Volunteer Opportunities (12/11/11)

Girl Scouts of Alaska: Mentor a group of girls, plan and facilitate events, or help in the office. Learn more at Information Night, 6:30-7:30 p.m. Dec. 1 at 3911 Turnagain Blvd. E. (273-0310, lkyser@girlscoutsalaska.org)

Volunteers of America Alaska: Help give the gift of a beautifully wrapped gift. Volunteers are needed to assist with the gift wrapping at the Mall at Sears through Dec. 24. (274-7787, seniorpower@voaak.org)

New Hope on the Last Frontier: Volunteers are needed for the food pantry and clothing room. Hours are 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Monday and Tuesday and 3-6 p.m. Thursday. (274-4673)

Eagle River Nature Center: Assist at the information desk. Must be older than 18, outgoing and willing to lend a hand weekly. (Doris, 694-2108; admin@ernc)

American Cancer Society: Help find and fit wigs for cancer patients or be a driver for the Road to Recovery team. Training provided. (273-2077). Become a volunteer patient navigator and assist patients through their cancer journey. (273-2069)

Chugiak Senior Center: Help in the kitchen 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mondays, with bingo 5:30-9 p.m. Wednesdays or with adult day services. Must be 16 or older. (688-2685)

Day Break Adult Day Center: Make a difference in a senior's life. Volunteers are needed who can play the piano or musical instruments, perform in singing groups and dancing groups, go on group walks and outings and help with gardening. (daybreak@acmhs.com)

The Listening Post of Anchorage: The local nonprofit serves the community of the Downtown Transit Center by providing a quiet space and a listening ear. You will be trained in listening skills that will serve you personally and beyond. Must be 18, have a compassionate heart and be able to maintain confidentiality. (listeningpostak@gmail.com)

Youth for Understanding USA: Be an international ambassador. There is an immediate need for host families and volunteer mentors for foreign exchange students who will be arriving soon. (www.yfu-usa.org; Dawn Green, 208-447-8118)

Youth Advocates Community: YAC provides young adults, ages 16-24, with the opportunity to participate in monthly community service projects and social events. Youths who do or do not experience a disability can build a diverse support network of peers, learn self-advocacy skills, have fun and give back to their community. YAC is also looking for adult volunteers to assist in monthly activities. (Kelly Foran 264-6274, kelly@alaskachd.org)

Hospice of Anchorage: Assist patients, work in the office or help with special events. (561-5322)

49 Writers/49 Alaska Writing Center: Help with programs that support Alaska writers and promote Alaska books. Volunteer needs include clerical assistant, membership coordinator and program promotion assistant. Estimated time is one hour per week; training is provided. (49writers@gmail.com)

Rabbit Creek Shooting Park: Motivated individuals who are concerned with firearm safety and interested in assisting the public are needed as range safety officers to monitor the range during weekend shooting hours. Training is provided. (345-7831)

Civil Air Patrol: Serve as a civilian volunteer of the Air Force's auxiliary Civil Air Patrol, a humanitarian and educational nonprofit. Opportunities are available in writing, flying, radio operations, teaching, emergency services, finance, law and more. Cadets must be 12 to 18 years old to join. Also senior, chaplain and aerospace education memberships are offered. (www.gocivilairpatrol.com, 551-3137)

Boys and Girls Club: Adult volunteers who will commit to supporting, guiding and being positive role models to one or more Boys and Girls Club members are needed for mentoring programs. Help with homework, arts, sports, healthy lifestyles and overall social competence. (770-7321, www.bgcalaska.org/)

Parks and Recreation Opportunities: Assist with the annual Bonny Sosa Tuesday Night Race Series with parking control, registration, setup, cleanup and operational support.

