Turner House looking for volunteers

Volunteer opportunity, courtesy of the United Way of Wyandotte County: 

Turner House is looking for volunteers to provide child care for children whose mothers are attending a healthy eating class. Classes are from 5:30-7:30pm on Wednesdays from June 18 through July 25th.

If you can help, contact Janet Burton at 913-342-2552 ext. 104.

Opportunities for individuals or groups to make a difference

By CATHI HAHNER
Director of Volunteer Services, United Way of Wyandotte County

Are you looking for something interesting to do? Do you have a few free hours of time? 

Are you ready to make difference in the community? Volunteering might be just the answer.

There are number of agencies and projects eager for enthusiastic volunteers.

• Communities in Schools is hosting Reality U, a financial literacy and dropout prevention program, at various high schools in Wyandotte County.  Volunteers are needed for sessions at Washington High School on March 5th and 6th, Wyandotte High School on April 10th, FL Schlagle High School on May 1st, and JC Harmon High School on May 8th and 9th. Contact Ashley Ferguson at (913-636-1761) or Ashley.ferguson@cismidamerica.org.  

• For those who like to get their hands dirty, Cultivate Kansas City hosts “Work on a Farm” on the 2nd & 4th Saturdays of every month. This event is held at the Gibbs Road Farm from 9 a.m. to noon. Individuals and groups of all experience levels are welcome! Come on out and get your hands dirty while you learn the fundamentals of urban farming. Sign-up is easy with Sign Up Genius form. If you have questions, please contact Ami at ami@cultivatekc.org or (913) 944-5639.

• Hillcrest Transitional Housing has a major need for volunteers to help with deep cleaning and painting apartments for new residents.  The Hillcrest primary program focus is moving families and youth from homelessness to self-sufficiency within 90 days and provides rent and utility free housing to residents while in the program. Contact Bianca Ward (913) -515-6531 or bwardvista@gmail.com

• Foster Grandparent Office, Catholic Charities of NE Kansas, is looking for volunteers to help several days per month with some administrative type functions including copying and mailing newsletters as well as filing and other duties.  Contact Jill Rademacher at (913) 906-8920 or rademacher@catholiccharitiesks.org

• For more information on how you can GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER please contact Cathi Hahner, Director of Volunteer Services, at (913) 371-3674 or chahner@unitedway-wyco.org. You may also find a list of opportunities by checking out our website at www.volunteerkc.org. 

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY: Volunteers sought for Stems Fundraising "Tear-Down"

By NICK SLOAN, nick@kansascitykansan.com

For high school, college students or anyone else looking for volunteer opportunities, the Overland Park Arboretum Foundation and Deanna Rose Children's Farmstead Foundation has an opportunity for you.

The Stems Fundraising Event will be held Saturday, June 23 at the Overland Park Arboretum. Volunteers are being sought for the clean-up or "tear down" portion of the event the morning after on June 24.

Volunteers are asked to meet at the Overland Park Arboretum at 8909 W. 179th St. in Overland Park, Kan. on Sunday morning between 8:30 a.m. and 9 a.m.

For about four hours, volunteers will clean-up the area, taking down 40 tailgate style tents and picking up tables and chairs in the area. A pizza lunch will be available for anyone who volunteers.

The Stem's Fundraiser is a garden party that raises money for the Overland Park Arboretum Foundation and the Deanna Children's Farmstead Foundation.

For more information on volunteering, you can contact Laura Sirridge@artsandrecop.org. Or, you can contact the Sunflower House's Mitch Stevenson at msteve@kc.surewest.net or (913) 645-6576.

If you want more information on the Stems Fundraising Event, click here.

GUEST COLUMN: Volunteers have options

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

I will share information today about three interesting and very different kinds of volunteer options available to you.

These projects are all happening on April 27, so you have plenty of time to plan.  Hopefully one will be just right for you.

This first activity should appeal to the art lover.

Quixotic, one of Kansas City’s most cutting-edge performing arts groups, is partnering with the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art for an unforgettable public art event the evening of Saturday, April 27.

The performance takes place outdoors on the south facade of the museum and includes video projections on the building, music, dance, light and aerial acrobatics.

Volunteers are needed to serve as greeters and help guests find the appropriate seating area. Two shifts are available.

Volunteers must be at least 21. Volunteers will need to be able to stand for most of their shift.

Opportunities for individuals or groups to make a difference

By DIANE HENTGES, United Way of Wyandotte County

Are you looking for something interesting to do? Do you have a few free hours of time?  Are you ready to make a difference in the community?

