Agency: Boys and Girls Club of Lawrence

Contact: Hannah Odette at volunteer@bgclk.org or at 785-380-8895

The Boys & Girls Club of Lawrence provides before- and after-school programming to over 1,400 children at 14 sites across Lawrence, striving to give members the skills needed to become successful adults, focusing on academic enrichment, healthy lifestyles and good character and citizenship. The club is looking for volunteers to assist with their KidzLit program reading to students and participating in literacy-based activities. The successful volunteer will enjoy working with small groups of children and have a passion for literature that can be passed on to children. The KidzLit books are already selected and lesson plans created. All you need to do is have fun engaging the students. Program hours are generally Monday-Friday 3-5:30 p.m. For more information, please contact volunteer@bgclk.org or at 785-380-8895.

Family Promise of Lawrence provides support and services for homeless children and their families. Family Promise needs volunteers to serve as van drivers for morning and weekend shifts. The early morning shift starts at 6 a.m., drives the 15-passenger van to the hosting congregation, picks up families and brings them back to the day center. Weekend shifts vary. Volunteers must have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a safety course for a 15-passenger van with the insurance company. Number of days can be flexible. For further information, please contact dana@lawrencefamilypromise.org.

Small World is a non-profit program operated entirely by volunteers. This program of cultural and educational exchange provides a fun, comfortable environment in which international women and their children can adapt to living in Lawrence. Volunteers are needed to help lead teachers with activities planned for children in the nursery and preschool classes. Volunteers are needed on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Contact Kathy at 785-841-3645 or at smallworld@sunflower.com to volunteer.

Healthy Sprouts is a farm-to-preschool program that partners with child care centers to connect children to healthy food and eating habits. Healthy Sprouts will be one of the charitable recipients of the Seedco Harvest Festival. This fun event needs volunteers to help with a range of jobs including will call, parking and band runners. All volunteers receive free admission so once your shift is over you can enjoy the festival. Seedco would like volunteers to sign up at: http://www.volunteerspot.com/login/entry/1016231712011 or contact Melissa Freiburger, Healthy Sprouts coordinator, at melissa@dccd or at 785-842-9679.

Communities in Schools is an organization dedicated to empowering students to stay in school and achieve in life. Kennedy Elementary is gearing up for another year of Marathon Club for K-5 students. The goal is to run 26.2 miles by the end of the school year. Volunteers can jog with the students, stand at checkpoints to encourage runners, monitor the course, and tally the laps students make. Volunteers are needed Mondays from 3-4 p.m. and Wednesdays from 1:35-2:15 p.m. For more information, please contact Stacie Jackson at Stacie.jackson@ciskansas.org or at 785-330-1656.

Visiting Nurses is a non-profit organization providing home health care and hospice services for our community. Visiting Nurses is seeking a volunteer to have fun calling BINGO in the afternoon on the third Friday of every month for residents at Drury Place. Visiting Nurses and Drury Place will provide supplies/prizes as needed. If interested, please call Sarah Rooney at 785-843-3738 or at sarahro@kansasvna.org.

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Douglas County provides one-to-one relationships for children facing adversity. Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking to match over 30 boys in the Bigs In School program. A second grade boy could benefit from a mentor once a week during his lunch break from September to May. You can read books together, play games and get to know each other. All contact with a young child in this program is only on school grounds. The impact of a mentor to a child at risk increases their chances of graduating from high school. Are you ready to be a positive influence in the life of a child? To make a difference in the life of this young man, please contact Stacie Salverson-Schroeder at 785-843-7359, ext. 112, or at sschroeder@ksbbbs.org.

For more volunteer opportunities, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 785-865-5030 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or go to www.volunteerdouglascounty.org.