Agency: RSVP

Contact: 312-1288

Volunteers 55 and older are needed throughout Douglas County this holiday season to help children shop and wrap gifts for their family members, make meal baskets for those in need, serve meals to the homeless, help children with holiday arts and crafts activities, and more.

Contact Maggie with RSVP of Douglas County at 312-1288 or rsvpvolunteer@gmail.com.

Immediate volunteer needs

¢ Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates has announced upcoming training classes for new volunteers.

CASA volunteers are trained to advocate for children who have been abused or neglected and are under protection of the juvenile court. They are appointed by the judge to meet regularly with the child, review records and talk to everyone involved in the child’s case. They monitor the situation so the child remains safe until a permanent resolution is reached and make recommendations to the judge to promote the child’s best interests.

Training for new volunteers will begin Wednesday, Jan. 23, and will end Monday, Feb. 4. The deadline to apply for training is Friday, Dec. 7.

For a detailed training schedule, contact the CASA office at 832-5172 or e-mail casa@douglas-county.com.

¢ Volunteers are needed to provide free tax assistance to residents of Douglas and Franklin counties during tax season. Community volunteers with experience in preparing their own taxes can be trained for the AARP program. Computer skills are helpful but not required as volunteers assist with general services including receptionist work and other support.

For more information, contact Jack Connelly at 865-3985 or connjac@aol.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 info@rhvc.org. Opportunities are also online at www.rhvc.org.