Volunteering might be just the answer. There are number of agencies and projects eager for enthusiastic volunteers.

Be prepared to help your family and your community the next time a disaster strikes the area. CERT (Community Emergency Response Team) classes will start on March 7. The classes are free but are limited to 25 people.  For more information on this exciting volunteer opportunity, contact Mike at mbaughman@wycokck.org.

Maybe you like to work with yours hands and you enjoy physical labor? Camp Naish, a facility of the Boys Scouts of America and Heart of America Council, needs to be spruced up before the summer programs starts. Some of the jobs involve general cleaning and grounds work, some jobs require the use of hammers and nails or a paint brush. These are great tasks for willing volunteers. If you or a small group is interested in helping, please contact Richard at 913-422-1035 or at Richard.ledgerwood@scouting.org.

Bethel Neighborhood Center wants to recruit a church, organization, business or individual willing to sponsor an Egg Hunt for 52 children and 25 senior adults. You can be an involved sponsor if you like and volunteer at the actual event. Please contact Rakmi at 913-371-8218 for more sponsorship information.

Associated Youth Services wants to recruit volunteers to be Life Skills Instructors. These volunteers share everyday life (or career) wisdom with youth! As an individual or as part of a corporate team, volunteers teach AYS youth important lessons in money management, job seeking, self-esteem building, time management, goal-setting... the list goes on! Contact Teri at 913-831-2820 or go to www.aysusa.org and apply on-line.

For more information on how you can GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER please contact me at 913-371-3674 or at dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

You can find volunteer opportunities by checking out our website, www.unitedway-wyco.org and click on Volunteer

COMMENTARY: Make a difference as a LIFE coach

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

Teenagers face a number of challenges that can side track them. Some of the side tracks lead to dropping out of school, making bad choices, testing limits --- some may even result in jail time.

In our country, over one million ninth graders will not graduate with their class. Every day, 7,000 students in the United States drop out of school. These are sobering statistics for a nation that values education.

The reality for a drop-out is bleak. That student can find it harder to find a job and if they do find a job, their earning capacity is diminished. Self-esteem is low and a feeling of hopelessness can prevail.

Mentoring can “make a difference.”  Research shows that mentored youth are 52 percent less likely to skip school, 46 percent less likely to begin using illegal drugs, 37 percent less likely to skip a class, 33 percent less likely to hit someone and 27 percent less likely to begin using alcohol.

In addition, research has shown that 84 percent of youth who are mentored have better self-esteem, 62 percent are more aware of educational opportunities and 57 percent have improved family relationships.

Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Kansas City are recruiting adult mentors to serve as a “LIFE Coach” for an area teen. A LIFE Coach mentor needs to be able to commit to meet for one hour twice a month with their mentor. The LIFE Coach will help the student with homework, tutor in needed subjects, help with life skills, explore career options, work on life plan development and discuss what to do after high school.

Those interested in being a LIFE Coach mentor can go to www.helpKCkids.org and apply on line. All applicants are subject to a background check. Boys & Girls Clubs will provide training to mentors.

Make a difference and be a LIFE Coach mentor.

For more information on how you can GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER, please contact me at 913-371-3674 or at dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

You can find volunteer opportunities by checking out our website, www.unitedway-wyco.org and click on Volunteer.

Stay warm - volunteer!

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

These cold January temperatures make it hard to get warm and stay warm. I have a low cost suggestion to warm you right up - VOLUNTEER.

When you volunteer you get that warm fuzzy feeling all over. The delight in a child’s eye that you just mentored or the sincere smile of the food pantry client warms our hearts.

What better way to endure these cold temperatures?

Let me share with you a few of ways you can volunteer and get that warm fuzzy feeling and help a local non-profit fulfill their mission to serve our community.

KVC (KVC Hospitals Inc.) wants to recruit individuals or a group to help with a project on Feb. 2 or Feb 3. Volunteers are needed to help make life-sized board games for children to play. What a neat way for children to play a board game! The volunteers will have fun cutting poster board and gluing pictures and words on game pieces.

This is a great opportunity for a youth group or a work group looking for a way to serve. Minimum age of the volunteer needed is 14. Please contact Karen at kduarte@kvc.org or at 913-890-7426.

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is in desperate need of volunteers to deliver commodities to low-income senior housing in KCK and Leavenworth.  This happens once a month and delivery schedules can be very flexible.  To volunteer or to find out more information, contact Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org. This opportunity takes a small commitment of your time but means so much to those receiving the commodities.

