Agency: United Way of Douglas County

Contact: Lori Johns at 785-843-6626 x 357 or at info@rhvc.org

Join the United Way and Child Care Aware in supporting the development and learning of young children and ensuring that all children in Douglas County enter kindergarten with the skills they need to succeed. Volunteers are needed to spend 30 minutes a week reading to children and guiding related activities using literacy kits provided by Childcare Aware of Eastern Kansas. A two-hour literacy training will be provided by Childcare Aware of Eastern Kansas. To provide continuity for the children in the program, we are asking that volunteers make a three-month commitment. For more information, please contact Lori Johns at 785-843-6626, ext. 357, at info@rhvc.org.

Do garden prep

Just Food and its partners fight hunger in our community by increasing the availability of a variety of foods while reducing waste from discarded food. Just Food is looking for volunteers to assist in getting ready for this year’s gardeners. Just Food is hosting a “Seed Library Work Party on Feb. 18 from 4 to 7 p.m. at Just Food. Volunteers will sort seeds, prepare packets for stuffing, and stuff packets with seeds. This is a great family-friendly or group volunteer opportunity. Volunteers may come and go as your schedule allows during the three-hour activity. Just Food also needs volunteers to transfer information from seed packets into a document to be printed off into labels prior to Feb 18. Please contact Aundrea Shafer at programs@justfoodks.org for more information.

Be a recycler

The City of Lawrence Solid Waste Division is looking for volunteers for the Spring Electronic Recycling & Document Shredding Event on March 19 in the Free State High School parking lot, 4700 Overland Drive. Volunteers are needed from 8:15 a.m. until about 1:15 p.m. Shorter volunteer shifts can be accommodated. Lunch will be provided. Volunteers will help set up the event location, direct traffic when the event starts, and pass out information/surveys to event participants. For more information, please contact Jenica Nelson at jnelson@lawrenceks.org or 785-832-3006.

Help Art in the Park

Art in the Park has been a Lawrence tradition for over 50 years with over 120 fine artists and crafts people, live music, and activities for kids. The Lawrence Art Guild is looking for volunteers to assist with planning and organizing of Art in the Park, scheduled for May 1 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in South Park. Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of tasks, including fundraising, artist hospitality, marketing, poster distribution, volunteer coordinating, and assisting at the information booth on the day of the event. If you would like to assist in the success of this Lawrence tradition, please contact Jen Unekis at j_unekis@hotmail.com.

Train your game

The Midland Railway Historical Association is seeking enthusiastic volunteer groups that value kids and community to help with their Day Out with Thomas the Train. The Midland Railway has created a fantastic way for nonprofit groups to raise cash while having fun by volunteering at an event in Baldwin City that attracts more than 12,000 visitors in just six days. Mark your calendars for June 3, 4, 5, 10, 11 and 12. Groups can raise cash for nonprofits by completing various volunteer tasks during the Day Out with Thomas the Train. Tasks include greeting the guests as they arrive, manning the bouncy houses and miniature golf course, working with the Thomas Photograph line, assisting with the craft area in Imagination Station, or helping to board and de-board passengers. Contracts with volunteer groups must be executed by April 15. Please contact Allen Kinsley at 913-424-6553 or akinsley.midlandry@yahoo.com, or Mindy King at 785-979-6680 or melindasking15@gmail.com.

A day at the museum

The Kansas University Natural History Museum needs friendly volunteers to greet KU Natural History Museum visitors. The front desk greeter is the first and most important person visitors see when they walk through the doors. Duties include: welcoming families, school groups and individuals; handing out maps; receiving and processing contributions; and answering phone inquiries. Also needed are volunteers to help operate the Fossilogics Gift Shop. Duties include: assisting customers, operating the cash register, answering phones and keeping the Museum Gift Shop looking great. Two-hour shifts are available during regular operating hours with a minimum requirement of volunteers working two shifts per month. For more information, please contact Angela Thompson at arthompson@ku.edu or 785-864-4450.

— 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.