11/30/08 Volunteer opportunities

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

* HEALTH CARE HELP: Statewide Health Insurance Benefit Advisers is looking for volunteers to educate consumers about their rights and options on prescription drug access, health insurance and access to health care. Hours are flexible and can be done from home.

Volunteers should have basic computer skills and be interested in helping people and making public presentations. Training will be provided.

For more information, call Donna at 574-1934.

* RECYCLE STORE: ReStore, a home improvement recycling center that's part of Habitat for Humanity, needs volunteers to sort and help with intake and delivery of products brought into the store. Volunteers are needed Saturdays from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

If interested, call Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* RAMP BUILDING: Volunteer Chore Services is looking for volunteers to build wooden wheelchair ramps for low-income elders and low-income adults with disabilities. Ramps need to be built to code. Volunteers will work with a partner to build, repair and recycle the ramps. An orientation will be provided. Hours are flexible depending on the client's needs and the volunteer's availability. All potential volunteers need to have an criminal background check.

Call Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* SPEECH CENTER: The Hearing and Speech Center needs volunteers to load, run and unload a dishwasher to sanitize toys. Volunteers will also be disinfecting other items while the washer is running.

Call Janet Krieger at 453-8248.

* SENIOR CENTER: The Union Gap Senior Center is looking for a volunteer lunch server and dishwasher. Volunteers will help serve lunch and fill the dishwasher after lunch along with cleaning up tables. Training will be provided. Volunteers are needed Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from noon to 2 p.m. A food handler's card and positive attitude are a plus.

Volunteers also need to be able to stand for long periods of time. All potential volunteers need to have an criminal background check done.

Call Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* THRIFT STORE HELP: Plaid Door, a Christian-based thrift/consignment store, needs counter volunteers. These volunteers must be able to handle sales, make change and carefully record consignment information. Volunteers also need to be comfortable meeting the public, be able to be on their feet three to four hours, and occasionally do light lifting.

Many volunteers help two or more afternoons a month. Volunteers never work alone. Store hours are 1-4 p.m. Monday through Saturday. Training is provided.

Call Alice at 966-0546 or St. Episcopal Timothy's at 966-7370.

* PREPARING MEALS: Yakima County Food Services needs volunteers to help with preparation and distribution of meals for the Senior Nutrition Congregate and Home Delivery Program. Volunteers will be doing prep work such as packaging bread and butter, fruit and juices, and the assisting main cook with cleaning and cutting. They would also help load meals into vehicles for delivery, wash dishes and do general cleanup.

A volunteer may be asked periodically to answer phones and hand out weekly meal packages for home-delivery consumers.

Volunteers must complete a criminal background check.

Call Sirena Phillips at 574-1933.

* JUVENILE MENTORS: Juvenile Rehabilitation Administration Mentor Program works to increase juvenile offenders' options for successful re-entry into their community by pairing them with a mentor. Mentors' responsibilities include supporting and assisting youth as they work toward their individual goals through weekly contacts and once a month face-to-face activities.

Volunteers should plan to give a one-year commitment and need to have a criminal background check done by the agency. Initial training will be provided, including follow-up training sessions.

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

* 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.

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