Independence, Inc. strives to maximize independence for people with disabilities through advocacy, training, and transportation. Independence, Inc. is looking for a volunteer or small group of volunteers who can help develop and create a short documentary style film –probably a few minutes in length. If you have experience with film making or need to add to your personal portfolio of works, Contact Tara Nelson at tnelson@independenceinc.org or at 841-0333 for more information.

Healthy Sprouts is a Farm-to-Preschool program that partners with child care centers to connect children to healthy food and eating habits. Volunteers are needed on the mornings of March 24 and 25 to help pick up compost from the Lawrence city site and deliver it to child care centers and in-home care providers for their preschool gardens. Volunteers must have a truck that can be loaded with compost. For more information, contact Melissa Freiburger at melissa@dccda.org or at 842-9679.

The March of Dimes is in its 43rd year of the March for Babies Walk. The money raised supports programs that help moms have healthy, full term pregnancies, as well as funding research to find answers to serious problems that threaten our babies. This year’s March of Dimes March for Babies 1- or 3-Mile-Walk is scheduled for April 26. Volunteers are needed throughout the day for set up, various tasks during the walk, and taking down all equipment and supplies at the conclusion of the walk. Set up begins at 7 a.m. and clean up starts around noon. Contact Stephanie Rasys at 838-1894 or at stephanier@centralnational.com for more information.

Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. strives to empower tenants to become homeowners through managing an inventory of affordable housing options and providing programs for education, construction and creative financing surrounding home ownership. Volunteer mentors are needed as key participants in the effort to increase affordable housing opportunities and post-occupancy longevity and self sufficiency for families desiring safe, affordable housing from low income programs offered by Habitat for Humanity, the Lawrence-Douglas County Housing Authority and Tenants to Homeowners. Each mentor will assist one participating family to develop skills needed to qualify for housing, or to develop and maintain self sufficiency, post occupancy. This one-year program, funded by United Way and Douglas County Bank, is facilitated through Tenants to Homeowners. Volunteer training is provided. For more information, contact Robert Baker at rbakertth@gmail.com or at 842-5494.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County provides one-to-one relationships for children facing adversity. Are you looking to make a difference in the life of a young boy in our community? For a few hours, a couple times a month, you can give a “Little” the invaluable gift of your friendship. Big Brothers is looking for a strong male role model for a cute, smiley, goofy and playful 11-year-old boy. If you like to bowl, play video games and have a good sense of humor, you’ll have a great time with this young man. To make a difference in the life of this young man, contact Stacie Salverson-Schroeder at 843-7359, ext. 112, or at sschroeder@ksbbs.org.

For more volunteer opportunities, contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 865-5030 or at volunteer@rhvc.org or go to www.volunteerdouglascounty.org.