How to Volunteer in the Shoals

PAWS (Pets are Worth Saving)  is dedicated to providing assistance to abandoned and abused pets in northwest Alabama. Through collaboration with other animal welfare organizations and shelters, PAWS seeks to implement innovative programs that will provide foster homes and promote adoptions. The organization also supports spay/neuter and other educational programs designed to teach citizens how to humanely care for their pets. PAWS’ foster-care network needs volunteers to provide short-term, in-home care for friendly dogs and cats until they are adopted. All veterinary care is paid. www.shoalspaws.com or 383-0690

Northwest-Shoals Community College’s Adult Education Program  is seeking volunteers to help adult learners, prepare for the GED, learn/strengthen reading skills, improve academic skills and study English as a second language. Volunteers are needed in both day and night classes. 331-5440

The Coast Guard Auxiliary  is looking for members to become instructors for recreational boating safety public education and to become vessel safety examiners. No experience required. The auxiliary will provide training. 767-0546

VOCAL (Victims of Crime and Leniency)  is a nonprofit organization established for the purpose of improving the quality of justice for victims of crime. Volunteers are needed for victims’ assistance, victims’ advocacy and education and public awareness programs. Anyone who is a victim, a family member of a victim or an interested party of a victim is invited to attend VOCAL meetings. 757-6149, evenings

The Healing Place  provides ongoing grief support for children (ages 3-19) and adults who have suffered the loss of a loved one by death because of an accident, illness, suicide or homicide. Support also is available for children whose loved one is seriously ill. There is no charge for the service. Volunteers are needed to assist with the children’s groups. The minimum commitment is two hours quarterly. Training available. 383-7133 or www.thehealingplaceinfo.org

Florence-Lauderdale County Emergency Management Agency’s Search and Rescue Team  is looking for volunteers to assist with water safety, storm spotting, community activities, searching for missing people and response and recovery during times of disaster. Applications are available 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, EMA office, basement of Florence City Hall. 760-6363

Rape Response  is a nonprofit agency dedicated to helping victims of sexual assault. Volunteers older than 25 are needed to answer crisis calls and accompany victims to local hospitals. Volunteers are trained extensively. 765-0025

The American Cancer Society  is seeking cosmetologists, skin-care and make-up specialists to volunteer their services in helping women undergoing cancer treatments through a program called “Look Good … Feel Better.” The program is offered as a partnership of the American Cancer Society, The Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association Foundation and the National Cosmetology Association. The program teaches women hands-on techniques to help restore their appearance and self-image during treatment. 767-0825

The American Cancer Society’s Road to Recovery  program needs volunteer drivers who can provide essential service to their neighbors in Shoals communities. Volunteers must own a car and possess safe driving skills. 767-0825

Rolling Riders  is a therapeutic horseback-riding program for children and young adults with disabilities. Each rider needs three volunteers to assist during the weekly session. Volunteers require only a sense of safety and desire to work with children with special needs. Nancy Squires or Dee Musselman, 740-8296

The NACOLG SeniorRx Prescription Program  assists low-income elderly complete necessary paperwork to qualify for free or low-cost life-sustaining medication. Volunteers needed to copy, file, do data entry and answer phones in the Florence, Phil-Campbell and Haleyville offices. (800) 243-5463 or 389-0532

Hospice of the Shoals  is a nonprofit organization caring for terminally ill patients in their homes in Colbert, Franklin and Lauderdale counties. Volunteers are needed to do errands, light housework and provide companionship to patients and their families. 767-6699

The Shoals Chapter, Alabama Kidney Foundation  is a nonprofit organization that serves the Shoals in providing financial and emotional support and assistance to dialysis patients and transplant recipients and their families. Elaine Dean, 766-9756, or Brenda Grigsby, 766-5916.

Big Brothers Big Sisters  provides an adult role model for children, ages 6-13. A professional case manager interviews each child and parent. The parent shares information about the child’s personality, needs and interests and a suitable child is paired with a volunteer. The volunteer and the child decide the activities. Monica Webb Grubbs, 764-0772, or fax 764-0832

Girl Scouts of North Alabama  is a nonprofit organization dedicated solely to girls. It helps cultivate values, social conscience and self-esteem in young girls, while teaching critical life skills that will enable them to succeed as adults. Girl Scouts of North Alabama is looking for adult volunteers. Nicole Fults, Kim Knight or Jeanene Welch, 764-0331, 764-0331 or (800) 410-8338

