Individual Volunteer Opportunities
The Volunteer Center can link you to hundreds of volunteer opportunities that match your skills, interests and time. For more information, please contact the Volunteer Center at (816) 559-4667. The following highlighted opportunities are ongoing, unless otherwise dated:
APRIL 2013
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The annual Over the Rainbow Auction XXIV Rodeos and Rainbows event will take place on Saturday, April 13. This fun and exciting event benefits children and adults with special needs. Volunteers are needed in a variety of areas including set-up, registration, silent and live auctions and tear down. Individuals and groups are welcome.
Help prepare meals for area youth 10 hours a week. Five volunteers 16 years and older will assist in preparing food for the youth and keep track of the food inventory. Weekday afternoon and weekend morning/afternoon hours are available.
The National Association of Letter Carriers’ annual Stamp Out Hunger day is fast approaching. Groups of 12-25 are needed to prepare bags between now and Wednesday, May 1 for the letter carriers to deliver. This project can be done at Harvesters or at your company/school/faith community. You must make a minimum commitment of 5,000 bags. Supplies can be delivered, along with a speaker, to kick off the project.
The fourth annual Rock the Parkway half marathon and 5K race will take place on Saturday, April 13. Volunteers are needed for several tasks, including handing out packets and t-shirts on Thursday, April 11 and Friday, April 12. Two to three hour shifts are available. Course monitors are also being recruited for race day to guard against traffic on the race course. This is a great opportunity for groups, and students needing community service hours for school, scouting or scholarship applications.
Help the Habitat office in Kansas City, MO run smoothly by volunteering 1-2 times a week at the front desk. Duties include answering phones and basic questions about the Habitat program, and serving as the receptionist. You must be at least 18 years old and available 4-8 hours a week. Weekday and weekend morning and afternoon hours are available.
Niles Home for Children is seeking volunteers to support the Niles Garden this spring and summer. Niles has 28 organic no-till vegetable beds, an orchard with 17 fruit trees, berry bushes, a grape arbor, a nature area and a solar powered waterfall. We teach our kids gardening and understanding of the environment. They stock a weekly vegetable market for staff and neighbors where the kids learn entrepreneurial and team work skills. Beginning this spring, volunteers are needed all throughout the growing season to keep the Niles Garden beautiful. Individuals and teams of volunteers are welcome.
Drivers are currently being recruited to deliver meals to the homebound in Clay County. You must be available 1.5 hours per week from 10:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m., and have a valid driver’s license and car insurance.
Powell Gardens has a 14-passenger tram to help people see and enjoy the Heartland Harvest Garden, and volunteer drivers 18 and older must have a valid driver’s license, a clean driving record and a friendly personality. Daily shifts are available from 10:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. or 1:00 – 4:00 p.m., starting this spring. Volunteers are also still needed to help in the Heartland Harvest Garden, a garden of edible landscape.
Food preparation volunteers are needed at a Midtown food pantry. You must be 16 years old and older, and will assist with food preparation for over 50 people, serve food and clean up the kitchen and dining areas on Wednesdays from 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. A volunteer is also needed once a week Monday, Tuesday, Thursday or Friday mornings to pick up food from Harvesters for the Wednesday meal and food pantry. The chef will accompany the volunteer to Harvesters to select food.
A South Johnson County assisted living facility continues to recruit volunteers 12 and older to visit residents, lead group activities, play board games and other activities. Flexible hours and days are available; great opportunity to earn school-based community service hours.
Hospice and administrative volunteer opportunities are available. Hospice volunteers offer companionship to a patient or caregiver by visiting, playing games and other activities. You can negotiate your time with the patients and their families, daytime hours between 7:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Administrative volunteers will assist with tasks such as filing, mailings and calling patients.
Enjoy working with the senior population? Volunteer opportunities are available to assist with arts & crafts, games, lead events and other activities. This is great opportunity for individuals, groups and youth 12 and older.
Fuel for Life is a new four week program taking place four sessions a year on Tuesdays from 5:30 - 7:00 p.m., starting at the end of April. The classes are for women and will deal with things such as thrifty and healthy living. Dinner and childcare will be provided. Groups of 3-5 people are needed to cook meals and entertain the children.
