Agency: First Step House

Address: 345 Fla.

Contact: Debbie Withrow, 843-9262

First Step House seeks volunteer child-care providers. First Step House is a reintegration substance abuse treatment center that provides therapy and support to women and their children. The center empowers women to live an independent, recovery-oriented lifestyle. Volunteers are needed from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Thursday each week to care for children while their mothers participate in counseling groups. Additional volunteer opportunities are available for general office assistance and GED tutoring in math and reading. Some training will be provided.

Immediate volunteer needs

¢ Volunteers are needed for the second annual Lake Challenge, Aug. 20, hosted by the Lawrence Chamber of Commerce at the Clinton Lake Marina. Festivities will begin at 9 a.m. There will be live music at the marina, ticketed activities for children and a parade of participating cardboard boats. The boat races will begin at 11:15 a.m. and continue for about two hours, with an awards ceremony to follow. Volunteers are needed to assist in each of the following activities or events: registration tables, boat holders, snow cone machines and other children’s activities. The event will benefit the Chamber of Commerce and the Leadership Lawrence program. For more information, contact Scott McMichael at 830-1701.

¢ The Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocate program is looking for volunteers to participate in a summer training session beginning Sept. 6. Volunteers advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the court. Volunteers will develop a relationship with a child in need of care, gather information, make recommendations to the court, and monitor the situation until the child finds a safe, permanent home. Volunteers must be at least 21 years old and willing to commit to a case for a minimum of one year. Volunteers will undergo a background check. For more information or to volunteer, contact Executive Director Kerry Gaines at 832-5172 or e-mail casa@douglas-county.com or go online at www.orgsites.com/ks/douglascountycasa.

¢ Meals on Wheels seeks volunteers to fill the positions of meal room supervisor and regular and substitute drivers. Meal room supervisor opportunities are available from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday at Lawrence Memorial Hospital. The supervisor assists drivers picking up meals by making sure that the meals are in order and the proper number of beverages are sent with each driver. Substitute and regular drivers are needed to deliver meals for one hour or more each week from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Drivers are welcome to bring their children on their meal route. Training is provided.

¢ Lawrence Memorial Hospital is seeking volunteers to fill several positions. Volunteers must be willing to make a commitment of three to six months for three to four hours per week of volunteer service. Volunteers are needed at the main LMH and LMH South sites to assist staff in transporting patients by wheelchair, preparing rooms, delivering supplies and running errands within the hospital, greeting visitors, and cashiering in the gift shop. The Volunteer Office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. To discuss these or other volunteer opportunities, contact the Volunteer Office at 840-3141 or e-mail Allyson.Leland@LMH.org.