The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network is offering volunteer opportunities during the holiday season.
Reality Store — Dec. 9
More than 65 volunteers will work at Batchelor Middle School and more than 200 students will participate in a hands-on exercise, which will teach them the importance of budgeting and help them see the impact that their grades can have on their future.
There are three volunteer shifts: 7:30-9:35 a.m. (includes free breakfast), 9:20-11:45 a.m. (includes lunch) and 11:10 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (includes lunch). Volunteers can sign up for one or multiple shifts. The minimum age to volunteer is 18. For more information, contact Jacob Summer at 812-336-6381 or jsummer@chamberbloomington.org.
Bloomington Worldwide Friendship Host
Volunteers can help an international student entering IU by becoming a host through Bloomington Worldwide Friendship, which matches adult volunteers with international students and scholars. This is not a home-stay program but rather a program for events and trips to help someone learn about America. Both individuals and families are welcome to be hosts. Selections are based on shared interests.
The minimum age is 18. For more information, contact Cindy York at 812-333-4729 or bloomingtonworldwidefriendship@gmail.com.
Promote Land Conservation — Sycamore Land Trust
Sycamore Land Trust is in need of volunteers who are available on weekday mornings or afternoons to help with the frequent mailing of event invitations, appeals and notes.
Those interested will be contacted periodically when needed. The minimum age is 16. For more information, contact Jaime Sweany at jaime@sycamorelandtrust.org or 812-336-5382.
Visually Impaired Preschool Services — Indiana (VIPS)
VIPS provides educational opportunities to young children with visual impairments. Volunteer opportunities include office assistance, creating welcome bags for new families, assembling story book boxes for children, making specific items for children as specified by their VIPS teachers, assisting with bulk mailings, yard work and summer camps.
The minimum age is 18. For more information, contact Tana Hellwig at 888-824-2197 or thellwig@vips.org.
Cultural Center Office and Gift Shop Assistants
The Tibetan Mongolian Buddhist Cultural Center promotes the understanding of Tibet and Mongolia by encouraging charitable, educational and cultural activities and promotes the welfare of the Tibetan and Mongolian people and culture. The cultural center is in search for volunteers in the office and gift shop areas.
Office volunteers answer phones, reply to routine questions, give visitors mini-tours of the temple and take overnight room reservations. Volunteers in the gift shop greet visitors and sell their the center’s merchandise. The minimum age is 18. For more information, contact Dhondrup Tsering at 812-336-6807 or dhondrup2010@gmail.com.
Alyson Malinger
