If your organization or agency utilizes and needs the help of volunteers, contact Jen Thompson at Heartland United Way, 382-2675 or jen@heartlanduway.com.

Volunteer opportunities are printed in two segments and will alternate in Silver Salute. The first half, which appears below, will consist of opportunities working with adults, working with youth, community/professional opportunities and food service. The second part will list opportunities in gardening/maintenance/construction, instruction/education/mentoring, office/clerical, recreational/special projects and transportation.

WORK WITH ADULTS

Adult Basic Education -- Need adult volunteers Monday-Thursday, 9 a.m.-noon and 6-9 p.m. willing to work with adult learners. For more information, contact Penny Holloway at 398-7433.

American Red Cross -- Opportunities to volunteer as fire responders, health and safety instructors, disaster service volunteers, Armed Forces Emergency Services communication volunteers, Bloodmobile volunteers and as chapter support volunteers who share their areas of expertise and talents with the Red Cross. For more information, call 382-3790.

Birthright -- Need adult volunteers to provide free pregnancy testing and support for mothers-to-be. Need to be compassionate and confidential. For more information, call 381-7845.

Bickford Cottage Retirement Center -- Volunteer help would be welcome to read newspapers to residents, play the piano or organ, play card/board games, general companionship or conduct other activities. For more information, contact Donnell Hulse at 384-3800.

Central Nebraska Humane Society -- Volunteer opportunities include adoption counseling, customer service, reception, animal control dispatch, claims and surrenders, dog walking, kennel assistant, cat massage, pet grooming, foster care, dog training, animal transfer driver, office support, computer data entry, fundraising and lawn care. Call 385-5305 for further information.

Crisis Center -- Need volunteers to sort and organize the donation room. Also, crisis line workers needed to respond to calls. One night a week, mandatory 18-hour training. Call LaDonna or Jean at 382-8250.

Girl Scouts Goldenrod Council -- Become a board member, six meetings annually (specific election and term of office). Ongoing: trainer to teach first aid, CPR, leadership, behavior and outdoor skills; summer/fall, challenge course facilitator to supervise girls and adults using high and low courses; September thru May, leaders to work with girls K-12; August thru April, service team to work with adults planning events, be treasurer, secretary or service unit manager. Call 382-2020.

Grand Island Veterans Home -- Volunteer escorts for wheelchair-bound individuals, one-on-one visits and other volunteer opportunities. Flexible schedules, full training and orientation is provided to all volunteers. Contact Joanne Badura at 385-6252, ext. 452.

Goodwill Industries of Greater Nebraska -- Opportunities available in the Behavioral Health Program. Volunteers are needed in the day services programs with arts and crafts, educational groups and socials. Contact Becky at 384-7896, ext. 160. Assistance also needed in retail operations at Grand Island store; contact Jeanie Nouzovsky, store manager, at 384-7010. Contact Rita Jorgensen at 384-7896, ext. 148, for volunteer opportunities in retail operations at the 1804 S. Eddy location.

Lakeview Health & Rehab -- Help with birthday parties and socials, one-on-one visits with residents, reading, bingo and processing newsletter. Contact Recreation Department at 382-6397.

Parish Thrift Store -- Jobs include sorting and pricing merchandise and assisting customers. All positions are volunteer and all proceeds are given back to the poor through Blessed Sacrament Church. Located at the corner of Fourth and Eddy Streets. Call 398-3443. Open for donations Mondays 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Open for business Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Park Place Nursing Home -- One-on-one visits, program assistance. Flexible scheduling. For volunteer opportunities contact Becky Freelend at 382-2635.

Riverside Lodge Retirement Community -- People needed to read newspapers, pop popcorn, assist with jigsaw puzzles, provide general companionship and perform a variety of other activities. For more information, call Cathy Roark at 382-1657.

Salvation Army -- Volunteer opportunities available in food pantry, hot meal program, thrift store, emergency shelter, disaster services, bell ringing and youth group. For more information, call Carol at 382-4855, ext. 205.

