The Volunteer Opportunities column is compiled from community input and in partnership with United Way of Anchorage's Volunteer Center, liveunitedanchorage.org/volunteer. To list an opportunity, email Joy Guest at jguest@adn.com or Sue Brogan of United Way at sbrogan@ak.org.

NeighborWorks Anchorage is seeking nominations for Paint the Town 2012. Paint the Town is designed to be a community based program to paint homes for single parents, seniors, people with disabilities, and other homeowners with limited capacity. During the week of June 1-9, community housing organizations will partner with community groups, sponsors, and volunteers to perform neighborhood enhancement projects and they need your help to make this program a success by nominating those whp need assistance. Do you know someone who needs their house painted but just doesn't have the means to do it? Nominate them! The goal is to paint 20 homes. Nomination forms are online at www.nwanchorage.org.

United Way of Anchorage has started a pilot program at Susitna Elementary and Lake Hood Elementary schools aimed at providing extra support needed by students facing challenges to succeed in school. There are opportunities to serve as a mentor, to help with homework, read or work on projects or just give students someone to talk to. Visit www.liveunitedanchor age.org/volunteer for details.

Girl Scouts of Alaska: Become a Girl Scout volunteer for girls from ages 5-17. Join a fun and informative conference call at 7 p.m. March 8 and learn more. Email lkyser@girlscouts alaska.org for details.

Girls on the Run Southcentral Alaska: Several "Running Buddies" are needed for this international nonprofit dedicated to educating and preparing girls in grades three through five for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. (liberty.kyser@girlsontherun.org)

Older Persons Action Group: Anchorage and Mat-Su drivers needed once a month to deliver the Senior Voice newspaper. Gas mileage paid at government rate. (276-1059, adminopag@gci.net)

Senior Companion Program: If you are 60 or older, help other seniors with shopping and doctor visits or just play a game of cards. (April, 375-2203)

Southcentral Foundation: Help elders with arts and crafts 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Tuesdays, or with bingo 12:30-1:30 p.m. Wednesdays. Must be 18 or older. (729-6515)

Standing Together Against Rape: Help with office work, events, community outreach, speakers bureau and crisis line. (Rebecca, 276-7279)

Alaska Medicare Program: Learn about Medicare and help others navigate the system, including the online prescription drug plan tool. Training provided. (269-3669)

Loussac Library: Provide program support for Anchorage Public Library by working with staff to host programs. Duties may include setting up for an event, making announcements, distributing materials and evaluation forms, operating audio/visual equipment, keeping track of attendance or working with staff in charge. (343-2981, www.anchoragelibrary.org)

Alaska Regional Hospital: Help at the gift shop, the information desk or in other areas. (264-1745)

Alaska Women's Resource Center: Help with a variety of tasks. (Diane, 565-1239, dogilview@akeela.org)

Alzheimer's Resource Agency: Help with art classes, office work and special events. (Angela, 561-3313, www.alzalaska.org)

Alaska Disaster Medical Assistance Team: AK-1 DMAT provides medical assistance in the event of a national disaster. All medical skills are needed, as well as security, logistics and communications volunteers. (www.ak1dmat.com)

Covenant House Alaska: Adults are needed to join the mentor program to provide guidance and act as role models to community youths. As a mentor, you would be matched with an individual 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 Dog and Puppy Rescue: The nonprofit organization working in the Mat-Su and Anchorage is looking for loving homes for rescued dogs and puppies. Or you can volunteer at adoption clinics, help with fundraising efforts and more. (745-7030, adpr03@yahoo.com)

Anchorage Pioneers' Home: Help with a variety of activities such as baking, community outings, arts and crafts, or bingo and other games. (343-7240)

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 Bonny Sosa Tuesday Night Race Series in 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. Hours are 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, crafts 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; 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.alanoclubof anchorage.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)

Victims for Justice: Help put events together or serve on the board of directors. (Susan, 278-0986)

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)

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)

Special Olympics: The Anchorage community program is in need of coaches and assistant coaches for swimming, track and field, and powerlifting. Partners are needed to play basketball with athletes. Other volunteer opportunities are also available. (222-6853, anchorage@special olympicsalaska.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)

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)

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. (222-7344, gclark-ross@cssalaska.org)

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: Inspire youths 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: We have openings for education volunteers. Training is available. Share your love of gardening, ecology and nature. Background check may be required. (Ryan, garden@alaskabg.org)

Bird Treatment and Learning Center: Clinic volunteers are needed to provide rehabilitation and care for injured or orphaned birds. Education presenters are needed to work with nonreleasable birds and present 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. (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 work at 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)