East African Community Center of Alaska: Help with English classes for refugees as well as citizenship classes, homework, job searches and American culture classes. 4-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the Mountain View Boys and Girls Club. (884-4646, somalialaska@gmail.com)

The Wellness Innovations Center: The center seeks people who are in recovery from mental health issues to help others in recovery resume meaningful roles in the community. If you can mentor recovery skills, cooking, computer, office, art, craft or dance, call Joan at 562-7900. (alaskarecovery.org)

NAMI Anchorage: Opportunities for volunteers are available in a variety of areas. NAMI provides support, education and advocacy to people who experience mental illness and their families and friends. Training provided. (272-0227, namianchorage@gmail.com)

National Multiple Sclerosis Society: Lend support in the office or help with fundraisers. (563-1115)

Alaska Veterans Museum: People with business expertise, e.g., marketing, strategic planning, financial planning, fundraising and publicity are needed. Need not be a veteran; you may work from home. Meetings are fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. at 333 W. Fourth Ave, Suite 227. (622-9924, 696-4904)

The Alano Club of Anchorage: Skilled and unskilled volunteers are needed to complete ongoing projects such as plumbing, shoveling, painting, event setup and cleanup. Stop by the coffee bar and ask for a volunteer application. (276-5505, www.alanoclubofanchorage.org)

Friends of Nike Site Summit: Volunteers and building supplies are needed for work to preserve the former Nike missile site. Hazmat training and gear are provided. Or help with planning, marketing and fundraising. (694-3570, bgfrench@juno.com; www.nikesitesummit.net)

Friends of Pets: Volunteers are needed for committee work, dog and cat foster homes and as board members. Applications are online at www.friendsofpets.org. Check the "people" link. (vol@friendsofpets.org)

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve: Alaska ESGR Committee is looking for people with skills in public speaking, mediation training, marketing, event planning and more. The volunteer organization's mission is to gain and maintain employer support for Guard and Reserve service by recognizing outstanding support, increasing awareness of the law and resolving conflicts through mediation. Military experience is not a prerequisite. (428-6829, www.esgr.org)

Covenant House Alaska: Adults are needed to join the mentor program to provide guidance and act as role models for community youths. As a mentor, you would be matched with a youth. The ideal candidate would be willing to make a one-year commitment, working with ages 18-20. Must be able to pass a background check. (www.covenanthouseak.org/mentor.asp, 339-4497; bdonovan@covenanthouseak.org)

Alaska Professional Volunteers: Trained and untrained volunteers and support staff are needed to provide emergency medical support for a variety of community events and instruction and training in emergency medical services. Instruction provided. (www.apvinc.com)

Anchorage Museum: Guide tours or help with education programs, special events, exhibitions, archives and membership activities, or work in the gift shop. (929-9200)

Alaska Red Cross: Interview and orient new volunteers and maintain volunteer records. Shifts are three hours per week. Previous interviewing experience, presentation and office skills preferred. (646-5401)

Alaska Theatre of Youth: People are needed to design, sew and repair costumes for performances throughout the year. (338-4902, aty2008@gmail.com)

Alaska Humane Society: Adopt-a-Cat Shelter needs volunteers to help care for the 250 kitties that live at the shelter. (562-2287)

Alaska Native Justice Center: Adult volunteers are sought to mentor adults in their successful re-entry into the community from jail or prison. (793-3566)

Anchorage Senior Activity Center: Volunteers are needed year-round for events, shows, dances and game tournaments. (258-7823, www.anchorageseniorcenter.org)

Junior Achievement of Alaska: Teach basic financial literacy programs in schools. Materials and instructions are provided. (344-0101, pammann@ja-alaska.org)

Catholic Social Services: Serve as a cultural ambassador, family mentor or both to a newly arrived refugee family. Help with transportation needs or provide meals or groceries during their first weeks in the U.S. Inspire kids living at Clare House to learn and grow, 9:30 a.m.-noon Saturdays. (222-7344, gclark-ross@cssalaska.org)

St. Francis House Food Pantry: Help clients shop for food items in the pantry. Monday-Thursday; various hours. (222-7344 or gclark-ross@cssalaska.org)

Alaska Wildbird Rehab Center: Help rehabilitate birds for release and present nonreleasable wild birds for educational purposes. (892-1670, www.akwildbirdrehab.org)

Alaska Botanical Garden: Openings for education volunteers. Training is available. Share your love of gardening, ecology and nature. Background check may be required. (Ryan, education@alaskabg.org)

Bird Treatment and Learning Center: Clinic volunteers needed to provide rehabilitation and care for injured or orphaned birds. Education presenters needed to work with nonreleasable birds and give education programs to the public. (www.birdtlc.net, 562-4852)

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs: Local host families are sought for international boys and girls ages 15-18. The exchange students arrive from their home country shortly before school begins and return at the end of the school year or semester. (800-733-2773)

Anchorage Parks and Recreation Volunteer Program: Here's a great opportunity for teens to give back to their community, gain skills and beef up that resume. Volunteers will work at various parks and with organizations all over Anchorage. For ages 12-16. (343-4247, SimcoxRA@muni.org)

Special Olympics: Help is needed with local competitions. There are a variety of events, multiple dates and many positions that you can fill. For specific events and dates, email rachel.molina@gmail.com.

