Agencies: Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Theatre Lawrence and the Lawrence Arts Center

Lawrence Memorial Hospital, Theatre Lawrence and the Lawrence Arts Center will all be holding information events for potential volunteers this week. If you’re interested in learning how to get involved with your local hospital as a volunteer, attend LMH’s “Volunteer Information Tea” at 4 p.m. Tuesday in the LMH Conference Room A, 325 Maine. If you’re looking to get involved with the world of theater as a volunteer, attend Theatre Lawrence’s “Volunteer Open House” at 6 p.m. Thursday at 1501 N.H. Also Thursday, there is an open house and sign-up for performing arts volunteers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Lawrence Arts Center, 940 N.H. These local organizations are in need of several volunteers for a variety of tasks ­– find out more this week.

Immediate needs

The Recovery and Hope Network, or RAHN, is seeking volunteers to help run its funnel cake booth at the Renaissance Festival near Bonner Springs. RAHN is the only funnel cake provider at the festival and proceeds go to support programs for people living with and recovering from severe mental illness in Douglas County. Several volunteers are needed for shifts every Saturday and Sunday from Sept. 1 through Oct. 14. Rides are available from Lawrence to the Renaissance Festival if needed. Three shifts are available each day, costumes are encouraged for volunteers working the counter, and no open-toed shoes or sandals are allowed. All volunteers must be 15 or older, and each volunteer will receive two free tickets to the Renaissance Festival to use any other day. For more details, contact Kendall Simmons at 785-856-1222 or kendall@recoveryandhope.org.

• The Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization and the city of Lawrence are looking for volunteers to manually count bicycles and pedestrians at several locations across the city next month. Bicycle and pedestrian counts will take place from noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 8, and from 10 a.m. to noon and 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 12. Rain dates have been scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 13, and Saturday, Sept. 15. Those interested in volunteering for one or all of the scheduled count times are required to attend a training session on one of the following dates: 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 4, and 11 a.m. to noon Wednesday, Sept. 5, in the Conference Room of the Carnegie Building, 200 W. Ninth St.; 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, in the Pine Room of the Kansas Union, 1301 Jayhawk Blvd.; or 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 6, at the Parks and Recreation Community Room in Eudora, 1630 Elm St. For more information, contact Jessica Mortinger at 785-832-3165 or jmortinger@lawrenceks.org.

• Douglas County Court Appointed Special Advocates, or CASA, is seeking volunteers to advocate for the best interests of abused and neglected children who are under the protection of the court system. CASA volunteers investigate, facilitate, monitor and mentor, serving children from birth to age 18. There are currently more than 60 children in need of a CASA volunteer. Men and minorities are encouraged to apply; the upcoming training dates are Sept. 13-29. A complete volunteer job description and application materials are posted online at dccasa.org, or can be obtained through the CASA office by calling 785-832-5172.

• United Way of Douglas County is seeking a LIVE UNITED T-shirt manager for this year’s campaign season. United Way provides the signature T-shirts to volunteers and donors for contributions of $5-$15, and the campaign office needs someone who is interested in managing the inventory and sales of the T-shirts throughout Douglas County. No training is required, but knowledge of spreadsheets is useful for inventory and delivery organization. Additionally, an appreciation for neatly folded T-shirts is a big plus. If this sounds like your kind of gig, contact Colleen Gregoire at 785-843-6626 or uwcamp@unitedwaydgco.org.

— For more volunteer opportunities, contact Shannon Reid at the United Way’s Roger Hill Volunteer Center, at 785-865-5030 or volunteer@rhvc.org, or go to volunteerdouglascounty.org.