Literacy KC wants to recruit volunteer tutors to meet one on one with adult students twice a week for 90 minutes each time. Schedules can be set at the volunteer’s convenience. These volunteer tutors will meet at the Keeler Women’s Center in KCK. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, go to www.literacykc.org or call 913-906-8990.

You can also attend one of two information meetings at Keeler: Feb. 7, 10-11 a.m. or Feb. 20 1:30- 2:30 p.m. Keller is located at 2220 Central Ave., Kansas City, Kan. The volunteers reward will be the warm self-assured smile of an adult who can read.

Catholic Charities of Northeast Kansas is recruiting volunteers for a number of volunteer positions. Volunteers are needed to mentor adult refugees as they adjust to live in Kansas City. Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve the evening meal at Shalom House, a shelter for homeless men.

In addition, volunteers are needed to work in the food pantries sponsored by Catholic Charities. For more information of how you can volunteer, contact Mary Kay at 913-433-2080 or at mdrees@catholiccharitiesks.org.

The options are many. The choice is yours. For more information on how you can GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER please contact me at 913-371-3674 or at dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

You can find volunteer opportunities by checking out our website, www.unitedway-wyco.org and click on Volunteer.

Volunteer with a food pantry

By DIANE HENTGES, United Way of Wyandotte County

The weather is cold. Unemployment is high. Wages are low. Costs keep rising. This is a pretty gloomy situation. It is these conditions that challenge our local food pantries.

These pantries serve those who are affected by these gloomy conditions.  These pantries provide groceries to a family so they can eat and pay the rent. The pantries rely heavily on the good will and hard work of volunteers.

Volunteers can help local pantries in a number of ways. They can help in the office to take care of the phone, do paperwork, or help in the actual pantry.

They can sort donated food items and keep the shelves stocked. A volunteer might help a client through the maze of shelves to make the right selections for their family size.

Another way volunteers can help is to organize a food drive or collect personal care items for a pantry. Remember to keep food donations simple and include easy-to-prepare items.

COLUMN: Start the New Year by volunteering

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center /RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

The gifts have been opened.

We have made our post-Christmas trip to the mall to exchange that sweater and shop the sales for those great bargains. Some might be enjoying a few extra days off from work or school. All of us are looking to begin a new year.

As we plan for the New Year, let’s not forget our New Years resolutions.

This year’s list of resolutions should not be long and definitely not impossible to keep. Let’s give this year’s resolutions some real thought.

My suggestion is that each of us includes volunteering high on that list of resolutions. Trust me - it will be an easy one to keep throughout the year.

COLUMN: Volunteers are a gift

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

For local non-profits, governmental agencies, schools and churches - volunteers are a cherished gift.

It is because of the commitment and dedication of volunteers that organizations are able to fulfill their missions.  Volunteers serve as board members, helping to define policies, set direction and secure funding.

Some volunteers donate their professional expertise as an attorney, a physician, nurse, teacher, accountant, artist, or as a software or web designer - to name a few.

Volunteers are ready to respond to local disasters whenever the unexpected happens. Mentors and tutors, scout leaders, little league coaches are all volunteers - helping to guide and direct our future generations.

Community gardens flourish because of caring volunteers with a green thumb. Local history is preserved and shared through the hard work of volunteers. Libraries and the arts benefit from interested volunteers who devote time and energy so that we all may enjoy.

The homeless, the hungry and the dying are all served by volunteers who take time to care. These volunteers listen, they encourage, they comfort and they serve. They serve with compassion.

The Gift of volunteering in Kansas ranks our state as number seven out of 50. That is pretty darn good.

That means that 790,170 volunteers serve statewide, giving 90.9 million hours of service valued at $1.9 billion. That is a GIFT!

Volunteers are a Gift that keeps giving all year long.

For more information on how you can be a gift and VOLUNTEER, please contact me at 913-371-3674 or at dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

There's still time to volunteer for the holidays

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

There are still agencies needing help for the holidays.

For a complete list of needs that cover both volunteer times, family adoptions and donations, go to our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org.

Both Catholic Charities and the Salvation Army Harbor Lights need help with their Christmas distributions.

Catholic Charities will host a Christmas store for registered clients. Volunteers are needed Dec. 19, 20, and 21 to help in the morning (9 a.m.-noon) or the afternoons (1-4 p.m.).

If you are interested in helping, please contact Mary Kay at (913) 433-2080 or at mdrees@catholiccharitiesks.org. Salvation Army Harbor Lights will need volunteers on Dec. 18, 19, and 20 to help registered families collect their gifts.

