South Sound volunteer opportunities for March 27
THE VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU needs volunteers to work 4-hour shifts in the Visitor Information Center, assisting visitors who come in or call the office for information. General computer skills are important, especially the ability to look up information online. Volunteers should have a good understanding of Thurston County, as well as a general sense of other areas of the state. Current openings are for 1-5 p.m. Mondays and 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Fridays; occasionally additional shifts are open for substitutes. Contact Jennifer Leach at jenniferleach@visitolympia.com or 360-704-7544 for more information. Potential volunteers will be required to attend training before their first shift.
MERCY HOUSING’S EVERGREEN VISTA APARTMENTS needs volunteers to provide snacks to low-income school-age children in its after-school Homework Club. Volunteers purchase, donate and deliver snacks such as fresh fruits, raw veggies with dip, low-fat yogurt and cheese, graham crackers, whole wheat crackers, and unsalted nuts once a month. To volunteer or get more information, call the resident services coordinator at 360-352-1315.
THE FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER needs volunteers to help at Pear Blossom Place, its 24-hour family shelter in Olympia. It has a wide variety of shifts and needs to fill, including evenings and weekends. Training is provided and children are welcome to volunteer alongside their parents. For more information, contact Katherine at katherinec@fscss.org.
RETIRED AND SENIOR VOLUNTEER PROGRAM (RSVP) connects citizens age 55 and older with meaningful volunteer opportunities in Thurston County. Short-term projects or longer-term commitments are available. Current opportunities: The Thurston County Food Bank needs volunteers to sort donations, pack boxes, distribute food, and help those seeking assistance. The Boys and Girls Club of Thurston County needs volunteer mentors to work with students after school. The YWCA needs volunteers to help kids with math skills after school. Mercy Housing Northwest and TOGETHER! need volunteers to work at an after-school homework club. The Family Support Center needs volunteers to serve as shelter hosts. To sign up or learn more, call Jennifer Thompson at 360-943-2773, ext. 21, or visit www.unitedway-thurston.org and click on RSVP!
THE CRISIS CLINIC OF THURSTON AND MASON COUNTIES needs volunteers for its Crisis Line and Youth Help Line. After receiving 60 hours of training, volunteers offer free, anonymous, confidential, and nonjudgmental crisis intervention over the phone. The help lines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For details about the training, call Nanci at 360-586-2888 ext. 103, or log on to crisis-clinic.org. The Crisis Clinic also needs volunteers for its working board.
THURSTON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE needs volunteers to help with vacation house checks, business checks, handicap parking violations, iris scan, traffic control at special events, speaking engagements, multi-housing/block watch, and other duties. Each volunteer must complete a field training program and probation status. Applicants must be at least 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 Gerry Jorgensen at 360-438-9398 or RJGJJorge@juno.com, or Greg Young at 360-352-9996. Fill out a volunteer application, and return it with picture ID to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office at 2000 Lakeridge Ave. SW, Olympia.
SENIOR SERVICES FOR SOUTH SOUND is a nonprofit dedicated to helping those 55 and older remain independent in Thurston and Mason counties. Current needs: Volunteers to drive clients to and from essential appointments. Volunteers activities assistants for the STARS respite care program in Lacey; hours are 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays. Volunteer kitchen and dining crew at the Olympia Senior Center to help with dining room setup, meal prep, serving and cleanup; hours are 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. Call Isaac at 360-586-6181, ext. 131, or email volunteer@southsoundseniors.org for additional information, or complete a volunteer application online at www.southsoundseniors.org.
SEA MAR COMMUNITY HEALTH CENTER needs volunteers to help with administrative duties, maintain its community garden, make educational displays, and community outreach. Stop by the clinic at 3030 Limited Lane, Olympia, call 360-704-7574 or go to seamarchc.org to learn more.
This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "South Sound volunteer opportunities for March 27."