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

By Beth Estopinal

United Way of Southeastern Idaho

Groups needed to prep the zoo for opening: The Pocatello Zoo needs volunteer groups (16 years and older) to help clean up around the Pocatello Zoo before it opens April 20 (weekends) and May 1 (daily). Work can be done Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. until 3:30 p.m., and perhaps some weekends, same hours. The work involves raking up leaves and debris on the grounds, cleaning out planted areas, removing dead limbs and shrubs, sweeping and shoveling. If weather allows, there will be some painting projects available. Volunteers should bring work gloves and garden tools, such as leaf rakes, garden tine rakes, wheel barrows (we have a few), a few scoop or square-nosed shovels, etc. Contact person is Scott Ransom: 234-6264 (cell. 705-5759).

Urban Invasion! SEICAA, Old Town Pocatello, and Muse are excited to bring the first ever urban 5k event to Downtown Pocatello on April 27 but they need about 25 volunteers from 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Volunteers will be placed on the course to guide runners, help with registration, clean-up and help if a business doesn't have enough people to staff their obstacle. Please call Lynette at 232-1114 x113 or meet her at the Old Town Pavilion that morning.

Caring mentors wanted: Eight more volunteer mentors are needed to help Pre-K and elementary students 15–20 hours each school week for the remainder of the school year. You will be assigned close to home. Volunteers must be able to pass a background check, paid for by the program. Contact Lori Murdock: 785-8454 or lori@fgpsei.com.

10th anniversary - Idaho Field of Heroes: The field will be constructed from May 20 to 23 and volunteers are needed to help. It will then be dedicated and open to the public for viewing from May 24 through 27. For more information you can visit their website at idahofieldofheroes.org or contact Hiedi Young at 208-608-3888 or Melissa Hartman at 208-282-4245. Please “Like” their page at Facebook https://www.facebook.com/IdahoFieldOfHeroes

Blackfoot Community Center has several volunteer projects at the moment:

• Help one or two days a week with filing, data entry, and/or teacher prep projects- youth are encouraged to volunteer too!

• Help complete some great paper crafting projects and put your crafty talents to use for a good cause! These can even be done at home.  

• Build shelves and cubbies, benches, a small stage, and more!

• Help is needed to mentor youth & read with young children. 

(Volunteers are required to pass a background check- we will reimburse for cleared background checks for volunteers). Contact: Madalyn Smith 785-8022 or madalynsmith@live.com

Portneuf Valley Paintfest: Portneuf Valley Paintfest paints the homes (outside) of seniors in need in the Pocatello/Chubbuck community. We are looking for teams from various organizations to help with our project. Your group needs a team of five or more people. We will paint during the week of June 24 through the 29 and times are at your convenience throughout the day. Contact Cathy McPherson at Mcphcath@isu.edu or 282-2447.

In-kind donations needed: 

• SEICAA Oneida County is looking for a used refrigerator for a client in Malad. It would need to be free (preferably) or extremely inexpensive and they are limited on pick-up and delivery options since the client does not have a truck. Contact Julie at 208-766-2737 to help.

• Here to help! SICOG has and/or is looking for used assistive technology items such as wheelchairs, scooters, walkers, canes, grab bars, shower chairs, or items for vision and hearing impairments. Also, any personal care items. If you would like more information or want to donate or locate an item, please call Sandy Guidinger at the Area Agency on Aging at 233-4032 X16.

• Donations of new or gently used business clothing for ISU Veteran’s Sanctuary. These items are for vets who are going to job interviews and need professional clothing. Call 282-4245 for more information.

Search for more opportunities at www.seidahovolunteer.org

 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.org or call 232-1389.