Agency: United Way of Douglas County

Contact: Kelsey Cherland, uw.int.su2011@gmail.com

The United Way of Douglas County is seeking volunteers to help them reach out to small businesses in the community this summer. Volunteers will help in contacting small businesses and sharing information about United Way and the new Community Impact Plan through short, informational meetings. The purpose of these meetings is not to “ask” for money, but to create positive relationships between United Way and local businesses. Ideally, volunteers will work in pairs, so if you have a partner in mind, contact the United Way together for more information. There will be a brief training session for volunteers. Please contact Kelsey Cherland at uw.int.su2011@gmail.com for more details.

Immediate needs

• Health Care Access Clinic is looking for volunteers to help with various tasks that will support a local clinic that provides health care services to the uninsured residents of Douglas County with limited means. Volunteers are needed to help with things such as general maintenance, landscaping, cleaning and administrative projects throughout the year. If you are interested in supporting Health Care Access Clinic in any way, please contact Kim Johnson at 785-841-5760.

• Ecumenical Christian Ministries on Kansas University’s campus seeks interested citizens to participate in their “alternative” trips during KU breaks in semesters (spring break, winter break, etc.). Projects are coordinated by students and take volunteers to various locations throughout the United States and sometimes beyond. Priority is given to students and other young adults, but all are welcome to apply for an opportunity to experience a different culture and provide service to others throughout the nation. Anyone interested in finding out more details about these trips and how they can serve others can contact Ariday Guerrero at 785-843-4933 or ecmku@ku.edu.

• Dogtoberfest planners are seeking volunteers to assist with the preparation of this year’s event, to be held in October. Dogtoberfest is a dog festival started last year that raises money and awareness for the Lawrence Humane Society and Lawrence Community Shelter. Volunteers are needed for the publicity committee and to serve as a volunteer coordinator. Numerous tasks are involved with either committee or position, and the level of commitment could be flexible if enough volunteers show interest in helping pull this event together. For more details about what specific tasks are needed, please contact Jen Frazier at 785-840-9839.