS CLINIC OF THURSTON AND MASON COUNTIES needs volunteers for its Crisis Line and Youth Help Line. Volunteers, after receiving 60 hours of training, offer free, anonymous, confidential, and nonjudgmental crisis intervention over the phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For details about the training call David at 360-586-2888 ext. 103, or log on to: crisis-clinic.org. The Crisis Clinic also needs volunteers for its working board.
The North Olympia Fire Department needs volunteers to create websites, maintain vehicles, promote life safety education or work with teen fire cadets. Contact Lt. Derek Hall at 360-705-0234 or hall@northolympiafire.com.
The American Red Cross Mount Rainier Chapter needs volunteers to support military service members and military families with emergency communications and casework services. Call 360-352-8575.
Friend to Friend needs volunteers to visit with residents in nursing, assisted-living and retirement homes throughout Thurston County. Call 888-383-7818.
Rosie’s Place which serves homeless and high-risk youth and their families, has a variety of volunteer opportunities. Contact Susan Alexander at salexander@communityyouthservices.org or 360-943-0780, ext. 116.
City of Olympia Safe & Sober Driving needs 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 360-753-8284.
