Agency: Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center

Address: 200 Maine, Suite A

Contact: Leslie Sharp 842-2624

A group of Lawrence parents of children with special needs is forming a support group with the assistance of Bert Nash Community Mental Health Center. Volunteers are needed to provide child care for two hours in a playroom setting while parents participate in the support group. The children range in age from infant to 14. The support group meets from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the first and third Thursdays of every month at Lawrence Free Methodist Church, 3001 Lawrence Ave. The child-care room will be across the hall from the support group so that parents will be on hand if needed.

Immediate volunteer needs

The Red Cross will have a blood drive from noon to 6 p.m. April 21 at First Christian Church, 221 W. 10th St. The Red Cross needs volunteers to help set up and tear down the blood drive. Setup volunteers will unload equipment at 10:30 a.m. for about 30 minutes. Cleanup volunteers are needed at 6:15 p.m. for 45 minutes. Escort volunteers also are needed to accompany donors to the hospitality area after giving blood. Escort volunteers can work as little as one hour or for the duration of the blood drive. For more information, contact Connie Edwards at 841-1020 or Jane Blocher at 843-3550.

• Headquarters Counseling Center needs volunteers to help with a bicycle ride April 30. The “Life Support Rally” raises funds for free counseling and information services for children and adults. To volunteer, contact Melody Carter at melodysarah@yahoo.com. For more information go to www.lifesupportrally.org.
• The Roger Hill Volunteer Center and Lawrence Public Library are hosting a free Community Volunteer Fair from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. April 19 at the library, 707 Vt. Volunteer coordinators from dozens of local nonprofit agencies will be on hand to speak about their programs’ needs and how to get involved. Adults and youths interested in volunteering in the community will find this to be a great introduction to opportunities. For more information, contact the Roger Hill Volunteer Center, 865-5030.
• Lawrence Memorial Hospital has volunteer positions available in several areas. The hospital needs volunteers in the gift shop to assist shoppers and operate the cash register. Shifts are from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hospital escorts are needed from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays and from 8 a.m. to noon Thursdays to assist patients and visitors as they are coming into the hospital, as well as to run errands throughout the hospital. Volunteers also are needed at LMH South at 23rd Street and Kasold Drive in the GI Lab from 8:30 a.m. to noon or from noon to 3:30 p.m. Wednesdays. LMH South Reception volunteers are needed from 8 a.m. to noon Thursdays.
• The Lawrence Interdenominational Nutrition Kitchen needs Saturday volunteers. Many of the groups that fill Saturdays during the school year are student groups that do not meet during the summer months. Any groups that are available to serve on Saturdays during June, July or August should contact Deb Engstrom at 832-2876 or deb5550@juno.com.

— For more volunteer opportunities, contact the Roger Hill Volunteer Center, a service of the United Way of Douglas County, 2518 Ridge Court, Room 200, at 865-5030 or rhvc@ixks.com. Opportunities also are online at www.rhvc.org.