Agency: United Way of Douglas County

Contact: Colleen Gregoire at development@unitedwaydgco.org or at (785) 843-6626 x 340

Looking for a fun and rewarding volunteer experience? Help save lives by joining the United Way and American Red Cross with our smoke alarm installation project.

Thirty volunteers are needed to work in three-person teams to install smoke alarms, share fire safety information, and record the installation information at sites in Eudora and Lawrence. Volunteers with experience using power drills and are able to use a two-step ladder are especially needed. Installations will occur from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. June 21. This is a great group volunteer project for businesses, church groups, and civic organizations, as well as a fun opportunity for individual volunteers. Sign up at www.volunteerdouglascounty.org or contact Colleen Gregoire at development@unitedwaydgco.org or at (785) 843-6626 x 340.

Help build a home

Tenants to Homeowners, Inc. administers the Lawrence Community Housing Trust Program, which sells homes for $20,000-$50,000 below market value to families with low and moderate incomes.

Tenants to Homeowners is building an aging in place senior community of 13 townhomes. Volunteers, either individual or groups are needed to assist with cleaning up the construction site or landscaping the site. This will be an ongoing part-time need through the fall of 2016. The Cedarwood Senior Cottages are located just behind the United Way Center near the 2500 block of Cedarwood. For more information, please contact Tenants to Homeowners at 842-5494 or at cbryantth@gmail.com.

Look after youths

Looking for a fun volunteer opportunity appropriate for youths? Success by 6 needs volunteers to assist with their Parent Education classes by providing child care for children younger than 5 years of age while their parents are attending class.

Two to three volunteers care for nine children from 5:30-8 p.m. at Centennial Adult Education Center, 2145 Louisiana St. Age-appropriate activities will be planned as well as a snack of pizza provided to attendees. Volunteers are needed on Wednesday evenings running through June 29, and also monthly on the second Tuesday, also 5:30-8 p.m.

Volunteers may sign up for either Wednesday evenings, Tuesday evenings, or both. For more information, please contact Rich Minder at docofamily2family@gmail.com or at 785-842-8719.

Distribute food

Harvesters, the community food bank, provides a mobile food pantry that allows Harvesters to distribute nutritious, perishable food in a timely manner to food insecure families.

Volunteers are needed Wednesday, June 15, from 8:30-11 a.m., at Eudora United Methodist. Volunteers will be outside helping with traffic flow, sign-in sheets, loading people’s cars (must be able to lift 5-20 pounds repeatedly), and a bit of cleanup. Volunteers age 12-15 are welcome with adult supervision.

If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, please register at fighthunger@harvesters.org . For groups of six or more, please contact Community Engagement at 785-816-775.

Be a Big Brother

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? For a few hours, a couple of times a month, you can give a “Little” the invaluable gift of your friendship.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for a male mentor 18 years of age or older to spend a few hours a week with a young man who is friendly, outgoing and talkative. He enjoys watching TV and playing games online. He also likes watching and playing sports. His favorite sports team is KU–all teams. His father is currently in Korea for work and so he will benefit from having a confident, committed and consistent Big. If you are ready to make a difference in the life of a young person in our community, ask about volunteering today. Please contact 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.