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

Columnist Beth Estopinal of the United Way of Southeastern Idaho

Each Saturday through Aug. 25 volunteers are needed to work in the Charlotte fire area. Go to seidahovolunteer.orgto sign up.

 RiverFest: Portneuf Greenway’s Riverfest is this Saturday, Aug. 18 at Raymond Park from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. There is a Fun Run/Walk that morning at 10 a.m. and volunteers are needed. Call Linda Engle at 406-7633 to pitch in. Cost for this event is $20/person or $60 for a group of four; add $5 if you register Saturday. Strollers and dogs ON LEASHES are welcome!

Lots of opportunities! The Greater Pocatello Senior Center needs volunteers for ongoing projects and day-to-day business. Opportunities include: cleaning tables, wrapping silverware, serving lunch, filling salt/pepper shakers, washing dishes, selling raffle tickets, handing out flyers, helping with our up-coming golf tournament and being a backup bingo caller. Call Marge or Shirley at 233-1212.

School is starting soon: Looking for dependable “grandmas” and “grandpas” 55 and better who love children and learning. Commitment is 15 to 20 hours each week at area schools during the regular school year serving as a positive role model and friend while assisting youth with school work. Contact Lori Murdock with the Foster Grandparent Program at 785-8454, 251-2480 or lori@fgpsei.com.

 Family Services Alliance Crisis Line Volunteer Training: Aug. 21, 22, 28, and 29. Candidates are subject to a background check so please preregister by Aug. 17. Classes are 20 hours followed by 10 hours of shadowing staff. Call 232-0742 for information or stop by the office at 355 S. Arthur to get an application. 

Bingham Crisis Center needs gently used, clean items for their thrift store which has been depleted in preparation for school. The proceeds from the Thrift Store come back to Bingham Crisis Center for direct victim services. All household items and children’s clothing in good condition are welcome with the exception of used mattresses, used pillows, and used underwear. Drop off Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, noon to 6 p.m. Call Jaime at 681-8716 with any questions.

FREE workshop: Marshall Public Library and the Foundation Center will present "Proposal Writing Basics" workshop at the Marshall Public Library on Sept. 6 from 1 to 2:30 p.m. This workshop will be moderated by Scot Ullman of the Foundation Center in San Francisco. Seating is limited so please pre-register at:   http://grantspace.org/Classroom/Training-Calendar/Other-Locations/Proposal-Writing-Basics-2012-09-06-Pocatello-ID.

Dogs need help, too! Bannock Bark Parks is looking for volunteers to help with fundraising, events, and construction as well as in-kind donations of construction materials.Phone 406-3294 to help, or go to their website: bannockbarkparks.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.orgor call 232-1389.