TEACH KIDS HOW TO SWIM\nFor those who plan on staying in town over spring break, the YMCA's SPLASH Learn to Swim Program will be needing swim instructors for a one-week intensive class that will be held from March 15 through 19. No CPR or life guarding certificates are necessary because the lesson plans will be very basic, but some teaching experience is preferred. There will be two sessions everyday, from 9 to 11 a.m. and from 5 to 7 p.m. The minimum age requirement is 12. \nTo volunteer or for more details, contact Sara Herold at 332-5555, ext. 235 or send an e-mail to sherold@monroecountyymca.org.
WORK WITH ANIMALS\nThe Bloomington Animal Care and Control Shelter needs volunteers from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help walk dogs, take care of cats, clean cages, feed animals, work at the front office, greet visitors and socialize the animals. Volunteer Program Director Kathy Obrakta said socializing the animals is very important because it gets the animals ready for adoption. Opportunities for volunteers at the shelter will be increasing because the shelter is getting ready to expand its facilities to add a separate adoption center. For volunteers with a more serious interest in working with animals, non-paid internship opportunities are also available at the shelter.\nTo get involved or for more information, contact Kathy Obrakta at 349-3492, ext. 6 or at kobrakta@bloomington.in.gov.
CARE FOR CHILDREN\nVolunteers are needed to work with kids ranging from 6 years old to babies as young as 6 weeks at the Bloomington Developmental Learning Center. The BDLC needs volunteers to read to and play with the children, rock babies and work in the front office. Executive Director Veda Stanfield said the Center does not require any former teaching experience or training but does perform background checks and requires TB testing, an interview and orientation before working with the children. Volunteers are needed from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. and from 2:30 to 6 p.m. \nFor details or to volunteer, contact Veda Stanfield at 336-6600 or at veda@kiva.net.
FEED THE COMMUNITY\nVolunteers at least 18 years of age are needed to help cook, serve and clean at the Shalom Community Center, a daytime operation that provides breakfast and lunch to its patrons. There are four shifts running from 9 to 11 a.m., 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1 to 2 p.m. and 2 to 4 p.m. An annual 5k walk for the homeless, The Homeward Bound walk, which is to take place April 18, needs logo designers and donors as well as walk participants.\nTo volunteer or find more opportunities at the Center, contact Donna Jaques at 334-5728 or at shalomdonna@yahoo.com, or visit the Center's Web site at www.bloomington.in.us/~shalom/.
To see a complete listing of ongoing volunteer opportunities, visit the Bloomington Volunteer Network's Web site at www.VolunteerBloomington.org or contact volunteer@city.bloomington.in.us and get involved today. \n-- Contact staff writer Kye Lee at kyelee@indiana.edu.
