Volunteer Opportunities

*Will accept high school service hours

Local American Red Cross: Needs volunteer client caseworkers to meet with clients, at client’s convenience, after a disaster. Caseworkers help clients establish a recovery plan and connect them with community resources. Skills: Customer service, communication, compassion and writing. Computer skills a plus. Must be 18 or older and pass a background check. Information: 888-684-1441, [email protected].

Money STRONG Program: Volunteer financial coaches needed to help people meet their financial goals. Free program offers confidential financial coaching. Coaches work one-on-one with participants to define their financial goals and develop an action plan. Time: One hour per week for six months. Information: Katie Willett, [email protected], 812-418-4930.

*Thrive Alliance: Needs volunteer course marshals stationed at various locations to ensure all runners are safe, make the correct turns and cheer them on for the Thrive Alliance/JCB 5K Run and Walk on April 9. Time: 7 to 10 a.m. Information: Vickie Bateman, [email protected], 812-372-6918.

Celebrate U at FFY: Volunteers needed for set-up, tear down, registration and break-out session facilitators for the conference for fourth- through eighth-grade girls. Time: 12:30 to 4:30 p.m. April 16. Information: [email protected], 812-348-4558, ext. 207.

Kids’ Night Out for BBBS Littles at FFY: Volunteers needed to assist with various Big Brothers Big Sisters activities and tear down. Must pass a background check and screening prior to volunteering. Time: 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 13. Information: [email protected], 812-348-4558, ext. 207.

FFY 5K: Seeks volunteer running buddies and registration and pre-race activities helpers for the FFY 5K. Time: Two to four hours May 21. Information: [email protected], 812-348-4558, ext. 207.

*United Way Day of Caring: Helpers needed to assist in communitywide cleanup of neighborhoods and local businesses. Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 24. Information: Joy King, [email protected].

World AIDS Day: Needs volunteer knitters to raise AIDS awareness by creating and donating red scarves to be tied around town on the event day and then given to those who need them afterward. This is in support of the Granny Connection and for World AIDS Day. Finished scarves can be placed in the designated box at Mill Race Center by Dec. 1. Information: Ann Jones, 812-342-4680, [email protected].

Bartholomew County Historical Society: Volunteers needed to help make costume patterns, sewing simple projects, pressing and related efforts. No experience necessary. Must pass a background check. Time: Two to three hours per week Wednesday through Friday. Where: Haw Creek Heritage Center, 111 Aiken St., Hope. Information: 812-372-3541.

*Bartholomew County Humane Society: Needs volunteers for animal feeding, cleaning and other tasks, as well as foster homes for special needs or recovering animals. Information: 812-372-6063, [email protected].

*Columbus Bike Co-Op: Needs volunteers of all skill levels to help Earn-a-Bike participants build bikes, help customers with repairs and fix shop bikes. Time: Three hours per month on either Sundays, Thursdays or Tuesdays. Information: Cheryl Wright at [email protected], 812-447-3941.

Columbus Regional Health: Volunteers needed for gift shop, information desk, reception and patient care areas. Information: Volunteer opportunities in Foundation and Community link on crh.org. Information: Mary Campbell at 812-376-5305, [email protected].

Community Animal Rescue Effort: Needs volunteers to provide in-home care for dogs and/or cats in need until adopted by new owners. All veterinary care is paid by CARE Food and litter may be provided. Information: [email protected].

*Developmental Services Inc.: Needs help with general office work, a weekly cooking class and performing arts. Information: Adam Simmons, [email protected], 812-376-9404.

*Engage Columbus: Needs outgoing volunteers at the new center. Foreign language skills and other cultures are a plus. Time: Two- to four-hour shifts Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Information: Shama Padalkar, 812-447-9969 or [email protected]. Also needs volunteers at the monthly International Tea event for set-up, clean-up and welcoming. Other opportunities are available. Time: Last Wednesday of each month. Information: Shama Padalkar, [email protected]

Horizon House: Needs help sorting, stocking, child sitting, light maintenance and other tasks. Information: Dana Gunter, Michele Lee, 812-799-1062, 812-372-8407.

Mill Race Center: Needs volunteer drivers to pick up patients at their homes and bring them to doctor appointments. Must use your own vehicles and be available for three-hour shifts. Information: Dan Mustard, [email protected].

*Orphan Grain Train: Needs volunteers to help unload and sort donated items for in-need families at the new Jonesville warehouse. Time: 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday through Thursday. Information: Gene Ernst, [email protected].

*Sans Souci: Needs help hanging clothes, sorting donations and stocking shelves at the agency’s local thrift store. Time: During open hours Monday through Saturday. Information: Logan Richard, 812-372-3419, [email protected].

Turning Point: Volunteers for 90-minute weekly childcare and handymen in repairing and maintaining items in the shelter. Information: Anne Courtney, 812-379-9844. ext. 107, [email protected].

Advocates for Children: Needs Court-Appointed Special Advocate volunteers for case work and court case preparation. Time: 10 to 15 hours per month. Must be 21 or older and have a passion serving children. Information: Rick Scalf, 812-372-2808, ext. 3312, [email protected].

Boy Scouts of America: Needs helpers for tasks involving program development, operations, fundraising and membership. Information: Jon Ochletree, 812-336-6809, [email protected].

Community Education Coalition: Needs volunteer mentors to partner with guidance office staff to support Latino students in completing high school successfully and assist students and their families to understand and support the college-entry process. Must complete an application and pass a background check. Information: Luz Michel, 812-314-8636, [email protected].

Family Service: Needs helpers to crochet or knit purple hats for families of the Caring Parents program at Columbus Regional Hospital. Information: Arriann Custer, [email protected], 812-314-2319.

FFY Healthy Habits Cooking Instruction: Seeks volunteers who are passionate and skilled at cooking to instruct club members in safe and healthy cooking habits. They will lead a class of 10 to 20 children, ages 5 to 14. Must be knowledgeable about culinary processes, work effectively with children and pass a background check. Time: Two to four hours per week on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays. Information: [email protected], 812-348-4558, ext. 207.

*iGrad: Needs mentors and tutors for eighth- through 12th-grade students. Must complete an application, pass background check, complete an interview and basic orientation/training with iGrad. Information: Jennifer Ryan, [email protected].

*McDowell Education Center: Needs tutors to work with struggling adult readers. High school students are welcome and there is a need for math, science and English language tutors. Information: Michelle Newland, 812-376-4451, [email protected].

FFY Girls on the Run and Trailblazer: Volunteer coaches and assistants needed for Girls on the Run and Trailblazers. The programs inspire youth to be healthy and develop physical and social skills. Must be screened and pass a background check. Time: Two hours twice per week through May 21. Information: [email protected], 812-348-4558, ext. 207.

FFY PAAL Basketball: Volunteer basketball coaches, assistant coaches and scorekeepers needed at FFY. Must be screened and pass a background check. Time: Two hours twice per week through April 22. Information: [email protected], 812-348-4558, ext. 207.

FFY Flag Football: Needs volunteer mentors for flag football at FFY. Must be screened and pass a background check. Time: Two hours twice per week between April 5 and June 3. Information: [email protected], 812-348-4558, ext. 207.

FFY Volleyball: Needs volunteer volleyball coaches, assistant coaches and scorekeepers. Must be screened and pass a background check. Time: Two hours twice per week from April 5 to June 3. Information: [email protected], 812-348-4558, ext. 207.