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.

The Red, White and Blue Crew Marching Band: Join the marching band at the Fourth of July parade. There will be three rehearsals; June 28, July 2 and July 3 from 7 to 9 p.m. at Service High School. Ages middle school to adult are welcome to join. Free music available at Music Man and Horn Doctor. (www.anchoragemarchingband.com)

Anchorage Parks and Recreation Volunteen Program: Here's a great summer opportunity for ages 12-16 to give back to their community, gain skills and beef up that resume. Volunteens will work at various parks and organizations learning about volunteer opportunities in a supervised environment. Program begins Monday and runs through July 26. To register, contact SimcoxRA@muni.org or call 343-4247.

Alaska Cooperative Extension 4-H: International Exchange Program is looking for host families in Anchorage, Kenai and Mat-Su for the summer 2012 LABO Japan-Alaska youth exchange. Each family must have a child ages 10-16 who is willing to be a host brother or sister for a Japanese youth. (Tony Nakazawa, tnakazawa@alaska.edu; Marianne Kerr, mlkerr@alaska.edu; 786-6300, 460-0825)

Older Persons Action Group: Anchorage and Mat-Su drivers are needed once a month to deliver the Senior Voice newspaper. Gas mileage paid at the 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 include assisting 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 such as marketing, strategic planning, financial planning, fundraising and publicity are needed. You need not be a veteran and may work from home. Meetings are fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. at 333 W. Fourth Ave., Suite 227. (622-9924, 696-4904)

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs: Local host families are sought for international boys and girls ages 15-18. (800-733-2773)

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)

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. (Lori Pickett, 337-1981, or www.alaskaliteracyprogram.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)