The Salvation Army  needs volunteers to sort and size clothing, refinish and refurbish furniture and appliances, stock items and collect donations. Also needed: office receptionists, people to prepare food and grocery baskets and do maintenance work. 764-4432

The United Way  needs volunteers for activities throughout the year, especially for raising money and doing projects for needy individuals. 740-0324

Florence Jaycees is looking for men and women, ages 18-40, who want to make a difference in the community while developing leadership skills, networking and having fun. The organization meets at 7 p.m. the first and third Tuesdays at the Florence Jaycee Building, 1121 N. Wood Ave., Florence. Mechel Green, 764-3587; Melinda Hargett, 760-0124; or www.florencejaycees.org

Arc of the Shoals,  which provides services for people age 21 and older with mental retardation, needs volunteers to visit with residents, take them shopping and to community events. Donna Akins, 383-1472

Therapy Dog Inc.  needs volunteer dog owners to visit area nursing homes and assisted-living facilities each first and second Tuesday. Dogs must pass a temperament test and be at least 1 year old. 760-1777

The Colbert County Homeland Security RSVP  needs volunteers, age 55 and older, who reside in Colbert County. Volunteers help distribute emergency literature on disaster preparedness and provide park patrol at Spring Park, Tuscumbia. Accident, accidental death, excess auto liability and personal liability insurance provided. 386-8578, fax 386-8548; or e-mail colbertcorsvp@aol.com.

Shoals Area Tri-County Adult Program  trains volunteers to teach adults to read and assist with other skills, including letter-writing, job application, resume-writing and parenting skills. Donnie Sweeney or Sandy Mitchell, 331-5438 or 331-5440

St. Vincent DePaul Thrift Store  is a nonprofit organization that sells donated items at a reasonable price. Surplus funds from the store are used to subsidize the utility and rent program administered by the St. Vincent DePaul Society. The society helps anyone in need regardless of race or religion. The store is at 659 S. Poplar St., Florence, off Veterans Drive, behind Jenkins Brick. Volunteers needed for pick up and deliveries. 718-0901. For assistance with rent, utility bills and/or food, call 718-0921.

Colbert Caring Center, Tuscumbia, provides partial payment on utilities, as well as vouchers for emergency food and prescriptions. The Caring Center is supported by churches, individuals and organizations. Office hours are 9 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. 381-8464

The Community Action Agency of Northwest Alabama  needs individuals or groups to deliver meals to homebound individuals in Florence, Muscle Shoals, Petersville, Russellville, Sheffield and Tuscumbia. 766-4330

Mama’s Educational Turtle Haven and Rescue,  a chartered and not-for-profit program, needs volunteers to transplant plants on the property. The haven accepts all turtles, well or sick. There is a drop bucket at the haven at 157 E. Lee Ave., Florence. Debbie Marsh, 764-5369

The Underwood Petersville Community Center needs volunteers to help with maintenance and upkeep of the building; help organize and serve at banquets catered at the center; assist with the center’s monthly fundraising project, an all-you-can-eat breakfast the first Saturday of each month; and serve on the board of directors. 764-1388

The American Red Cross of Northwest Alabama has volunteer opportunities available at the Florence office at 318 S. Court St. Volunteers are needed to help with answering the phone, filing and data entry. There is a need for volunteer caseworkers and volunteers qualified to take blood pressure at our free blood-pressure check stations. 764-2911, 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday-Friday

Helen Keller Hospital’s Department of Volunteer Services, Sheffield, is seeking volunteers in several areas including:

Outpatient Desk —  Duties include answering and directing phone calls, assisting admitting personnel, directing visitors and patients, etc. Computers and phones are used. Training available.

Dial-A-Volunteer —  Duties include running errands, transporting patients, etc. Must be able to push wheelchairs and carts.

Greeters —  Duties include greeting visitors at the main entrance.

ER waiting area —  Duties include greeting and assisting patients in the emergency room waiting area, helping admitting, running errands, etc.

Day-patient waiting area ­—  Duties include acting as a liason between the families and staff of the Day Patient Center. For details, call Christa Martin, volunteer coordinator at Helen Keller Hospital, at 386-4153.

Cherokee Rescue Squad  needs volunteers to assist in the community by providing ambulance transportation and search/rescue services. Training provided. Volunteers needed as first-responders, emergency medical technicians, search personnel, drivers and boat operators. Meetings are at 7 p.m. first Monday of each month at the rescue squad building, Daniel Street, Cherokee. Cherokeerescue@cherokeetel.net or Capt. Michael Smith, 394-3056.

