Help Feed the Elderly and Disabled

Area 10 Agency on Aging has a food pantry that is in need of volunteers of all kinds.

In order to serve their clientele of over 200 homebound elderly and disabled persons, Area 10 is seeking out regular and substitute delivery drivers to distribute food to homes.

Don't have a car? Don't worry. Area 10 is also in need of shoppers that pick out food for delivery from the local Hoosier Hills Food Bank once a week and callers who can remind clients when their food will be delivered to them.

All of these positions only require a couple of hours each month so even if you're busy, you can still make a difference!

For more information, contact:

Christine McKenna, Volunteer Coordinator of Area 10

You can email her at this website: http://volunteer.united-e-way.org/cobvn/org/email?contact_id=10298707718&opp_id=10277139088

or call Area 10 Agency on Aging at (812) 876-3383

This year marks the 15-year anniversary of the Soup Bowl Benefit in Bloomington. It is an annual event that brings together local artisans who contribute hundreds of handmade pottery bowls, two dozen local restaurants which provide an extraordinary array of delicious soups, a few local bakers that donate hundreds of loaves of bread, live musical entertainment, WFIU's Joe Bourne as emcee, and over 600 attendees. And all the proceeds benefit Hoosier Hills food bank. This year's Soup Bowl takes place on February 15th, and begins at 5:00 pm. They are still in need of volunteers to work various shifts between 2 pm and 8 pm. If you are interested in volunteering to the backdrop of live music and great food, contact:

Kim Kanney, the Hoosier Hills Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator

Her phone number is: 812.334.8374 or Email at: volunteer@hhfoodbank.org

Ladies: is softball your game of choice? If so, we have just the volunteer opportunity for you. Bloomington Girl's Fastpitch Softball Season is quickly approaching and they are in need of coaches. The league is set up for (and coaches are needed for) every skill set and for girls ages 5-15 years old. So if you're looking for a way to get back involved in softball, here is your chance!

Coaches would step in as a season-long coach and teach the game of fastpitch softball. They would plan practices by integrating various drills and prepare their team for game competition.

The sign-up deadline is: Friday, March 13 and prospective coaches are expected to attend one informational meeting. Either:

Wednesday, March 18, 6 p.m. or

Thursday, March 19, 6 p.m.

Coaches will be chosen by Wednesday, March 25.

And your team's practices begin the week of March 30.

This is an excellent opportunity to be a positive mentor for young girls and to share your love and knowledge of softball with them.

For more information email:

ecenbark@bloomington.in.gov

A DAY ON! NOT A DAY OFF!

Monday January 19th is Martin Luther King Jr. Day. As students, we all have the day off classes, but there is still a lot to do that day and a lot to celebrate. There are over 60 projects going on all over Bloomington on the 19th and that means plenty of opportunities to volunteer!

If you would like to find out how/where you can volunteer on Monday, please go to www.bloomington.in.gov/mlk for information about this year's day of service and birthday celebration.

If you can't get to the website, or want more information, please contact Craig Brenner at (812) 349-3471 or email him at brennerc@bloomington.in.gov

Salvation Army Needs Volunteers!

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities over the holidays, you are in luck! The Salvation Army is looking for a lot of volunteers for a lot of different activities. Below are the activities, their days and times, and a small description. If you are interested in any of these activities please feel free to contact:

Peter Iversen

Community Relations & Volunteer Coordinator

Salvation Army of Monroe County

http://bloomington.salvationarmyindiana.org

812-336-4310 ext. 12

Peter_Iversen@usc.salvationarmy.org

or email honorvol@indiana.edu

This is a great way to get involved in the Bloomington community and assist those who could use a little extra help this holiday season!

Also you can bring your friends and have a great time volunteering together!

Opportunities:

1. After School Volunteers: M-F 3:30-5:30

-Help younger students and children

-Play games, make crafts, help with learning stations and help with homework

2. Toy Shop Distribution December 22-23 Times Vary

-Help take donated presents from the Angel Tree and the Toys for Tots drives to the families receiving the donations

-Help make Christmas possible for many many families

3. Toy Shop Setup November 17-December 19 Times Vary

-Help organize toys and donations from the Bloomington community!

-Have a hand in getting all the little angels the toys they deserve!

4. Red Kettle Bellringer November 21-December 24; 2 hours shifts begin at 10am and end at 9pm

-Sign up online: https://web.volunteer2.com/Public/Signup/SignupDecide.aspx?OrganizationGUID=aff17462-1fd7-4279-b6ac-cfcc4f3ca3be

-You (and your group of friends if you'd like) can raise a lot of money for the Salvation Army simply by standing outside a store and ringing that bell.

-You can dress up, be really loud, and help make the holidays possible for some Bloomington families!

-Kettles are provided and all you (and your posse) have to do is show up!

5. Host a Counter Kettle All year round

-If you know anyone that owns a business or runs a business and wants to help out, they can simply put a kettle on their counter (provided by the Salvation Army) and raise money for those in need!

-Talk to your bosses today.

6. Stuff-a-Bus Thur, Fri, Sat, Sun. December 4-7 and December 11-14

-Volunteers are needed to help guard the bus as it is filled with toys and donations at local area stores.

-Salvation Army parks the bus outside a local store (Target, Walmart, etc.) and as people go inside to shop, they can be reminded to buy an extra item or two (or three) to donate to the Salvation Army.

-Volunteers are needed to stay with the bus to make sure that items are only added to the bus and not removed as well.

-Once the bus is stuffed, it also needs to be unloaded at the Salvation Army. Assistance is needed with this as well!

If you have any interest in helping the Salvation Army with any of the previous activities, again please contact Peter Iversen. Remember that most of these volunteer activities only require a couple of hours, but in that short time you are making the holidays possible for many Bloomington families!

Bloomington Youth Basketball Coaches

Bloomington Youth Basketball – Season 2
January 10-April 4

This league focuses on building self-esteem, teamwork and developing the basic fundamentals of basketball. Season includes weekly practices and games on Fridays or Saturdays. The season concludes with an honors banquet. Join us for the satisfaction of playing in a fun and positive setting where everyone plays and is a winner.

Duties: We are looking for coaches who can commit to once-or twice-weekly practices and one game per weekend. Volunteer coaches will enjoy making a difference in the lives of kids and can help develop our next big IU basketball star. (We suggest two coaches per team.)

Timeline:
Prospective coaches must be signed up by Friday, December 5 and attend one of the following information sessions:
Wednesday, December 10 / 6 p.m.
Thursday, December 11 / 6 p.m.

Coach selection process completed by Wednesday, January 7.
Coaches Training is mandatory Saturday, January 17, 10 a.m. – Noon.

Program Time: Coaches will be assigned one or two one-hour practices per week and one, one-
hour game per weekend.

Location: City of Bloomington Banneker Community Center, 930 W. Seventh St.

Age of Volunteers: 18 yrs. and up
Number of Volunteers: 40
Volunteers should agree to stay for the entire season.

Classroom Assistant

Monroe County United Ministries is looking for a classroom assistant for their preschool class.

Activities include arts and crafts, reading aloud, teaching math skills or planning games!

Contact Tina at (812) 339-3429 if you are interested!