South Sound volunteer opportunities

OLYMPIA GROUP HEALTH MEDICAL CENTER needs volunteers to help patients and staff members in a variety of jobs Mondays through Fridays for four-hour shifts. Must pass background checks and go through volunteer training. For more information, go to www1.ghc.org/html/public/governance/volunteer or contact Caron at 206-448-5795.

THE FAMILY SUPPORT CENTER needs volunteers to help at Pear Blossom Place, its 24-hour family shelter in Olympia. It has a variety of shifts 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.

THE CENTER FOR NATURAL LANDS MANAGEMENT needs volunteers to help preserve endangered South Sound prairies. The nonprofit needs volunteers on the prairies on Tuesdays, and from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. each Friday at the nursery. Additionally, volunteer work parties are from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the second Saturday of every month. Information: Hank at hstein@cnlm.org or visit southsoundprairies.org.

WASHINGTON STATE UNIVERSITY LEWIS COUNTY MASTER GARDENERS needs volunteers to become Master Gardeners. Training involves online study, a full-day hands-on training on the third Tuesday of each month, and field experience in plant clinics and demonstration gardens. Monthly evening business meetings are on the fourth Tuesday of each month, and include continuing education. Applications for the training program are available at lewis-mg-mrc.org/training/mg_training_information. Cost is $200. Information: 360-740-1216 or art.fuller@lewiscountywa.gov.

THE VISITOR & CONVENTION BUREAU needs volunteers to work four-hour shifts in the Visitor Information Center, helping visitors who walk through the doors or call the office, and putting together mailings in response to requests for information. General computer skills are important, especially the ability to look up information online. Volunteers should have a good understanding of Thurston County, and a general sense of other areas of the state. Current openings are 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 call 360-704-7544 for more information. Potential volunteers will be required to attend training before their first shift.

EVERGREEN VISTA HOMEWORK CLUB Mercy Housing is a nonprofit organization that provides affordable housing for low-income families, seniors and people with special needs. In Olympia, Mercy Housing runs Evergreen Vista Apartments at 1209 Fern St. SW, where it offers a Homework Club got school-age children after school. Evergreen Vista needs volunteers to purchase, donate and deliver healthful snacks for the children. Snacks can include fresh fruits, raw vegetables with dip, lowfat yogurt and cheese, graham crackers, whole wheat crackers and unsalted nuts. To volunteer to provide healthful snacks once a month, or for more information, call the resident services coordinator at 360-352-1315.

HEARTSTRIDES is a nonprofit program off of Littlerock Road in Tumwater that offers therapeutic riding and horsemanship opportunities to all ages and abilities. It needs volunteers to serve as side walkers and note-takers, and to assist with fundraising efforts. For more information, contact volunteer coordinator Jodie at 360-561-5328, or email heartstrides@gmail.com, or go to heartstridestherapeuticridingandhorsemanship.yolasite.com.

MASON COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE needs retirees to assist with administrative duties, including answering phones, fingerprinting, permit issuance and public awareness programs. Assignments out on the road are available after six months of administrative duties. A 12-hour training program will be provided. Volunteers work four-hour shifts each week at the North Precinct in Belfair. Interested parties can obtain a volunteer application by contacting Chief Civil Deputy Jan Shepherd at 360-275-4255, 360-427-9670, ext. 316, or jshepherd@co.mason.wa.us. Interested parties also can stop by the North Precinct at 23293 NE state Route 3 in Belfair to pick up an application. A background check is required for this position.

DISPUTE RESOLUTION CENTER needs volunteers to help with bulk mailings for roughly two hours at a time. Duties include folding and applying address labels. Snacks are provided. Call the center at 360-956-1155.

This story was originally published August 20, 2015 at 1:23 PM with the headline "South Sound volunteer opportunities."