09/07/08 Volunteer Opportunities

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

* ANIMAL RESCUE: A newly established animal rescue group, Wags to Riches Animal Rescue and Sanctuary, has many volunteer opportunities available. The most-pressing areas right now are:

Foster homes -- provide love, attention, time for the rescue group to find a home for a pet. Wags to Riches provides food, support and vet care.

Volunteer coordinator -- Someone is needed to help coordinate the volunteers by keeping in contact with them and telling them about upcoming events or meetings.

Answering phone calls -- Wag to Riches needs someone to respond to phone messages. This can be done in the comfort of your own home.

If interested, contact Kim at www.wagstorichesanimalrescue.org or by calling 453-4155.

* READING TUTORS: Washington Reading Corps tutors are needed for the upcoming school year. Tutors will serve nearly 11 months of service working in the classroom tutoring children to meet grade-level reading requirements. Tutors receive a monthly stipend of $950, health insurance, student loan forbearance and excellent job skills training.

There are openings in Harrah and Toppenish. If interested in applying for an AmeriCorps position, contact Vernita Adolf at 457-2933 or v.a@yvoic.org.

* CLERICAL STAFF: EPIC Parker Heights Center in Wapato is looking for volunteers to help out with its clerical staff. Volunteers will assist with filing, organizing, answering phones and covering the front desk occasionally. Volunteers should have good organizational skills. Bilingual skills (English/Spanish) are helpful, but not required. All potential volunteers will need to fill out a volunteer packet and have a criminal background check.

Contact Mamie Perdue at 248-3950, ext. 108.

* 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.