Lauderdale County Retired and Senior Volunteer Program is offering people ages 55 and older a chance to share their skills, talents, interest and knowledge through community service. RSVP is trying to meet the needs of the Lauderdale County Sheriff’s Department, Lauderdale County District Attorney’s office, Boys and Girls Club, Carver Heights and Cherry Hill homes, Children’s Advocacy Center and the Department of Human Resources. Volunteers are needed to answer the phones, greet visitors, file and do other clerical work. The RSVP office is in the basement of the Lauderdale County Courthouse, Suite 1, Room 1. Office hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday, 760-5888

Father’s Harvest, a nonprofit organization that provides free hot meals for those who are less fortunate, needs volunteers to serve in various capacities, including: preparing meals, cleanup, delivery and other ministry tasks. The outreach is 301 E. 2nd St., Sheffield. Meals are served at 6 p.m. Tuesdays and 10 a.m. Saturdays 366-1005 or e-mail Amanda@fathersharvestministries.com

CASA volunteers are Court-Appointed Special Advocates. They investigate cases involving abused and neglected children in court. CASA volunteers require no special background; interested individuals attend 40 hours of training and spend an average of 10-20 hours per week working on the child’s behalf. After talking with everyone who touches the life of the child, the volunteer reports to the judge the acquired information and makes recommendations. CASA, P.O. Box 2938, Florence, AL 35631, or call 765-0041

Montreat,  a nonprofit organization and affordable housing community for people ages 62 or older who need an handicapped-accessible unit, needs volunteers to drive their handicapped-accessible van to recreational outings with the residents. Will work around volunteers’ schedule. Mary Alice Brackin, 767-2211, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Monday-Friday

Safeplace Inc. provides services for victims of domestic violence in Colbert, Franklin, Lauderdale, Lawrence, Marion and Winston counties. Volunteers are needed in various capacities, including: Answering the crisis line; child care and activities with children; tutoring; yard work and maintenance; secretarial, office work and bulk mailing; language interpretation; prevention programs; pick up and delivery of donations; court advocacy; speaking engagements; special event coordination; and other activities. 767-3076

Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital  (768-8491) is seeking volunteers for the following:

Transporter —  This person will help transport patients to their vehicle after their stay in the hospital. It requires a lot of walking and some interaction with patients.

Cath lab, ICU and CCU waiting areas —  This person greets families to the waiting area and is available for questions from family members.

Patient information —  This person serves as a greeter to those who enter the hospital, searches for patient information on the computer and relays it to the visitor on the telephone or in the hospital.

Sheffield‘s improvement group, SHINE,  promotes family-friendly events in Sheffield. SHINE has its monthly meetings at Sheffield City Hall and needs volunteers to help with events. Amy Holcomb, 314-1911

The Wayne County, Tenn., 4-H program  is seeking volunteers who want to make a difference in the lives of children. Volunteers are needed to meet with fourth- and fifth-grade 4-H clubs in Clifton, Collinwood and Waynesboro. Applicants will be screened. Training provided. Shaun Jackson, (931) 722-3229

The Northwest Alabama Council of Local Governments seeks volunteers for the State Health Insurance Program. The SHIP program utilizes volunteer counselors to provide senior citizens with information regarding health-insurance options. Volunteers are trained to provide materials and policy comparisons for individuals needing supplemental insurance, provide one-on-one counseling with individuals via phone or site visits and help promote this free service. 389-0530

Northwest Alabama Reading Aides  is a nonprofit United Way agency in need of volunteers to teach adults how to read. After completing a three-day training workshop to become familiar with the teaching material, volunteers are matched with an individual student at a convenient time to them both. They will meet twice a week for about 1½ hours each session. Anne Jackson, 766-5709

The Cramer Children’s Center  is a nonprofit organization that needs volunteers who could help by monitoring court-ordered visitations and/or answering phones, light filing, greeting clients when they have appointments and playing with children while their parents speak to a therapist. The center is a nonprofit 5013c agency. Ashley Whitehead, 760-1140, www.nwacac.org

The Children’s Museum of the Shoals, Florence, is seeking volunteers to help as birthday party room volunteers, field trips volunteers and with book fairs. 765-0500

Jen's Cafe, Florence, is seeking volunteers on the day before and the day of Thanksgiving, Nov. 21 and 22, to help with the annual Thanksgiving meal event. 760-9918

Salvation Army, Franklin, Colbert, Lauderdale Counties, is seeking volunteers for the Angel Tree, Red Kettles, and during distribution. 764-4432