Downtown Holiday Lighting Festival seeking volunteers

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP  at the United Way of Wyandotte County.

A great opportunity awaits those who can’t wait for the holiday season.

On Friday Nov. 30, at City Hall Plaza, the Downtown Holiday Lighting Festival will take place. This is a great event that brings the community together.

There will be entertainment, food, decorated trees from the neighborhood associations, a visit with Santa, goodie-bags for the first 1000 children, free movies, popcorn, cotton candy and crafts for the children.

Activities will also take place at City Hall Plaza.

The event is planned to start at 4 p.m. and end at 7 p.m. with the lighting of the mayor’s tree.

In order for this event to be successful we need volunteers. The first need for volunteers is on Thursday afternoon, Nov. 29 at 1 p.m. We need help to bag popcorn for the movie goers. On Friday, volunteers act as greeters and direct visitors to various activities.

Other volunteers will see that those guest watching movies have popcorn. Still, others will help give cotton candy to the children. Some volunteers will help guide the line of children and families waiting to see Mr. and Mrs. Clause.

For those volunteers who like to ham-it-up, there are opportunities for you to dress in costume and visit with the guests. There is also a need for volunteers to help guide the various costumed characters and entertainers. These are just a few of the many volunteer opportunities available.

To volunteer or to find out more information please contact Diane at 913-371-3674 or a dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

Help non-profits prepare for the holidays

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

Now that Halloween has come and gone, activities are being focused for Thanksgiving and Christmas. If you would like to help with holiday activities, I can share a few with you.

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is looking to recruit volunteers with muscle to help move boxes and totes full of clothes from storage to a truck and then to the Christmas Store. It is time to get ready for the holidays.

The date volunteers are needed is Monday, Nov. 12. The moving will start at 1 p.m. If interested, please contact Amber at (913) 281-3388 or amber@cross-lines.org.

Center for Hope plans to prepare and serve Thanksgiving dinner on Thanksgiving Day. They need volunteers to help with this process. The hours are 8 a.m. - 2 p.m. If you would like to help, please contact Marsha at (913) 233-2511.

Pleasant Green Baptist Church is recruiting volunteers to help prepare Thanksgiving meals on Nov. 19, 20, and 21st from 6:30 p.m. - 8 p.m. at the church. Volunteers are also needed to help on Thanksgiving Day with last minute preparations, serving, and clean-up. Volunteer drivers are needed to help deliver the meals.

Please contact Bernice at (913) 371-0231 if you would like to volunteer.

In the coming weeks, I will share more holiday related volunteer opportunities. You can also check out our Web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org for ways you can GIVE, ADVOCATE & VOLUNTEER.

Volunteering can be fun and hard work

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

Volunteer opportunities are never ending.

Just when I think I have all the opportunities posted and neatly categorized, more arrive on my desk.

It is because of wonderful readers like you who become hard working volunteers that the agencies are able to say “Mission Accomplished”!

Today I am listing a few more for you to review.

If you want to get in to the spirit of Halloween, volunteer at the National Agricultural Hall of Fame on Oct. 27. They are hosting Trick or Treat and BooOOOoo Barn. Volunteers are needed for a variety of jobs that day. This is a great opportunity for adults or teens who need some service hours.

Volunteers will give out candy in the Trick or Treat area, help with the crown flow at the BooOOOoo Barn, assist with art and crafts, help with milking demonstrations and help with the hayride.

They do need a tractor driver for the hayride. The time for the event is 1-4 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 27. Costumes are encouraged but not required. For more information contact Cathi at (913) 721-1075 or at chahner@afhalloffame.com.

I know we have not even celebrated Halloween, but there are people that are planning for tax season. During tax season, Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites are set up throughout the metro area. These sites need volunteers.  The VITA locations allow low income individuals and families to file their taxes for free.

Volunteers serve as tax preparers, greeters and receptionists. You do not need and tax experiences. However, you should be comfortable using a computer. Training will be provided; multiple opportunities will be available beginning in December.

Flexible day, evening and weekend hours are available. You can sign-up on line at www.kccash.org. At the site, click on "Volunteer."

Young people need caring volunteers

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

We know that our youth are the future.

It is so important that they have good strong role models. You can help to be that strong and caring role model. There are multiple opportunities with great programs within our community.

Here are some opportunities to help our local youth.  

