Volunteer Opportunities

By Nancy K. Crevier

The season of giving does not have to end with the holidays. Numerous area organizations need the gift of time and talent provided by volunteers year around. Consider supporting one of the following groups through volunteering.

The Animal Center is a volunteer-staffed animal welfare charity with volunteers providing foster homes for kittens, cats, and dogs; volunteers can also write thank you notes, coordinate food drives, or pick up donated items from the Wish List. For more information visit theanimalcenter.org or call 203-270-0228.

Canine Advocates of Newtown is in need of volunteers over the age of 21 to walk dogs at the Newtown Dog Pound. Volunteers are also needed to help with fundraising projects. Contact Virginia Jess at 203-426-5327.

FAITH Food Pantry, in the undercroft of St John’s Episcopal Church in Sandy Hook Center, is seeking a volunteer for every other Tuesday morning, who is strong enough to lift and haul heavy items and carry groceries for customers when needed. A volunteer for one Thursday evening a month is needed to assist clients in selecting grocery items. To volunteer, call Lee Paulsen at 203-426-5604.

FISH of Newtown, Inc is always in need of volunteer drivers to transport Newtown residents to medical appointments. Ideal volunteer experience for newly retired workers. Contact Colleen Honan at 203-426-0714, Fred Stakel at 203-426-2336, or Ellen Parrella at 203-426-6470.

Literacy Volunteers of America, 248 Main Street, Danbury, seeks people interested in being trained as a volunteer tutor, to assist people ages 16 and over with helping reading, writing, or in the English language. To find out more about training, call 203-792-8260, or visit LVAschool.org.

Make A Home Foundation, a Sandy Hook nonprofit organization that collects and distributes household items, furniture, and other necessities to homeless and displaced people all over the state, including veterans, seeks volunteers to help with sorting the many donated items they have collected. Volunteers are also needed to assist with the pick-up of larger items. Skilled carpenters to help build storage shelving, and a person to help with web design would be appreciated. Call 203-270-5501 or contact apetten999@aol.com.

Newtown Friends of Booth Library has many opportunities for year around and temporary volunteers. Year around volunteers are needed to help select inventory for the annual book sale and other sales venues, and to help sort books and prepare for the annual book sale that takes place July 14 to 18 in 2012, at Reed Intermediate School. To volunteer, call Pete Stern at 203-426-4041. Volunteers are also needed to work the days of the book sale, especially over the weekend. E-mail your name, your interests, contact information, and the best time to contact you to boothbooksale@yahoo.com, and a Friends member will be in touch.

Newtown Meals on Wheels seeks volunteer drivers to pick up and deliver noontime meals to housebound residents in the area. Call Colleen Honan at 203-426-0714.

Newtown Volunteer Ambulance Corps is seeking volunteers. Noncertified volunteers are welcomed and can assist in various positions. Emergency medical certification is required to ride the ambulances. Medic truck drivers are also being sought at this time, and do not need to be certified. Newtown Ambulance Corps provides response, medical treatment services and transport to the people of Newtown in their time of need, with approximately 70 volunteers certified by the State of Connecticut as emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and medic truck drivers that staff 24/7. For more information, contact NewtownAmbulanceCT.org. Information can also be obtained by calling 203-270-4380 or visiting the ambulance garage at 77 Main Street.

RSVP of Northern Fairfield County (Retired Seniors Volunteer Program) welcomes volunteers aged 55 and over. RSVP reinvests the knowledge, skills, and talents of senior citizens back into the community through various volunteer opportunities. To find out more about local volunteer opportunities, call 203-885-1391.

Valentines For Troops Chairperson Donna Randle is looking for volunteers to help with the annual project that sends valentines and packages to troops overseas. Assistance in sorting donations or overseeing that the packages are appropriately marked before being shipped to their recipients would be appreciated. Individuals, groups, or organizations are welcome to volunteer. Contact Donna at ndrandle@charter.net.