Agency: Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri

Contact: Lori Hanson at 842-5427 or at lorihanson@gsksmo.org

Join the Girl Scouts as they build girls’ courage, confidence and character. Through activities in science and technology, business and economic literacy, and outdoor and environmental awareness, Girl Scouting provides girls with opportunities for fun and friendship while fostering leadership skills and self-esteem. The Girl Scouts of Northeast Kansas and Northwest Missouri are looking for Brownie troop leaders for Kennedy, Woodlawn, Broken Arrow, New York and Corpus Christi second- and third-graders. Daisy troop leaders for kindergarten and first-graders at Hillcrest and New York elementary schools are also needed. To find out more, contact Lori Hanson at 842-5427 or lorihanson@gsksmo.org.

Help feed preschoolers

Would you enjoy helping to provide a healthy lunch to preschool children? Douglas County Child Development Association has opened a small preschool classroom, Positive Bright Star, in the Edgewood housing community at 1600 Haskell Ave. The preschool is looking for volunteers to assist with lunch. Volunteers will pick up lunches from the Merc Co-op at Ninth and Iowa streets, deliver them to the classroom, help serve lunch to the children, and clean up after the meal is completed. Volunteers are needed from about 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday through Friday. You are welcome to volunteer once a week or more. Mileage reimbursement is available. Please contact Marci at 842-9679 or marci@dccda.org.

Clean up after zombies

The Lawrence Humane Society provides shelter, care and advocacy for homeless and abused animals, as well as resources for people and pets in our community. As a recipient of the proceeds from the Downtown Zombie Walk, the Humane Society is looking for volunteers to help clean up downtown at the conclusion of the walk, starting at 6 p.m. Thursday. For more information, please contact Taylor Bauer at volunteer@lawrencehumane.org or 843-6835.

Become a companion

Visiting Nurses Association provides hospice care, home health care, rehabilitation care and private duty care. The agency is looking for volunteers for a variety of tasks. Patient Companions work directly with patients and families by providing needed companionship for patient and/or respite for primary caregiver in home settings or care facilities once a week. Friendly Visitors make rounds at local nursing homes served by VNA Hospice. CareCuts/haircuts provide simple haircuts to hospice patients unable to leave their home. Massage therapists provide simple, light massage (no massage table/chair needed) to hospice patients. Musical volunteers share talent with clients at care facilities one-on-one or as a group activity. Mandatory hospice training will be provided. No medical knowledge required. Contact Sarah Rooney at sarahro@kansasvna.org or 843-3738.

Share your tax skills

AARP Tax-Aide provides free income tax assistance for taxpayers with low to moderate income, with special attention to those residents age 60 years and above. AARP Tax-Aide has offered free tax assistance in the Lawrence area for more than 25 years, serving 2,000-plus clients per year. If you enjoy working with people and computers, embrace challenges and learning new things, AARP has the volunteer opportunity for you. Volunteers are needed to help low- and moderate-income families prepare and file their individual tax returns next season. Volunteers should have basic computer skills and the personal drive necessary to learn and become proficient with new tax preparation software provided by the IRS. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers are provided access to all computer equipment and training materials required and will receive comprehensive tax training in January. Tax preparation will begin Feb. 1 and run through April 15. For more information, please contact Sarah Merriman at 813-1136 or smerriman@swbell.net.

Become a Big

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 more than 40 boys waiting for a one-on-one mentor. Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for a male mentor 18 years or older to spend a few hours a week with a 13-year-old boy. This young man is smart, charming and funny. He is open to any activities — he enjoys sports, art, dancing and school. If you are ready to make a difference in the life of a young person in our community, ask about volunteering today by calling Big Brothers Big Sisters at 843-7359.

— 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.