Agency: Health Care Access

Contact: Jennifer Stucker at stuckerj@healthcareaccess.org

Health Care Access, a health home for the uninsured in Douglas County, needs volunteers to help with the Kansas Half Marathon/5K event on Sunday, Nov. 5. Please check the Sign-Up Genius at signupgenius.com/go/5080d4eafaa23a1fc1-kansas, for various volunteer opportunities. Various volunteer tasks are available through until Race Day. If you have additional questions, please email Jennifer Stucker, Director of Development and Communications at stuckerj@healthcareaccess.org.

Help prepare taxes

AARP Tax-Aide, the nation’s largest free volunteer-run tax preparation and assistance service, is looking for volunteers to help low- and moderate-income individuals and families prepare and file their individual tax returns next season. Volunteers do not need to be an AARP member or retiree to participate. Volunteers need to have basic computer skills and the personal drive necessary to learn and become proficient with new tax preparation software provided by the IRS. AARP Tax-Aide volunteers are provided access to all computer equipment and training materials required and receive comprehensive tax training in January. Tax preparation will begin Feb. 5, 2018, and run through April 17, 2018. Contact Sarah Merriman at 785-813-1136 or by email at smerriman@swbell.net for more information.

Wood cutting support

The Friends of Hidden Valley help maintain and preserve the Hidden Valley camp at Kasold and Bob Billings Parkway. Come join the Hidden Valley Fall Wood Cutting and Maintenance Workday from 1-4 p.m. Nov. 12 to assist with fall wood cutting support as well as maintenance projects in Mary’s Meadow and Dogwood Forest. Special projects are available with advance notice. Check in at the “Gathering Place.”

Bring your own work gloves and a water bottle. Tools, first aid and refreshments are provided at work days. Scout troops are welcome to contact the service project coordinator to plan their own service project. Contact Durand Reiber at 865-4657 or at durandi@sunflower.com for more information.

Repainting the trail

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 seeking a group or family of volunteers interested in repainting a United Way Born Learning Trail. Tasks include repainting colorful shapes and letters on the sidewalk of a local park and cleaning an instructional yard sign along the trail. Paint, supplies, and instructions are provided by The United Way. Please contact Shelly Hornbaker at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or at 785-865-5030, ext. 301, for more information.

Mentor a youth
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 a Big Brother for Korey. Korey is new to the program, but his older brother has had a Big for the past two years. Watching his older brother doing fun things with his Big is disappointing for Korey. Korey is more than ready for a Big of his own. Korey is very active and sometimes has a hard time sitting still, but he is very thoughtful and loves helping other people. He also loves games, video games, picture books, movies, dancing, and playing just about every sport. Although Korey has a short attention span, he is ready to do just about anything. If you have a few hours to be a volunteer, this is your opportunity to make a difference in the life of a youngster. For more information, please contact Mark Gordy at 785-843-7359.

­­– For more volunteer opportunities–individual, group, family, or workplace, 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.