• Associated Youth Services is a community based program that helps at risk youth. They recruit caring and interested adults who are willing to help tutor young men in various school subjects. Math always seems to need just a little extra work. If you are interested in helping to tutor a young man with his homework, contact Teri at 913-831-2820 or at tkriege@aysusa.org.

• The 4-H, a program of the Wyandotte County Extension Office, relies heavily on caring and committed adult volunteers. Do you have craft or skill you would like to pass on to eager learner? Can you sew, make a birdhouse, paint a picture or can take a photograph? These are skills that a young person is waiting to learn.  If you would like more information on how you can volunteer, contact Peggy at 913-299-9300 or at pboyd@ksu.edu.

• Young Women on the Move offers teen girls at Argentine, Central and Rosedale Middle Schools and J.C. Harmon, Wyandotte and F.L. Schlagle High Schools programs to help them grow and mature into responsible empowered young women. Mentors are being recruited to work one-on-one or on-line with teens. If you have the time and want to help empower a teen, please contact Wendy at 816-729-6122 or at Wendy hawkins68@gmail.com.

These are just a few many opportunities to mentor and tutor and touch the life of  a young person in a positive way.

For more information on how you can GIVE, ADVOCATE, and VOLUNTEER, please contact me at 913-371-3674 or at dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

You can find volunteer opportunities by checking out our website, www.unitedway-wyco.org and click on Volunteer.

If you have a needle, you can volunteer

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

Some of us have a special talent or skill that we can share as a volunteer.

Sewing, knitting and crocheting are skills that volunteers can share. There are a number of interesting opportunities where you might use your talents.

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is recruiting individuals who sew to help make sleeping bags for the homeless. Maybe you would like to knit or crochet caps and scarfs for their Christmas store. Contact Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.

Maybe your sewing group could make comfort items for Cancer Action patients - items like bed pads, afghans, gowns, booties, turbans, totes, mastectomy kits, pillows and hospital bed sheets. Cancer Action can train groups on any of these projects. Contact Leslie at 913-642-8885 or at leslieb@canceractionkc.org.

Shepherd’s Center of Kansas City, Kan., has a Prayer Shawl Ministry that gives warm and embracing shawls to hospitals and nursing homes so patients and families experience the love and prayers of those who made the shawls.

Bored? Consider volunteering in Wyandotte County

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

Are you bored?

Do you feel isolated? Are you tired of doing the same old same old? Sounds like you need a change. You need the opportunity to get out and do something different.

Think about volunteering.

It gets you out of your rut, introduces you to new people and allows you make a difference in your community.

There are wonderful experiences just waiting for you. Read on and learn about just a few of the many volunteer opportunities available in our area.

Teach, knit, prepare....volunteer

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center and RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

I am constantly amazed at the unique and interesting volunteer opportunities that are available to those willing to give of themselves.

Let me share a few really unusual opportunities with you. I bet there is one that will grab your interest.

Rosedale Congregational Church not only cares for the spiritual well-being of members, but hosts a program that focus on the well-being of the body.

The Rosedale Healthy Kids Initiative (HKI) is a community effort to reduce childhood obesity in the Rosedale neighborhood of Kansas City by promoting healthy, active lifestyles for all residents.

The program is offered on Wednesday afternoons from 3-4 p.m. Volunteers are key to the success of this program.

Volunteers will serve as cooking teachers, exercise teachers, craft teachers, small group leaders and snack chef. Someone is also needed to make sure all participants sign-in and are picked-up by the appropriate caregiver.

Volunteer opportunities can be interesting

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

There are always interesting opportunities for volunteers in our community.

You can elect to do something on a regular basis like volunteer every week at one of the local hospitals. They have a number of interesting volunteer positions.

Volunteers work the information desk, deliver mail and flowers, wheel patients to procedures and help at the nurses’ station, to name just a few of the many volunteer opportunities.

If you are interested in volunteering at the University of Kansas Hospital, go to www.kumed.com/volunteer or call 913-588-6560. If you would like to volunteer at Providence Medical Center, check out their web site at www.providence-health.org and click on “about us” or call 913-596-4872.

How about a volunteer truck for a unique volunteer need? St Paul’s Food Pantry needs a volunteer flatbed or pick-up with a driver. They need to schedule regular pick-ups at Harvesters. Food is on pallets.

A community-wide thank you

By DIANE HENTGES, Director of the Volunteer Center/RSVP at the United Way of Wyandotte County

We had a very successful Back to School Fair on August 4 at the Kansas City Kansas Community College.

Approximately 4,200 people came to the BTSF.  There are a lot of thank you’s that need to be extended.

The planning committee needs a big round of applause.