Agency: Audio Reader

Contact: Jennifer at 785-864-4604

Audio-Reader is a radio reading service for the blind and print-disabled of Kansas and western Missouri. Audio Reader is looking for volunteers to serve as the first point of contact for volunteers, visitors and callers to Audio-Reader. These volunteers will be responsible for ensuring a positive, helpful experience for all volunteers, listeners and community members who may visit or call Audio-Reader.

Volunteers will also provide support to all Audio-Reader departments through a variety of support tasks, including spreadsheet-based data entry, coordination of mass mailings, event planning and other needs of the organization. They will provide volunteer support through studio scheduling, minor troubleshooting and social engagement and support clients by providing application and service information, following up on listener satisfaction, providing information about other available resources and coordinating radio returns.

A minimum of three hours once per week is preferred; however, there is room for some flexibility. A minimum commitment of six months is preferred. Please contact Jennifer at 785-864-4604 with questions. To apply, complete a volunteer application at reader.ku.edu/volunteer-application.

School supplies drive

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 community school supplies drive on July 29 and 30 still needs volunteers. Please help at one of the ten collection sites for the annual school supplies collection drive — Checkers, all four Dillon stores, both Hy-Vee stores, Office Depot, and both Walmart stores.

Collected supplies will benefit The Ballard Community Center, ECKAN, The Salvation Army and Penn House, which provide free school supplies to qualifying families in Douglas County.

This is a great opportunity for business groups, civic groups, book clubs, groups of friends, families, scout troops, sports teams, 4-H clubs and individuals. To sign up, please go to volunteerdouglascounty.org or contact Sarah Pierrelee at Vista@unitedwaydgco.org or at 785-843-6626, ext. 375.

Take medical notes

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 Lawrence is looking for volunteers to serve as medical note-takers. Note-takers record the communication transactions that occur between the medical provider and CVL clients. In their role, note-takers accompany seniors to various appointments and act as another pair of ears. Note-takers meet with the client prior to accompanying them to an appointment, and help to prepare them for the medical visit. The note-taker responsibility focuses on the communications between the medical practitioner and the senior citizen.

Volunteers should have an interest in serving older adults in a medical setting. Participants should be willing to provide exceptional customer service, including employing the use of active listening skills, diplomacy, tact and patience. For more information, please contact Sheilah Tackett at sheilahtackett1@gmail.com or at 785-393-2914.

Help kids get active
The Douglas County Safe Routes to School initiative, called “Be Active Safe Routes,” is a collaborative effort between the Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department, Lawrence Public Schools, the City of Lawrence, the Lawrence-Douglas County Metropolitan Planning Organization and numerous community partners to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to safely walk and bike to school. The Lawrence-Douglas County Health Department and the Lawrence Pedestrian Coalition will be bringing the Safe Routes to School National Partnership to Lawrence to offer a Safe Routes to School Champions training course. Many volunteers are needed.

After attending the one-day training on August 29, volunteers will work with Lawrence and Douglas County elementary and middle schools and the adjacent neighborhoods to promote safe and healthy activities. For more information, please contact Gary Webber at gwebber@sunflower.com or at 312-4840.

Be 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 or girl in our community? For a few hours a couple times a month, you can give a “Little” the invaluable gift of your friendship.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is seeking mentors to spend time with a young boy or girl on its waiting list. If you have a few hours a week to be a volunteer, this is your opportunity to make a difference in the life of a child. For more information, please contact Mark Gordy 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 volunteerdouglascounty.org.