Volunteer! for July 1, 2012

Volunteer opportunities, provided by Volunteer! United (formerly Volunteer! Baton Rouge), are outlined in this column every Sunday. To learn more about these opportunities, contact the listed agency.

LOVE WORKING WITH ANIMALS? Ascension Parish Animal Welfare Society — Jeanette Benedetto or Natalie Smith, [phone] or [e-mail]: Volunteers are needed for adoption day / fundraising events. Adoption days are held at PetSmart on Siegen Lane every Saturday (except holiday weekends) from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. APAWS will work with volunteers to schedule shifts that fit with their availability. Adoption day help includes setting up and breaking down of kennels, tables, chairs and promotional materials; talking to people about adoption and the importance of spaying and neutering; and helping to make animals comfortable and happy throughout the day. Weekly training is offered for all new volunteers. Most fundraisers are also on Saturdays at the same time. Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Contact Benedetto or Smith for more information, or visit the website, http://www.apawspets.org, and Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/apaws for updates and event announcements.

WANT TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE LIVES OF OTHERS? Hospice Compassus — Melissa Cothern, [phone] or [e-mail]: Hospice Compassus is seeking volunteers for activities to help with the events hosted in numerous nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in Baton Rouge and surrounding areas. Activities may include things such as bingo, crafts, manicures, birthday parties, scrap booking, etc. This is a great opportunity for students to get their service hours. Volunteers are required to have a background check, provide their own transportation, and go through a free orientation process. Contact Cothern for more information.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES, Restoring Hearts Outreach Center — Attlah Burrell, [phone]: Volunteers are needed to assist with RHOC’s 2nd annual Back-to-School Community Rally from noon to 2:30 p.m. July 21, at the BREC Center, 7505 Independence Park. There will be a mandatory meeting for all volunteers from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. July 12, at the center, 1821 Wooddale Court, Suite 210. If interested, contact Burrell.

VOLUNTEER NEEDED, St. Vincent de Paul — Rosie Martina, [phone]: A volunteer with a truck or SUV is needed to pick up produce and sweets from local grocery stores weekly. The shift is in the morning. If interested, contact Martina.

LOVE PLAYING BINGO? Affinity Nursing and Rehabilitation Center — Tonnisha Ellis, [phone] or [e-mail]: Volunteers are needed every weekend on Saturday and Sunday to call bingo with residents. The game usually lasts one hour. Times are flexible. If interested, call Ellis.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY, Old State Capitol — Susan Vincent, [phone] or [e-mail] and Charlotte Wall at [phone] or [e-mail]: Every day the Old State Capitol hosts visitors from near and far, schoolchildren and dignitaries. Friendly and enthusiastic people are needed as volunteers and docents to inform visitors about this beautiful building, its colorful people and stories as well as its architecture and place in Louisiana’s political history. Contact Vincent or Wall about schedules and training sessions. The OSC is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.