Agency: KU Homecoming’s Community Outreach Committee

Contact: Laken Rapier at lakenrapier@verizon.net

KU Homecoming’s Community Outreach Committee is looking for several volunteers to assist in providing additional safety for the Jayhawk Jog route this Sunday. The Jayhawk Jog is a 5K Run/Walk fundraiser for the United Way of Douglas County. Volunteer tasks include stopping traffic as needed, directing runners and any other minor safety responsibilities. Volunteers must be 18 years old and are needed starting at 8 a.m. Sunday. For additional details, please contact Laken Rapier at lakenrapier@verizon.net.

Immediate needs

• Garden Incubator’s inaugural year has been phenomenal thanks to communitywide support and hard work, and before it bids farewell to Garden Incubator Garden Season 2012 (GIGS-12), it’s looking for a little more volunteer support in order to devote more energy to enhancing the children’s discovery garden next season. Volunteers are asked to come out to the Garden Incubator, 200 N. Seventh St., from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday for any period of time that you can help. Volunteers will be building at least one raised table garden bed that is wheelchair-accessible, prepping the ground for next spring’s fruit planting, painting and primping the garden shed and putting the finishing touches on the organization’s composter. Lots of hands and brains are needed, and food and drink will be provided as a thank you. Please show up if you can help, or contact Aimee Polson at 785-331-5959 if you have questions.

• Lawrence Children’s Choir is in need of several volunteers to help with its Nov. 2 event, “A Harvest of Harmony.” Volunteers are needed at the event to help set up staff auction tables, direct parking and help with the food. The event, which will include bountiful food, entertainment, drinks and auction items for bid, will need volunteers from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. for the various jobs. Because of a major funding loss after the elimination of the Kansas Arts Commission, this event is part of the effort to support LCC’s core mission: exceptional music education for children. Volunteers should be 21 or older to serve at this event, and all questions can be directed to Jane Graves, executive director, at 785-331-4662 or execdirector@lcchoir.org.

• Kids Voting is seeking 300 volunteers to staff 50 polling sites on Election Day, Nov. 6. Kids Voting is a nonpartisan, nationwide organization dedicated to educating youth in grades K-12 about the rights, responsibilities and mechanics of participating in American democracy. Kids Voting started in Douglas County in 1992. Kids will “go to the polls” on Election Day and cast their ballots. Volunteers will help kids sign in when they arrive, give them their special ballots and assist them with voting. Shifts are available early morning, late afternoon or evening; two volunteers (ages 16 and up) are needed for each shift. To sign up, go to volunteerdouglascounty.org, click “Find a Volunteer Opportunity,” and then scroll down until you see the Kids Voting logo. From there you’ll be able to view all of the polling sites and volunteer shifts.

• Hidden Valley Camp needs volunteers for its fall workday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Nov. 4 (rain date: Nov. 11). Come help the environment at Hidden Valley by cutting, clearing out and burning brush, and continuing to fight the invasive honeysuckle. Volunteers should wear heavy shoes and bring work gloves. Any volunteers who can bring chain saws to help with some of the bigger brush is much appreciated. For more information, please contact Durand Reiber at durandi@sunflower.com.