Agency: Friends of Hidden Valley Camp

Contact: Durand Reiber at durandi@sunflower.com or 865-4657

Friends of Hidden Valley is hosting its annual fall workday from 1 to 4 p.m. Nov. 8 at Hidden Valley Camp, 3420 Bob Billings Parkway. Join Scouts, neighbors, Friends members, Kansas University students and other community groups as we clear and burn the invasive honeysuckle and tackle other routine projects including wetland and campsite maintenance, clearing trails, cutting firewood, stocking woodpiles, collecting wildflower seeds, picking trash from streams and more. Special projects include building a long footbridge and installing wooden kiosks. Kids can make and throw wildflower seed balls for our Pollinator Project. Most tools and gloves are provided, although loppers, handsaws and skilled folks with chainsaws are appreciated. Warming fires with s’mores and hot cocoa provided! Bring a water bottle, dress in layers for the weather and wear durable, enclosed shoes. Minors under 15 must be accompanied by an adult. Minors 15 and above may request a waiver ahead of time to be signed by a parent and brought to the event. Please RSVP for more information to durandi@sunflower.com.

Help at Ballard

Ballard Community Services provides early education services, emergency assistance, holiday assistance, case management services, and a variety of human service programs in support of families. The Ballard Center is looking for a volunteer(s) to serve as a pantry intake assistant. Tasks include tracking individuals and families served and helping families select the foods that best fit the family’s needs. Volunteers should be outgoing and able to lift 15+ lbs. Shifts available Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons. Training provided. Please contact Shawn Hough at shawn@ballardcenter.org or at 785-842-0729 for more information.

Shovel snow

The City of Lawrence and Douglas County Senior Services needs your help! The Safe Winter Walkways program needs volunteers to help elderly or disabled individuals clear public sidewalks during snow events. Able-bodied Lawrence residents with a passion for helping others and an enjoyment of winter weather are needed to volunteer to create safer and more accessible pedestrian walkways by shoveling snow through the winter months. To register to volunteer, please go to www.lawrenceks.org/safe_winter_walkways.

Be a companion

Neuvant House provides care for residents needing memory support. Neuvant House is looking for a companion for an elderly gentleman who enjoys journalism. Do you have writing skills you would like to share? Do you enjoy discussing writing and journalism? Come chat as often as you’d like as it fits into your schedule. For more information, please contact Ashley Odermann at activities@neuvanthouse.com or at 785-856-7900.

Provide meals

Lawrence Meals on Wheels provides hot nutritious meals to the homebound elderly and/or disabled residents of Lawrence. Lawrence Meals on Wheels needs regularly weekly drivers for lunchtime meal delivery. Delivery is during the lunch hour, 11:15-12:15, Monday – Friday. Routes generally take less than an hour to deliver to 6-8 homes. This is a great opportunity for families with young children. Clients love to see kids when their meals are dropped off. This also works well for business folks who want to take a break during the week during their lunch hour to do something meaningful for others. Please contact Kim Culliss at 785-830-8844 or at 4mealsonwheels@sbcglobal.net, for more information.

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 over 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 785-843-7359.

— 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 www.volunteerdouglascounty.org.