Volunteer opportunities

To sign up for one of these opportunities or for more information on volunteering in Kansas City, call 816-559-4667 or visit www.volunteerkc.org or www.unitedwaygkc.org.

• The complete 2008 Holiday Giving and Volunteering Guide is posted on the United Way of Greater Kansas City website, www.unitedway.org. Click Volunteer and select Resource Guides, to give you ideas on ways you can live united this season. Many volunteer managers still need volunteers to help with preparing food baskets, stocking holiday stores and serving meals. Items such as non-perishable food, towels and personal hygiene products are needed for holiday baskets and holiday store shopping items at client-based agencies and organizations across the city.
• A Kansas City area museum dedicated to agriculture is currently looking for volunteers to assist with their annual Santa's Express event for area families and children.
• Agency monitor volunteers are needed at Kansas City’s area food bank. These volunteers will be inspecting agencies to ensure they meet standards for safe food handling and other regulatory compliance. The organization will provide a three-day training course covering safe food handling and agency orientation. Volunteers should be able to commit a half-day per week. Mileage reimbursement is provided.
• Interested in spreading the importance of reading? A Friends Group of an education-based organization is seeking volunteers to join the speaker’s bureau. You can help by going out into the community and sharing their mission. You can also help by hosting a Friends’ house party to help recruit new volunteers.
• Looking to make a difference in the New Year? Volunteers are needed to mentor and tutor children in Kansas City area schools through a mentoring organization. Just one hour a week with a caring adult can make a world of positive difference in the life of a child. They will provide training to all mentors and tutors.
• One of the area’s Habitat for Humanity affiliates needs 200 volunteers to demolish the 80 suites at Arrowhead Stadium on Dec. 22 and 23. The furniture, small appliances and fixtures removed from the suite will be resold at their ReStore, allowing them to build houses in their five-county service area in 2009. ATV, semi-trucks and food donations are also being accepted for Operation Arrowhead. This is great group project!