Agency: United Way of Douglas County

Contact: Colleen Gregoire at uwcamp@unitedwaydgco.org or at 785-843-6626, ext. 340

The United Way of Douglas County brings community resources together to support a better life for all residents, focusing efforts on health, self-sufficiency and education. Help equip Douglas County students for school by staffing the United Way’s school supplies drive Saturday and July 25. All donations will stay in Douglas County and be distributed to clients of local agencies including Ballard Community Center, ECKAN, Penn House and the Salvation Army. Two-hour shifts at Office Depot and both of the area Walmart stores are available from 10 a.m. to noon, noon to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday and July 25. This is a great opportunity for families or groups. To sign up to volunteer, go to volunteerdouglascounty.org.

• The United Way is looking for volunteers to staff the school supplies distribution on Aug. 9 through 14. All supplies are distributed to clients of local agencies such as Ballard Community Center, ECKAN, Penn House and the Salvation Army. Three tasks are available: transporting donations from the United Way building to the East Lawrence rec center on Aug. 9; assembling supplies into backpacks on Aug. 9; and assisting with backpack pickup on Aug. 10 through 14. Multiple shifts on each day are available. This is a great opportunity for families or groups. To sign up to volunteer, go to volunteerdouglascounty.org or contact Shelly Hornbaker at 865-5030, ext. 301 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org.

• The United Way of Douglas County is looking for a volunteer project leader for its Literacy Kits program. Literacy kits provide extra reading practice for children and interactive activities that adults and children can complete together. Responsibilities include identifying target reading levels, identifying appropriate books and related activities, creating necessary resources for activities, and organizing books and supplies to be distributed for kit assembly. A volunteer position description is available on volunteerdouglascounty.org. For more information, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at 865-5030, ext. 301 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org.

• 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? Big Brothers Big Sisters has over 40 boys waiting for a one-on-one mentor. Are you a male at least 18 years old, married or have a family? Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for a positive role model to spend a few hours a week with a 14-year-old boy who has been waiting for a Big for over two years. He lives with his grandmother, his father is incarcerated, and his mother passed away when he was a young boy. If you enjoy basketball, art and have a big heart, you will enjoy spending time with this kind, quiet and calm young person. If you have a few hours a week to make a difference in his life, call Big Brothers Big Sisters today at 785-843-7359. Learn more about becoming a mentor at a BBBS Information Session held every Tuesday at 5:15 p.m. and every Wednesday at noon.

— For more volunteer opportunities, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at 785-865-5030, ext. 301 or at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or go to volunteerdouglascounty.org.