Anchorage Daily News

The Volunteer Opportunities column is sponsored by United Way of Anchorage's Volunteer Center. To list an opportunity, go to www.unitedwayofanchorage.org or contact Sue Brogan at sbrogan@ak.org or 263-3821.

Alaska Center for the Blind and Visually Impaired: Tour the center noon-1:15 p.m. Thursday at 3903 Taft Drive and learn how you can get involved. A light lunch is provided. Free. (248-7770)

Loussac Library: Teens, don't miss Global Youth Service Day, 10:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 25, a fun volunteer party to help prepare materials for the Summer Reading Celebration. Refreshments provided. Call to register. (343-2853)

Forget Me Not Grief Program: Ages 16 and older with diverse backgrounds needed for three hours Thursday evenings twice a month. Required facilitator training in the peer group support begins Wednesday. (bryan@hospiceofanchorage.org)

The Anchorage Convention and Visitors Bureau: Work in the downtown log cabin and airport visitor information centers. Orientation and training class will be 1-5 p.m. May 15. (257-2342, 382-7997)

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

Camp Abilities Sports Camp: Work with blind/visually impaired campers in July. (561-6655)

Special Olympics Anchorage: Coaches and volunteers needed for basketball, power lifting, track and field and other sports from mid-March to mid-June. (Donna Davidson, 222-6853, dkdavidson@gci.net or www. specialolympicsalaska.org)

Anchorage Waterways Council: Sample water quality once a month in the winter and twice a month in the summer in local creeks. Free training on Thursday and Saturday. (www.anchoragecreeks.org; 272-7335, ext. 2)

Loussac Library: Become a VolunTEEN and assist with the summer reading program, shelve materials and work on other projects. (343-2841)

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

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

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

ASSE International Student Exchange Programs: Area representatives needed to recruit and screen prospective host families, interview students to study abroad and supervise visiting exchange students. Representatives are reimbursed for their expenses. (800-733-2773)

AYUSA Global Youth Exchange: Become a host family to an exchange student from another country. (345-5117)

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

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

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)

Anchorage Public Library: Coordinator needed for Reading Rendezvous, an event that encourages children to read during the summer. Attend semi-monthly meetings, recruit other volunteers and assist with activities. (619-402-4121, amanda@eisman.com)

World Heritage: Families, couples or single parents are needed to host high-school-age foreign exchange students in their homes. (866-985-4111, www.world-heritage.org)

Alaska Veterans Memorial Museum: Work at home and set your own schedule as a fundraising, membership or strategic planning chair. (Suellyn, 696-4904)

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

Anchorage School District: Work with children's literature for the library at the ASD Education Center, 5540 E. Northern Lights Blvd. Flexible hours; training provided. (shaw_ruth_jean@asdk12.org)

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

Catholic Social Services: Pregnancy Support and Adoption Services is looking for donations of finished quilts, wearable art and other fiber arts for a quilt auction in March. (Melissa, 222-7344)

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

Mary Conrad Center: Help medically frail people go on outings or participate in activities; give an educational presentation or play music. (269-3207)

Mat-Su Regional Hospice: Help in the office two or three hours a day or work with patients and families. Training provided. (352-4809, 352-4819)

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)

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

American Cancer Society: Help cancer patients, their families and caregivers; find and fit wigs for patients; or be a driver for the Road to Recovery team. Training provided. (273-2077)

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 Women's Resource Center: Help is needed 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)

Catholic Social Services: Help staff the Baby Boutique, which provides baby clothes and supplies to mothers in need. Tuesdays or Thursdays 11 a.m.-3 p.m. (222-7344)

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)

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