Agency: Lawrence Parks & Recreation

Contact: Annette Deghand, adeghand@lawrenceks.org, 832-7908

A woodworking friend is needed to assist an individual with special needs in a woodworking class offered through Lawrence Parks & Recreation. The student is a 52-year-old male with Down syndrome who loves woodworking. He is verbal and fully understands and communicates. He has participated in the class for several years and completed some impressive projects throughout that time. The woodworking friend will ensure the student’s safety around tools and equipment and keep him focused on the project he’s working on. The class instructor is present but needs to also be readily available to the other participants in the class.

The class is held from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. on Wednesdays through Dec. 6 (no class Nov. 22) at the Lawrence High School woodshop, 1901 Louisiana St. A background check and a volunteer agreement is required through the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. For more information, please contact Annette Deghand at adeghand@lawrenceks.org or at 832-7908.

Help with Week of Caring

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. In recognition of the United Way National Day of Caring, we will be celebrating a “Week of Caring” during the week of Oct. 2-6.

A variety of volunteer opportunities at area agencies are available at various dates and times during the week of Oct. 2. All the opportunities are appropriate for small groups of volunteers, as well as individual volunteers. Volunteering with coworkers is a great way to promote teamwork and morale. Some of the opportunities can even be completed on-site at your workplace. Rally your coworkers, organize your club, round up your BFFs and sign up for our Week of Caring at volunteerdouglascounty.org. If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Shelly Hornbaker at the United Way Roger Hill Volunteer Center at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org or at 785-865-5030, ext. 301.

Deliver food

The Lawrence Douglas County Housing Authority works to provide affordable housing and self-sufficiency services for low-income residents of Douglas County.

LDCHA is seeking assistance with its food program. Food commodity boxes from Harvesters Community Food Network are delivered on the third Monday of each month. LDCHA needs help delivering the boxes to the tenants in the building. A friendly chat and short visit is always good, too. Volunteers must be able to lift boxes weighing 25 to 50 pounds. Please call Haleigh Koca at 785-832-1692 for more information.

Halloween fundraiser

Prairie Park Nature Center is a city-run nature center that strives to provide unique learning experiences and inspire appreciation, understanding and stewardship of our natural environment.

The Prairie Park Nature Center is looking for help with its annual Halloween Fundraiser Event. Volunteers are needed for a variety of tasks: dress up, sell tickets, give out refreshments, run games and paint faces. The event lasts from 1 to 4 p.m. Volunteers are asked to commit to 5 and a half hours from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Arriving at 11 a.m. gives everyone time to dress up and get in position. Assistance with morning setup is also needed. We will take helpers as early as 10 a.m. Volunteers are asked to attend a pre-event meeting at 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27 at Prairie Park Nature Center. If you are interested, please email Alisa at akozlowski@lawrenceks.org.

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 youngster. 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 843-6626, ext. 301; at volunteer@unitedwaydgco.org; or go to volunteerdouglascounty.org.