Senior Companion Volunteer Program -- People sought for writing letters, reading, visiting, grocery shopping, socializing and assisting with activities in the adult day care. Prefer volunteers to be 60 years or older. Volunteer handymen needed to help clean homes, mow lawns or remove snow. Call Norma at 385-5308.

St. Francis Medical Center -- Seeking individuals to work in the special, unique "Visiting Ours" gift shop, as a cashier and to assist our customers. Refreshment cart volunteers needed to deliver afternoon refreshments to patients from 1:30-3 p.m. Interested adults should call 398-5564.

Stuhr Museum -- Seeking a wide range of volunteers. Friendly people sought for greeting visitors, historical Interpretation, docents and tour guides and special events. If you prefer working behind the scenes, assistance needed with clerical and data entry, gardening and grounds work, research, restoration and sewing projects. Volunteers can receive gift shop discounts, museum memberships and new friends. For more information call Martha Grigsby at 385-5316, or visit www.stuhrmuseum.org on the Internet.

Tabitha Health Care -- Hospice volunteers sought to provide services in respite care, bereavement support, transportation (must have valid drivers license/proof of auto insurance) light housekeeping, preparing meals and providing companionship. Office is located at 2842 Old Fair Road. To help, call 389-6002 and ask for Christine Miller.

Tiffany Square -- Need volunteers to help for "Bingo Time" and games. Help write letters for seniors and visitation with residents. Call 384-2333 for more information.

Wedgewood Care Center -- Help with transportation, tours and group activities, and provide outside interest by sharing talents. Contact Dee Church at 382-5540.

WORK WITH YOUTH

Big Brothers Big Sisters -- Become a mentor and make a difference in the life of a child. Volunteers always needed for youth in Hall, Hamilton, Howard and Merrick counties. For more information, call 384-3456.

Crisis Center -- Need help in the nursery and with children's group on Tuesday nights 6-8 p.m. Call LaDonna or Jean at 382-8250.

Girls and Boys Town Shelter School -- Tutor one-on-one with students ages 10-18 in various subjects. School hours are Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-noon. Call 381-4444 for more info.

Girls & Boys Town Shelter -- Spend one-on-one time with youth building relationships, teaching social skills and assisting with treatment areas. Four hours a week with at-risk youth. Call 38l-4444.

Girl Scouts Goldenrod Council -- Be part of troop or join individually and make friends with girls in grades K-12. Be a Challenge Course facilitator or camp counselor and help girls practicing leadership skills. Plan and design activities for younger girls. For more information, call 382-2020 or 800-627-5940.

Grand Island Veterans Home -- Work with youth who have been assigned to perform community service hours. Contact Joanne Badura at 385-6252, ext. 452.

Heartland CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) -- Advocates/volunteers speak for abused and neglected children in court. Training required. Contact Diana Meyer at 385-5125.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 4-H Program (Hall County) -- If you have an interest in working with youth and making a difference in their lives, consider the the Hall County 4-H program. Volunteers sought year-round for 4-H club activities. Flexible times and hours available for all programs. For additional information, contact D'Ette at 385-5088.

YWCA -- Read to children in daycare and Almost Home program. Call 384-9922.

COMMUNITY/PROFESSIONAL

American Red Cross -- Opportunities for nurses to volunteer in times of disaster. For more information, call 382-3790.

AseraCare Hospice of Nebraska -- We have a need for compassionate, open-minded and reliable volunteers in the Grand Island area to provide companionship and supportive care to both hospice patients and their families. If you can give a minimum of one hour per week and are interested in a free, initial training, then call the volunteer coordinator at 1-888-225-2115.

Crisis Center -- Need volunteers to work with us on fundraisers and to staff our informational and children's activity booths. Call LaDonna or Jean at 382-8250.

