Agency: USD 497, Peaslee Tech, the Lawrence Schools Foundation, and the United Way

Contact: Shelly at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or at 865-5030, ext. 301

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 fulfill two roles. First to model and practice networking skills with small groups of students. Second is to share information about familiar career pathways while practicing networking skills in a fun, low-stress setting. Shifts in the morning, 8-11:40, and afternoon, 12:15-2:45, are available both days. Sign up to volunteer at volunteerdouglascounty.org or contact Shelly at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or at 865-5030, ext. 301.

Do something green

On Tuesday, Nov. 15, the City of Lawrence Solid Waste Division will host a Paper Shred Event, joining thousands of local organizers holding recycling events across the country to celebrate America Recycles Day (ARD), a national initiative of Keep America Beautiful. The Paper Shred Event will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Douglas County Fairgrounds Arena Parking Lot at 1930 Harper St. Volunteers are needed from 10 to 11 a.m. to help set up cones and signs; from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., to help direct traffic and engage with event attendees; and from 1 to 1:30 p.m. to help pick up cones and signs and clean up. All volunteers will receive a Lawrence Recycles giveaway item as a thank you for their time. To volunteer, please contact Megan at mgilliland@lawrenceks.org.

Help a mobile food pantry

Harvesters provides a mobile food pantry that allows it to distribute nutritious, perishable food in a timely manner to feed insecure families. Harvesters has an urgent need for volunteers at one of its mobile food pantries. Volunteers will be outside helping with traffic flow, sign-in sheets, loading people’s cars (must be able to lift 5-20 lbs. repetitively) and complete a bit of clean-up. Volunteers are needed from 9 until 11 a.m. on Nov. 15 at the Eudora United Methodist Church, 2084 North 1300 Road. Volunteers age 12 to 15 are welcome with adult supervision. If you are interested in this volunteer opportunity, register online at harvesters.org/Give-Time/Volunteer-Sign-Up or contact Community Engagement at 816-7750 or fighthunger@harvesters.org.

Help seniors retain independence

Douglas County Senior Services Inc. is committed to promoting and enhancing the quality of life for older citizens of Lawrence and Douglas County. DCSS is implementing a pilot project and working with Community Village Lawrence to provide volunteer services that will allow community members to remain in their home as they age. DCSS is recruiting for two VISTA positions where you will meet community leaders and attend community events to inform the community about the available services, as well as recruit volunteers to provide the services. These positions require a year long, full-time commitment, provide a modest living allowance and allows for limited benefit options. At the completion of a year of service, individuals are eligible for an Education Award of $5,775. Please contact Ellen Paulsen at elnpaulsen@sbcglobal.net.

Make Thanksgiving easier for those with MS

Traveling Turkeys is a program that aims to ease the stress of the holidays for those living with multiple sclerosis by providing and delivering a food basket of items for preparation of a Thanksgiving meal. On Nov. 22, the Mid America Chapter of the MS Society will coordinate delivery of the meals in the Douglas County area. Volunteers are needed to provide food basket items and deliver baskets around Douglas County. To volunteer, call 1-800-344-4867 and press 1.

Help pack holiday meals

The Salvation Army needs volunteers to assist with its Thanksgiving Food Box Program. Volunteers are needed 9 a.m. to noon on Nov. 21 to organize food, pack food boxes and arrange the boxes for pickup. Additional volunteers are needed 9 a.m. to noon and 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 22 to help families pick up the food boxes and load the boxes into vehicles. Please contact Jim Evers at jim_evers@usc.salvationarmy.org or at 764-0962, to volunteer.

— 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.