South Sound volunteer opportunities

VOLUNTEER CONNECTION is a website that matches volunteers with positions. More than 100 Thurston County non-profit agencies post their needs and events on the site. Volunteers fill out a mini profile and click on positions they find interesting at www.unitedway-thurston.org/VOLUNTEER. For more information, call Sara Kukkonen at 360-943-2773, ext. 22.

LOVING HEARTS is a crocheting and knitting group making items for charities that serve babies, cancer patients, and people in shelters. It needs more people willing to knit and crochet. The group meets from 12:30-2:30 p.m. the third and fourth Mondays of each month at Yards of Yarn, 1800 Olympic Highway S, Shelton. For more information, or to donate yarn, call Hilda at 360-432-8295.

THE YWCA OF OLYMPIA needs volunteers to work four-hour shifts in the office and 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 360-352-0593 to volunteer or donate.

THE BIGELOW HOUSE MUSEUM needs volunteers to tell the story of early Washington and pioneers Daniel and Ann Elizabeth Bigelow. Volunteers lead tours, coordinate events, manage membership records, or care for the house and gardens. Visit www.bigelowhouse.org, email bigelowhousemuseum@gmail.com or call 360-753-1215.

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 lines are staffed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. For details about the training, call Courtney at 360-586-2888 ext. 110, or go to crisis-clinic.org. The Crisis Clinic also needs volunteers for its working board.

SOUND LEARNING needs volunteers to help with daily operations of the adult learning agency. Tasks include filing, copying, and answering phones. There also is an ongoing need for help with tutoring and special events. Opportunities also include creative projects such as designing window displays. For information, call Tracy Moore, at 360-426-9733 or email tmoore@soundlearning.co or go to soundlearning.co for an application.

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.

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 proper picture ID to the Thurston County Sheriff’s Office at 2000 Lakeridge Ave. SW, Olympia.

SENIOR SERVICES FOR SOUTH SOU ND is a nonprofit dedicated to helping those 55 and older remain vital and independent in Thurston and Mason counties. It needs senior transportation drivers to take clients to and from essential appointments. Volunteers can use their own vehicle, with mileage reimbursement, or one of the agency vehicles. It also needs activities assistants for its STARS respite care program in Lacey, and kitchen and dining crew at The Olympia Senior Center to help with dining room setup, meal prep, serving and cleanup from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Mondays-Fridays. A foodhandler's permit is required for meal prep. Call Isaac at 360-586-6181, ext. 131, or email volunteer@southsoundseniors.org for more 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 online to seamarchc.org to learn more.

This story was originally published June 19, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "South Sound volunteer opportunities."