EF Foundation for Foreign Study/Share Your America -- Learn about other cultures, make friends around the world, and create memories that last a lifetime. Devote your spare time and become a local coordinator with EF Foundation for Foreign Study, a nonprofit organization. Mentor international high school exchange students, recruit host families, and work with local high schools. Coordinators are eligible for exciting travel opportunities, are trained, and are reimbursed for expenses. For more information, visit www.effoundation.org or contact Darcy Babcock at 1-888-447-4273.

Hope Harbor -- Would like assistance with planning and organizing fundraisers, publicity and community awareness events. Design informational brochures and flyers for raising awareness and community outreach. Help in staffing booths at various awareness events. Call 385-5190.

St. Francis Medical Center -- The Lifeline program needs individuals to install units in subscribers' homes. Can be easily trained to hook up unit to the telephone and instruct the subscriber. Also need individuals to test Lifeline units once per month. Call 398-5564.

Third City Community Clinic -- Need volunteer nurses to help in clinic. Contact Susan Aguilar at 398-5312.

Wedgewood Care Center -- Need year-round assistance with programs and help meeting individualized needs? Call Dee Church at 382-5440.

FOOD SERVICE

Central Nebraska Community Services -- Could use help sorting and boxing commodities. Contact Jayne Waite at 385-5500 for specific dates and times.

YWCA -- Need help serving breakfast from 7:30 to 9 a.m., lunch 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

The following list of Grand Island area nonprofit programs and agencies, provided by Heartland United Way, could use volunteer help.

If your organization or agency utilizes and needs the help of volunteers, contact Jen Thompson at Heartland United Way, 382-2675 or jen@heartlanduway.com.

Volunteer opportunities are printed in two segments and alternate in Silver Salute. The first part lists opportunities working with adults, working with youth, community/professional opportunities and food service. The second part, which appears below, lists opportunities in gardening/maintenance/construction, instruction/education/mentoring, office/clerical, recreational/special projects and transportation.

GARDENING/MAINTENANCE/CONSTRUCTION

Grand Island Parks and Recreation < People who enjoy working with plants are encouraged to volunteer at the city greenhouse located at 1707 W. Oklahoma. Horticulturist Brad Foster welcomes assistance throughout the year for a variety of duties including transplanting, planting seeds and flower beds. Anyone wanting to volunteer should contact Brad at 385-5303.

Grand Island Veterans Home < In spring and fall, assistance with personal gardens sought. Flexible schedules, full training and orientation is provided to all volunteers. Contact Joanne Badura at 385-6252, ext. 452.

Habitat For Humanity < Construction of homes built in partnership with low-income families. Call for current needs and schedules. Contact Dana at 385-55l0.

Hope Harbor < Shelter worker, sort and organize donations, painting, yard projects, small maintenance projects, organize and supervise deep cleaning projects, pick up donations, stock and rearrange shelter rooms as needed. Donation assistant needed to help sort and organize donations at the shelter. Call 382-5190.

Park Place Nursing Home < In spring and fall, assistance with garden projects. Flexible scheduling for volunteers. Contact Becky Freelend 382-2635.

Senior Companion Volunteer Program < Volunteers needed for handyman services in cleaning homes and mowing lawns. Call Norma at 385-5308.

YWCA < Light maintenance help needed. Call 384-9922.

INSTRUCTION/EDUCATION/MENTORING

Adult Basic Education < There is a great need for volunteers to work one-on-one with GED students in either math or English. ESL students also need volunteers to teach basic English skills < i.e., the alphabet, numbers, etc. For more information, call (308) 398-7433 or the ABE classroom at (308) 398-7432.

American Red Cross < Opportunities for volunteers to teach Scrubby Bear, Whales Tales, CPR and first aid. Call 382-3790 for more information.

Big Brothers Big Sisters < Mentoring opportunities available for individuals, families or couples. Contact BBBS at 384-3456 for more information.

Head Start Child and Family Development Program < Teachers need assistance in the classroom doing various activities with children in six classrooms from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. For more information, call Kandi at 385-5115 or 385-5058. Located at 310 N. Piper.

