Volunteer Opportunities

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 directly.

VOLUNTEER TO HELP IN THE WAKE OF HURRICANE ISAAC. Capital Area United Way — Kristin Menson, [phone]: There are opportunities and needs for volunteers to support recovery in various areas. Individuals looking to volunteer should register online through Volunteer Louisiana (http://volunteerlouisiana.org). Once registered in an area of interest, the registrant will receive updates and will be contacted by the volunteer action center in the area of which they registered to serve. For more information, contact Menson.

LOOKING FOR FOOD PANTRY VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES? HOPE Ministries — Ruth Admal, [phone], ext. 33, or [e-mail]: HOPE Ministries, one of the largest distribution points for the Greater Baton Rouge Food Bank in the 70805 zip code area which has the largest concentration of poverty in East Baton Rouge Parish, needs help. Volunteers are needed for client intake and the food pantry from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays and for Food Bank deliveries and pantry stocking from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursdays. This is an opportunity to make a direct impact on the community for both individual and group volunteers. Volunteers are required to submit to a background check and provide their own transportation. Contact Admal for more information.

VOLUNTEER AT THE ZOO! BREC’s Baton Rouge Zoo — Ashleigh Duet, [e-mail]: Help out at a merry not scary trick-or-treat. BREC is looking for volunteers for all shifts at the event to be held Oct. 20, 21, 27 and 28. Shifts on both Saturday and Sunday will run from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., noon to 3:30 p.m. and 3 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. If interested in helping out your community and BRECs Baton Rouge Zoo, contact Duet.

DO YOU LIKE SHARING OR TEACHING? The American Red Cross — Barbara Bourgeois, [phone] or [e-mail]: Volunteers are needed to work with the community outreach program to help our neighbors learn how to prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Volunteers will be trained to share preparedness education information at community health fairs and presentations to faith-based groups, senior groups, organizations and the general public. To learn more about this rewarding and fun experience, contact Bourgeois.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, LA. BRIDES AGAINST BREAST CANCER — Joe Marra, 1-877-721-4673 or [e-mail]: The Brides Against Breast Cancer Nationwide Tour of Gowns is returning to Baton Rouge on Sept. 15-16 and needs help. Volunteers are needed to assist with brides finding their dream gown, registration, greeting, setup and breakdown. Shifts start 30 minutes prior to show opening, durations and 30 minutes after the show. Sign up by visiting the website at http://babcbattonrougelavolunteer2012.eventbrite.com/ or contacting Marra for more information.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED, Louisiana Art & Science Museum — Katie Thompson, [phone] or [e-mail]: LASM’s developmental department needs clerical assistance during normal operating hours, between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Volunteers are needed for clerical assistance in the museum’s business office approximately four to six hours each week with the possibility of two-hour shifts. Help is also needed with database entry, mailing and copying for ongoing projects such as, but not limited to, LASM’s annual fundraiser, membership database entries and mailings, art and science events, and grants. Contact Thompson for more information.