NAACP Anchorage: The ACT-SO Olympics of the Mind youth program for high school students is seeking adult mentors in performing arts, visual arts and humanities. Must be at least 18 and have experience in one or more of these areas. Meetings are at 4 p.m. Saturdays. (229-3178, actsoalaska@aim.com)

Anchorage Imagination Library: A fundraising chairperson is needed to help build business partnerships. Free books are mailed each month to all children enrolled from birth to age 5. Other volunteer opportunities are available. (351-9053, anchorageimaginationlibrary@gmail.com)

Alaska Regional Hospital Auxiliary Volunteer Program: Areas open to volunteering include the gift shop, information desk, mother-baby program, surgery waiting, menus and tray favors, patient mail delivery and the No One Dies Alone Program. (264-1745, alaskaregional.com)

Alaska Literacy Program: Have the experience of a lifetime teaching English to adults from around the world. Register for summer volunteer teacher training. Contact Lori Pickett at 337-1981 or visit www.alaskaliteracy program.org.

Habitat for Humanity: Work at a construction site or help with nonconstruction activities. (272-0800, www.hfhanchorage.org)

Anchorage Police Department: Look for missing people and crime scene evidence as a member of urban and rural search teams. Training provided. (www.apdst.org)

Alaska Center for Resource Families, Mat-Su: Collect donations for foster care and adoptive families. New toys, books, gifts for teens and adults, food and clothing are needed. (376-4678)

Prestige Care Inc.: Help medically frail people go on outings or participate in activities; give an educational presentation or play music. (269-3255)

Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman: Volunteers are needed to advocate for and promote the rights of residents in long-term care facilities. (800-730-6393, extension 2; 334-4485)

Southcentral Foundation: Help needed with the Elder Program. There is an application process and background check. Must be 18 or older. (Kira Bouwens, 729-5235)

AARP Tax-Aide Program: Learn to prepare basic tax returns for low- and mid-income families and seniors. Training provided by certified IRS and AARP instructors. Tax season is 11 weeks; commitment minimum is four hours a week. Classes begin Dec. 5, one day a week for five weeks. (www.aarp.org/tavolunteers; click on AARP TaxAide Volunteer Portal, 866-227-7447)

Alaska Humane Society: Volunteers are needed at the shelter. Lots of cats need attention and would love to show you affection. In return, all we ask is for a few hours of your time. (Tina, catztimes@yahoo.com)

Quilt of Valor: Dina's Cozy Cabin Quilts, 10901 Mausel St., Eagle River, is sponsoring a workshop for people who wish to make a quilt for a combat veteran, 4-6 p.m. Saturdays and noon-5 p.m. Sundays through May. Coaches will bring sewing machines and tools. Rookies buy a kit for a lap-size quilt. (696-3462, dinascozycabin.com; www.QOVF.org)

Alaska Dog and Puppy Rescue: This all-volunteer, nonprofit organization is looking for dog lovers to provide foster homes, to work at adoption clinics or to help with fundraising. (745-7030, adpr03@yahoo.com)

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska & Washington The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Alaska & Washington, a nonprofit organization that grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions, is seeking local volunteers. Four years ago, an Anchorage youth named Abraham was diagnosed with stage three, T-Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Abraham's wish was to visit Ireland. This summer, now 18-year-old Abraham's wish came true when he and his family boarded a plane to Ireland. Abraham's 10-day wish trip was a vacation from medical treatments and a celebration of his tremendous battle for his life. After touring historic castles, sightseeing geological wonders, and visiting museums, Abraham returned to Anchorage with a lifetime of memories with his family. The Make-A-Wish Foundation needs your help to continue making miraculous wishes like Abraham's come true. The Anchorage chapter is hosting two online volunteer trainings for potential volunteers on Dec. 14 and Jan. 17. To register, contact Juli McClave at juli@nwwishes.org or call 1-800-304-9474.