Literacy Council of Grand Island < One-on-one tutoring year round, will train. Office hours 9-11:30 a.m. and 1-5 p.m. Monday-Thursday, 9-11:30 a.m. Friday. Call 385-5515 for more information.

TeamMates < September thru May, mentors wanted, one hour per week with a student at school. Contact Nancy at 381-7767.

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension 4-H Program < If you have an interest in working with youth and making a difference in their lives, consider volunteering with the Hall County 4-H program. Opportunities to teach or assist with educational programs during Kids College summer program and throughout the year. Flexible times and hours available. For more information, contact D¹Ette at 385-5088.

Senior Companion Volunteer Program < Foster grandparents and RSVP volunteer program. For more information, call Marilyn at 385-5323.

YWCA < Career Closet needs volunteers to help process donations and organize the closet. Call 384-9922.

OFFICE/CLERICAL

American Red Cross < Volunteers needed to answer phones and schedule blood appointments. For more information, call 382-3790.

Child Care Solutions < Volunteer help needed for sending out mailings. Contact Roxanne Vipond at 385-5182.

Grand Island Veterans Home < Decorating for seasons, newsletter assistance, office assistance and bulletin boards. Flexible schedules; full training and orientation is provided. Contact Joanne Badura at 385-6252, ext. 452.

Hope Harbor < Office volunteers to assist with clerical duties and reception (afternoons). Volunteer coordinator to assist with recruiting and organizing volunteers for shelter work, donation pickup and disbursement; coordinate volunteers for work projects; compile weekly ³items needed² list to distribute to churches and other ongoing supporters. Call 385-5190.

Park Place Nursing Home < Newsletter assistance, creating posters, computer/calendar assistance, volunteer orientation, recruitment, scheduling, delivering mail, writing letters, errands, seasonal/holiday decorations. Flexible schedules available. Training and supervision provided. Contact Becky Freelend at 382-2635.

TeamMates < Filing, photocopying and other clerical duties for 2-4 hours a week. Contact Nancy at 381-7767.

Third City Community Clinic < Need office help and volunteer help for clinic. Contact Susan Aguilar at 398-5312.

RECREATIONAL/SPECIAL PROJECTS

Grand Island Veterans Home < Welcomes help with concerts, dances, veterans parade, parties, barbecues, fishing escort, one-on-one activities, visits, writing letters, walks, etc. Flexible schedules; full training and orientation is provided to all volunteers. Contact Joanne Badura at 385-6252, ext. 452.

Heartland CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) < Could use help with fundraising, organizing events, publicity, selling tickets and products, Child Abuse Prevention Month distribution of ribbons in April, Children¹s Day activities in November. Contact Diann Muhlbach at 385-5125.

Hope Harbor < Serve on planning committee to help plan and organize fundraising events. July thru August, help with ³Stuff the Bus² donations of school supplies to be distributed to homeless children. Call 385-5190.

Park Place Nursing Home < Assist with monthly birthday parties, annual hayrack ride, Fourth of July events, picnics, lunch brunch, community outings, shopping, men¹s programming, family programming, crafts, gardening and one-on-one activities; share hobbies, pets or other interests. Flexible scheduling for volunteers. Contact Becky Freeland at 382-2635.

Project Hunger < Volunteer help sought in Food Bucks operation, food basket deliveries, office work and special events, which include the Easter Basket Extravaganza and the Harvest Festival. Call 385-1590 for more information or visit the Web site at www.projecthunger.org.

TRANSPORTATION

Grand Island Veterans Home < Assist recreation aides with shopping and meal outings. Flexible schedules; full training and orientation is provided to all volunteers. Contact Joanne Badura at 385-6252, ext. 452.

Habitat for Humanity < Need volunteers who are available weekends or weekdays to pick up aluminum cans from individuals, businesses and schools. Contact Dana at 385-5510.

Senior Companion Volunteer Program < Seeking volunteers to deliver Meals on Wheels Monday through Friday, to homebound adults. Contact Lois Stienike at 385-5308.