Your weekly guide to area volunteer and in-kind giving opportunities

Columnist Beth Estopinal of the United Way of Southeastern Idaho

Silver bells: On Nov. 19 The Salvation Army begins their Red Kettle Project and bell ringers are needed. Shifts are 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., or 4 to 9 p.m. Please contact June at june.mcarthur@usw.salvationarmy.org or call 232-5318 to help. (Youth under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.) Also, applications for Secret Santa and food boxes are being accepted now. For more information call and ask for Brenda Ames.

The AARP Tax Aide Program is in need of volunteers to become tax preparers. Computers and training provided. In Blackfoot call Harrison Gerstlauer: 680-0021; In Pocatello - John Van Horn: 221-5646, or Chuck Humphrey: 241-7499; and in Ft. Hall call Tino Batt: 251-2865. They also need a volunteer technology coordinator. Call John St. Vincent at 478-2240 to volunteer.

Share your life experiences:SEICAA Youth Mentoring has children in need of positive adult role models. Interested individuals over 18 years of age will receive training, fingerprint background checks at agency expense, and ongoing support and training.  If you have learned and survived the lessons of life you are the one we are looking for to share your experience with a child in need! Call Ronda at 232-1114 Ext. 141.

Retired? Caringvolunteers needed to spend up to 20 hours per week at area elementary schools serving as tutors and mentors, ESPECIALLY in the American Falls and Montpelier areas. Volunteers may qualify for a tax-free stipend for their service. Contact Lori at the Foster Grandparent Program: 785-8454, 251-2480 or lori@fgpsei.com.

Group project ideas: Gateway Habitat for Humanity ReStore needs several crews to reorganize their store. Prefer groups of six to 10 and will work around your schedule. Call the store manager, Ben LaBarge at 241-4346. Anyone interested in working on our project home, please call Brenda Pollard at 233-3543.

Opportunity to show off your cooking skills! The Blackfoot Community Center is looking for a volunteer to prepare and serve family-style lunches for our early childhood program. If you are interested in helping children learn healthy habits and in sharing your love of cooking while truly making a difference, this opportunity is for you! Call Ashlee Howell at 785-3121 or e-mail ashleehowell@hotmail.com.

Be a volunteer ambassador: The Children's Museum is looking for dedicated volunteers to host open museum hours. Shifts are Monday through Wednesday, 9 a.m. to noon. If you are interested, please send an e-mail with resume and references to Ashlee at thecenter@cableone.net(A stipend for volunteering is available for seniors who qualify through Foster Grandparents.)

Margaret Ganyo, Robin Nelson, and Beth Estopinal staff the United Way of Southeastern Idaho and encourage you to search for more opportunities at www.seidahovolunteer.org. To list volunteer opportunities or to request or offer in-kind donations, please go to the website, send an e-mail to beth@unitedwaysei.orgor call 232-1389.