Living in Montgomery

A wonderful way to get to know your new community is through volunteer service. There are many agencies and organizations in the River Region that can use a helping hand. Sometimes it's hard to know where to get started. The Volunteer and Information Center, located at 312 Montgomery Street, Suite 303, is a kind of clearing house that matches needs with willing workers. The VIC provides information about volunteer opportunities for individuals, families and groups. In 2003, a special phone system was set up just to meet these special needs - simply dial "211" to find out how you can make a difference in your community! Here is a list of just a few of the volunteer opportunities available through the VIC:

2-1-1 CONNECTS
The Volunteer and Information Center needs you! 211 Connects is a 3-digit phone number that provides an important link between citizens in need and community agencies and resources that can help meet those needs. Currently, we are looking for volunteers with an interest in social services to assist with the 2-1-1 program. This is an excellent opportunity for college students to gain knowledge and skills related to community services, or for professionals or retirees to give back to the community. For more information please call 334-264-4636 and the volunteer coordinator will inform you of training dates.

SALVATION ARMY
Volunteers are needed to assist with the holiday Kettle Campaign. The Campaign will begin on November 14 and continue through noon on Wednesday, December 24. There are numerous locations throughout the tri-county area.

WILL'S GUILD
The Alabama Shakespeare Festival is recruiting adults for a Volunteer Usher Corps. ASF is looking for individuals and groups to participate in this new program. Volunteers are needed for evening performances (Tuesday-Sunday) and weekend matinees.

ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF ARCHIVES AND HISTORY
Preserves and makes available to the public all state records, manuscripts and artifacts that document the history of Alabama. Needs volunteers in the areas of museum docents, hands-on gallery attendants, receptionists, gift carts, reference aids, archival processing, aids. The hours are flexible, Monday - Saturday.

AMERICAN RED CROSS
Volunteers are needed to help register donors and serve refreshments at blood drives and/or at the fixed site off Carmichael Road. Date, time and location is variable for blood drives. Fixed site needs volunteers on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from noon-6 p.m. and Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Help also is needed with clerical duties including data entry, telephone, filing, etc.

BAPTIST HEALTH
Baptist Health is seeking volunteers for BMC South, BMC East, Prattville Baptist Hospital and Baptist Hospice. Provide a variety of services including delivering flowers and mail, transporting wheelchair patients, working at information desks and in waiting rooms, providing coffee for visitors, participating in sewing activities, providing clerical assistance, coordinating community events and more.

CATHOLIC SOCIAL SERVICES
In need of volunteers to assist in the Thrift Store - duties include sorting donations and assisting customers. Also in need of people willing to help with answering the Direct Needs phone line on Tuesday and Thursday.

CENTRAL ALABAMA LAUBACH LITERACY COUNCIL
Laubach Literacy Council provides individual instruction for adult learners with limited basic skills. Volunteers are needed to tutor these adults twice a week for 1 ½ hours.

CONGRESSIONAL VOLUNTEER PROGRAM
This is non-political work, providing assistance to the 3rd Congressional District Office in Montgomery. Duties include basic receptionist and office administration, answering telephones, greeting visitors. Selected candidate(s) will be asked to commit 2 days a week, 6 hours per day, for a 3-month term. Applicants must submit 3 references.

MONTGOMERY MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS
Looking for docents (volunteer guides) to conduct or assist with art-related educational tours for adults and children of all ages. No experience or knowledge of art history is required. Training will be provided.

WOMEN OF DESTINY
Volunteers are needed to assist women and children with reading skills, mathematics, computer training, HIV/AIDS awareness and other health education areas. Individuals who speak a second language are also encouraged to call.

If you are interested in volunteering your time, call the volunteer hotline at 211, or contact the Volunteer and Information Center at 264-3335; or visit them online at www.volunteer-info.org.

MAKE A WISH FOUNDATION
The Make-A-Wish Foundation grants wishes to children with life-threatening medical conditions to enrich the human experience with hope, strength, and joy.  We are in need of Wish Volunteers to assist with wish granting.  The responsibilities include visiting with the family and interviewing the wish child in groups of two to determine the child's wish and explain our required paperwork.  Requires excellent people skills, sensitivity, and dependability.  There is a minimum age limit of 21.

For more information, please contact MaryAnne Taylor at 205-254-9474 or mtaylor@ngal.wish.org. We are also cultivating a Montgomery Advisory Committee that will be responsible for events planning, fundraising, and creating public awareness about Make-A-Wish.  If you are interested in serving on the Advisory Committee or would like more information about it, please contact Jessi Grizzard at 205-254-9474 or jgrizzard@ngal.wish.org.