Agency: United Way of Douglas County

Contact: Sarah Pierrelee at 843-6626 ext. 375 or at vista@unitedwaydgco.org.

The United Way of Douglas County brings community resources together to support a better life for residents by focusing on improvements in health, education and financial stability. The United Way is providing essential dental hygiene tools to the children of Eudora Elementary through the Healthy Halloween Snack Pack event. Volunteers are needed to fill snack packs with toothbrushes and toothpaste 9 a.m. Oct. 22, at Eudora Elementary, 801 E. 10th St., Eudora. Please contact Sarah Pierrelee at 843-6626 ext. 375 or at vista@unitedwaydgco.org.

Help kids practice career skills

USD 497, in partnership with Peaslee Tech, the Lawrence Schools Foundation and the United Way is holding a Career Exploration Fair for USD 497 seventh graders on Nov. 10 and 11. Many volunteers are needed to fill two roles. The first is to model and practice networking skills with small groups of students, and the second is to share information about familiar career pathways while practicing networking skills. Morning shifts, 8-11:40, and afternoon shifts, 12:40-2:40, are available both days. Sign up to volunteer at volunteerdouglascounty.org or contact Shelly at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or at 865-5030, ext. 301.

Make sidewalks safe

Douglas County Senior Services and the City of Lawrence need 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 lawrenceks.org/safe_winter_walkways.

Teach friends how to cook

Are you interested in helping others learn about healthy eating and cooking? Team up with one of United Way’s AmeriCorps members to co-lead a Harvesters Project Strength class which assists adults in creating healthy meals with limited resources. Become a co-facilitator by attending a “train the trainers” session at Harvesters or partner with us as an assistant during an eight week class — no training required. Each session covers the basics of food safety, nutrition and hands-on cooking. Harvesters provides the food, educational materials and the equipment for cooking. Community class times can be scheduled at a time that works for you. Please contact Daneka Vann at dvann@unitedwaydoco.org.

Assist the elderly with chores

Community Village of Lawrence helps neighbors remain in their homes as they age by creating a network of support to make aging at home a long-term, affordable option. Community Village of Lawrence is looking for volunteers willing to assist Community Village members with simple household tasks, which includes laundry, light housekeeping, organizing and/or basic handyman services. Volunteers can set their own schedule and respond to requests on an as-needed basis. Please contact Heather Cook at info@communityvillagelawrence.org or give us a call at 505-0187.

Be a friendly face

Douglas County Senior Services Inc. is committed to promoting and enhancing the quality of life for older citizens of Lawrence and Douglas County. Douglas County Senior Services is looking for a volunteer who can serve as a substitute receptionist during lunch breaks and days when the regular receptionist is gone. Duties include greeting members of the public, answering the telephone and taking messages, answering basic questions and referring customers to the appropriate staff members for specific assistance and supervision of the activities on the first floor and in the front lobby. Please contact Shari Millar at 842-0543.

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