Volunteer Center of Story County: Feb. 9 - Lifestyle - Dallas County News

The Volunteer Center of Story County connects people of all ages with volunteer opportunities, promotes volunteering and recognizes volunteers. For additional information, a more complete list of volunteer opportunities, to volunteer, or to list volunteer needs visit www.vcstory.org, call (515) 268-5323, or email volunteer@vcstory.org or visit the office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, at 110 Crystal St, Ames, Iowa 50010.

Heavy Lifting

Friendship Ark, Inc.

Move a few pieces of household furniture at on the Friendship Ark locations.

Social Media and Website Updates

Good Neighbor Emergency Assistance, Inc.

A tech-savvy person (or small team) is needed tow work with the Director of Good Neighbor to create and facilitate an online presence and marketing plan. Duties include: scheduling social media post through various platforms and on the website, creating content with the purpose of education, advocacy, and fundraising, editing blog posts, maintaining an online editorial calendar, and keeping information about the organization correct on Google.

VC Fliers

Volunteer Center of Story County

Want to know about all the great things happening in the community before anyone else? Help the VCSC and other local organizations by distributing event fliers and notices around Story County. The schedule is flexible, involving three to six hours at a time, one or times each month. Weekdays, during working hours (8 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.) availability is preferred, but this position also includes some weekend and early evening on weekday options. A list of places to post the fliers is provided. Volunteer must have access to reliable transportation, throughout Story County. All volunteers who provide their own vehicles are required to carry full-coverage auto insurance and have a current driver’s license.

Sterile Processing Department Support

Mary Greeley Medical Center

The Sterile Processing Department ensures that the Operating Department has sterile equipment to use during surgeries. Volunteers assist with preparing linens used in Obstetrics and the Operating Room, restock workroom workstations, and minor cleaning. A weekly assignment on Tuesdays for tow hours between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. is available. Volunteer must complete an application, interview and other onboarding requirements.

Weekend Respite Group

ChildServe

Two amazing individuals, over 16 years old, are needed to spend Saturdays and/or Sundays playing, reading books and just having a good time with children between the ages for four to 24.

Bulletin Board Volunteer

Iowa Able Foundation

There is a community bulletin board in the building where Iowa Able Foundation is located. Our organization would like a volunteer change it out on a monthly basis. The volunteer will be able to pick out the themes for each bulletin board. Iowa Able Foundation would also like to take a picture of the volunteer with the bulletin boards to post on the organization Facebook page.

Food Pantry & Doing the Most Good Market Volunteer

The Salvation Army-Story County Iowa

The Salvation Army needs help with our Food Pantry & Doing the Most Good Market from 12:45 to 3:30 p.m. The pantry is open Monday through Thursday and the Market is open Monday through Friday. You can choose one day or multiple days to volunteer. Your role would be to guide guests through the Food Pantry and Doing the Most Good Market to help find healthy options for their families.

Become a YSS Mentor

YSS

The YSS Mentoring Program is unique in the communities we serve, with 20 years of successfully matching children and mentors, creating life-changing, and often life-long relationships. There are currently 90 children in need of a mentor.

Food Pantry

Mid-Iowa Community Action

Volunteers are needed on an ongoing basis to help in the food pantry in Ames, based on volunteer availability. Shifts are available anytime on Monday through Friday, between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m., as volunteers are available. Volunteers greet and assist families coming into the Family Development Center, help stock pantry shelves and maintain the pantry. Volunteers work closely with front office staff. Volunteers serving under the age of 18, must volunteer with an adult. A background check will be conducted with all potential volunteers.

Become a YSS Mentor

YSS

Harrison Barns Reading Academy Literacy Tutors

Raising Readers in Story County

Tutors work one-on-one with a kindergarten through third grade student to encourage literacy growth. Volunteer do no lesson planning and gain experience with the Words Their Way curriculum, work with diverse families, provide individual literacy tutoring, and assist a child with literacy skills. Volunteers serve a 45-minute shift each week. Substitute tutors are also needed.

Early Bird Shelter Assistant

Emergency Residence Project

Volunteers are needed each morning from 6 to 10 a.m. and on weekends from 6 to 9a.m. to assist the shelter coordinator with various tasks like cleaning, getting breakfast ready, vacuuming, paperwork and answering the phone, etc. Training is provided where appropriate. Volunteers must exhibit a non-judgmental and empowering attitude, ensure confidentiality, and provide a welcoming environment to all participants. Effective written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills are a must.

Disaster Action Team (DAT) Responders

American Red Cross, Iowa Region

Every day, the American Red Cross responds to approximately 190 house fires across the county, with the aid of volunteers, the organization is able to respond to the devastation of a house fire within two hours of receiving the call about a family in need. Volunteers are being actively recruited to the Disaster Action Team. Members respond to local disasters within two hours of notification and assist those affected in securing emergency information and meeting immediate needs. DAT members complete paperwork and report accurate data, and may provide referrals to other agencies to satisfy unmet client needs. Full training is provided by the American Red Cross serving Greater Iowa.

Girl Scout Troup Co-Leader

Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa

It takes the determination of one individual to step up and make a difference in girls’ lives with the Girl Scouts of Greater Iowa. Volunteers introduce girls to new experiences that show the girls they are capable of more than they ever imagined. Applicants must register as a volunteer with the Girl Scouts, complete the annual membership fee, and a background check

Receptionist

ACCESS – Assault Care Center Extending Shelter & Support

Answering business lines, greeting people at the door, filing, and administration assistance. Volunteers are needed Monday through Friday, for four-hour shifts, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 5 p.m., or for eight hours 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Beloit Youth Mentor

Lutheran Services in Iowa, Ames

Youth Mentors develop healthy, trusting relationships with a young person by modeling healthy boundaries and reliability. They provide fun outlets at the campus (or off campus, with special permission) to engage youth in positive activities that empower the young people as they go through treatment and counseling. Mentors often meet with mentees every other week for a couple of hours. Training on trauma-informed care in terms of youth mentoring will be provided.