Agency: AARP Tax-Aide

Contact: Sarah Merriman at 785-813-1136 or at smerriman@swbell.net

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 and run through April 17.

Contact Sarah Merriman at 785-813-1136 or by email at smerriman@swbell.net for more information.

Boost voter turnout

The Kansas Appleseed Center for Law and Justice is dedicated to securing justice and equality for all. Kansas Appleseed seeks to engage voters in creating thriving, inclusive and just communities.

To this end, the center is seeking volunteer canvassers on Saturday, Oct. 21, to distribute information door to door with the goal of increasing voter turnout for the Nov. 7 election. Training and lunch will be provided to all volunteers at their office at 211 E. Eighth St., with territory maps provided for each volunteer. Two shifts for canvassing are available, starting at either 9:30 a.m. or 12:30 p.m.

For more information, please contact Lori Johns at 785-856-0917 or at ljohns@KansasAppleseed.org.

Help with housing

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 at the front desk with greeting tenants as they come in, monitoring the employment computer lab, answering phones, watching children while parents use the computer, and other clerical/administrative assistance.

To volunteer, please contact Heather Odell at 785-842-1533 ext. 2215 or at hodell@ldcha.org.

Serve hot lunches

Lawrence Meals on Wheels provides hot nutritious meals to the homebound elderly and/or disabled residents of Lawrence.

Lawrence Meals on Wheels needs regular volunteers to deliver meals to the homebound during the lunch hour, 11:15 a.m.-12:15 p.m., Monday through Friday. Volunteers can sign up to deliver on a specific day each week. Routes generally take less than an hour to deliver to six to eight homes. This opportunity works well for business folks who want to take a break during the week during their lunch hour to do something meaningful for others. Please contact Kim Culliss at 785-830-8844 or at 4mealsonwheels@sbcglobal.net, for more information.

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.