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Here are this week's volunteer needs in the Yakima Valley:

* SENIOR COMPANION: Do you enjoy taking your neighbor to the grocery store? Are you always helping a friend with transportation? If you are 60 or older, you may be eligible to become a Senior Companion.

Volunteers are needed from 15 to 20 hours per week. A stipend and mileage reimbursement may also be available. Applicants must undergo a background check.

Contact Dona Ward, area coordinator, at 965-7100.

* WELLNESS HOUSE: Wellness House is looking for six volunteers to help in the office and six volunteers to help with Cancer Centers. The office volunteers would be answering phones, greeting clients, making reminder calls and a variety of other tasks. Volunteers are needed Mondays-Fridays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and from 1 to 4 p.m. The Cancer Center volunteers are needed during the morning hours. There will be training provided for both opportunities.

For more information or to volunteer, call the Wellness Center at 575-6686.

* ELEMENTARY SCHOOL: Kirkwood Elementary School in Toppenish is looking for volunteers for the following opportunities:

Teacher Prep Assistant -- Volunteers will help organize library and help prepare classrooms. Volunteers will be sorting, filing, copying and laminating. They are needed Mondays-Fridays (at least once a week) from 9 a.m. to noon and from noon to 3 p.m. An orientation will be provided.

General Tutor -- Volunteers will help students catch up on their homework. Volunteers will listen to children read, help them with math and assist them with their writing assignments. Volunteers are needed Mondays-Thursdays from 10:55 a.m. to 12:55 p.m. Training will be provided.

Reading Tutor -- Volunteers will help children improve their reading using "Open Court" techniques. Volunteers will work with children one-on-one and listen to them read. Training in "Open Court" techniques will be provided.

All potential volunteers must complete an application and have a criminal background check done by the school.

For more information, contact Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* CASA VOLUNTEERS: Volunteers are needed to be advocates for abused and neglected children in our community. If you are willing to commit time to making a difference in the life of a child, you will be trained to serve as an independent advocate. CASA volunteers have a variety of professional, educational and ethnic backgrounds. No special experience is required. Volunteers are selected on the basis of their objectivity, competence and commitment.

Call Anna Martinez at Yakima County Juvenile Court CASA at 574-2068.

* HOSPICE HELPERS: Yakima Valley Memorial Hospice is in need of compassionate individuals. Volunteer team members will assist patients and their families living with a terminal illness. Volunteers will have the opportunity to share time while supporting families in a variety of ways -- caregiver relief, companionship and emotional support, light-meal preparation, light house and yard work, medication deliveries, leisure activities and bereavement support.

Hospice training is required and facilitated by qualified staff. The next volunteer training is scheduled for Monday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (lunch from noon to 1 p.m.) and Tuesday at the same time.

For additional information and training location, call Julie Fraser at 574-3655.

* Volunteer Opportunities is prepared by Sirena Phillips, volunteer coordinator of Yakima's Retired Senior Volunteer Program. Contact her at 574-1933, 120 S. Third St. Suite 200B, Yakima, WA 98901, or sirena.phillips@co.yakima.wa.us.