Get involved: Summer volunteer opportunities

BLOOMINGTON ANIMAL SHELTER
The city animal shelter is currently looking for people to help out weekday mornings. Volunteers can also be foster families for animals that have special needs.

To get involved, visit www.bloomington.in.gov and click on Government > Public Works and Utilities > Animal Care and Control.

MONROE COUNTY SPECIAL OLYMPICS
Volunteers are asked to commit two hours per week to helping out children and adults with intellectual disabilities in sports training for a variety of sporting events. Must be 18 years or older. Sports include golf, basketball, track and field, bowling and softball.

To get involved, email volunteer@soimc.org.

HILLTOP GARDEN AND NATURE CENTER
Volunteers are needed to donate their time to maintaining one of the sections of the Hilltop Garden. Volunteers are responsible for weeding, maintaining, collecting seeds and dividing bulbs in their designated section. Instructions will be provided, but after that scheduling is up to the volunteers. Groups are encouraged.

To get involved, call 812-855-8808 or email hilltop@indiana.edu.

MONROE COUNTY CASA
Long-term volunteers who are older than 21 years of age are needed to be Court Appointed Special Advocates for children in Monroe County. The Monroe County CASA program provides advocacy for abused and neglected children. Volunteers work with a court to determine the best outcome for children in these situations. Volunteers are also needed to perform basic office tasks and to help out at special events.

To get involved, visit www.monroecountycasa.org.

MIDDLE WAY HOUSE
There are a variety of ways you can help out this organization that provides services to women and children who are victims of domestic abuse. Volunteers can help with child care, answer the crisis phone line, provide tutoring to youth living at the Middle Way house and help sort donations. Volunteers are required to attend an eight-hour domestic violence training session.

To get involved call 812-337-4510.

ADOPT A TRAIL
There are more than 30 miles of trails managed by Bloomington’s Parks and Recreation Department that need maintenance and inspection. Volunteers pick a trail to adopt and check it at least once per month at their leisure. They are asked to complete maintenance reports on the trail and to volunteer to help maintain the trail when needed. Volunteers are required to attend a training session.

To get involved, call Kim Ecenbarger at 812-349-3739.

HOOSIER HILLS FOOD BANK
Volunteers quality check produce and pack food for distribution to non-profit organizations that help provide food to the hungry. Volunteers can help grow food in the garden, provide assistance in the office.

To get involved, call Kai Westerfield at 812-334-8374 or send an email to volunteer@hhfoodbank.org.