Local volunteer agencies need students to help with homeless projects, nursing homes and animal care. Each week the Indiana Daily Student focuses on different service opportunities in the community.
Take Part in INPIRG's\nHunger Cleanup\nThe Indiana Public Interest Research Group will need 150 volunteers to help raise money and take part in three-hour community service projects. Community service projects will include painting local shelters, planting community gardens and repairing and cleaning food banks. INPIRG's campaign coordinator of hunger and homelessness Jesse Worker said the group will be recruiting at the Indiana Memorial Union and Ballantine Hall for the next two weeks. The service project itself will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 3. The minimum age to volunteer is 13. \nFor more information, contact Jesse Worker at 856-4128 or send an e-mail to worker@indiana.edu
Franklin Middle School Reality Store seeking volunteers\nThe Franklin Initiative sponsors an educational program for eighth graders throughout Monroe County every year. The "reality store" is a simulation of everyday responsibilities and chores adults deal with. Volunteers are needed to run different information tables during the program. Franklin Initiative director Enid Richards said the program tries to instill the understanding that the students' education is important to getting a good occupation with a good salary in the future. Bachelor Middle School will be holding its annual reality store in late April and needs volunteers between 11:45 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.\nFor more information, contact Enid Richards at 336-6381 or send an e-mail to erichard@chamber.bloomington.in.us
Attention Pet Owners and Lovers\nDelta Society Pet Partners, a national organization that registers therapy dog teams, is looking for volunteers to visit nursing homes, hospitals and schools with trained animals. The organization promotes human-animal bonds and provides opportunities for people and animals to come together. The Monroe County Humane Association's education program director Sarah DeLone said the positive psychological and physical benefits of having contact with friendly animals is especially needed in nursing homes and hospitals. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult. Orientation for volunteers will be March 24, training will be provided April 3 and a skills and aptitude test will be given April 4. Attendance is mandatory at all three. \nTo volunteer or to get more information, contact Sarah DeLone at 335-9453 or send an e-mail to educate@bluemarble.net
Work with Exotic Felines\nThe Exotic Feline Rescue Center shelters lions, tigers, leopards and cougars that need care and assistance. The Center's director, Joe Taft, said volunteers are needed to help with tours, cleaning cages, feeding the animals, fundraising and miscellaneous office work. There is a minimum commitment of two days a month and volunteers should have transportation to the Rescue Center, which is located in Center Point, Indiana (about a 45-minute drive from Bloomington). \nFor more information, contact Joe Taft at 835-1130 or send an e-mail to efrc@claynet.com\n-- Contact staff writer Kye Lee at kyelee@indiana.edu.
