There's no better time to volunteer

Meeting the needs of families

Volunteers United is a group convened by the United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties and is open to any organization interested in networking around volunteer recruitment, retention and development.

Meetings take place the second Wednesday of every other month from 11 a.m. to noon at the Red Wing Family YMCA. The next meeting will be Jan. 9.

For more information, contact Tonya Roth at 651-388-6309 or tonya. roth@uw-gwp.org.

For a full listing of area volunteer opportunities, visit the United Way of Goodhue, Wabasha & Pierce Counties website at www.uw-gwp.org and click on volunteer. New opportunities are added continuously so please check back often.

Check this page in the Republican Eagle the last week of each month for volunteer opportunities that fit your time and talents.

Themes will be:

January: Business/finances

February: Health

March: Hunger and nutrition

April: Abuse prevention and awareness

May: Serving older Americans

June: Special needs and transportation

July: Public safety and other community needs

August: Children and youths

September: Education

October: Arts/history

November: Emergency services/holiday needs

December: Meeting the needs of families

Habitat for Humanity

We are looking for work crews of five to 10 people to work on a home rehab starting in March. We are also looking for work crews of five to 10 people for our home build in Cannon Falls and Women Build in Red Wing starting in April/May.

Goodhue County Habitat for Humanity’s housing ministry strengthens the communities in which we build by promoting volunteerism and outreach. As our 200-plus volunteers/project from multiple organizations (churches, businesses, civic organization) provided direct, hands-on service at our worksites, they:

1) live out their faith or ethical principles while giving back to their community,

2) build community and teamwork within their own groups, and

3) build community with others not like them (i.e. the family that will become the owner of the Habitat home).

Many of our work crews report that their organizations have been strengthened by their participation in our housing ministry.

RideAbility

RideAbility needs volunteers for the 2013 season. Volunteers will work with people who have special needs and special love to offer. Volunteers will also be working around horses. The most important job — walking next to a student during a horseback riding lesson — does not require any horse experience.

RideAbility’s mission is to serve families who have children or adults with special needs. We have students with many different kinds of special needs: physical challenges, special learning styles, emotional needs or any other needs you can think of.

We share our joy of horses with these students, under the direction of PATH International certified instructors. We use an indoor arena, outdoor arena and the RideAbility “sensory trail” to create a great therapeutic environment.

Volunteer training is scheduled for 6:15 p.m. Monday April 1 at the RideAbility barn near Pine Island. There also are opportunities to help on Thursday evenings throughout the year and with fundraisers from January through April.

The spring classes will be Monday and Tuesday evenings starting the week of April 8.

For information, call Jeanie 507-356-8154 or visit www.rideability.org.

Girl Scouts

Wanted: Passionate and caring adults

What: Work with girls in kindergarten or first grade

When: Meet twice a month for 90 minutes

Troop leaders are both men and women who help girls become confident leaders in their community. Our volunteers have a great time sharing their knowledge, experience and skills while developing skills for personal and professional growth.

River Valley supports our troop leaders by providing them with training and learning opportunities, extensive resources and materials and connections with other leaders through events, meetings and activities. Volunteers receive ongoing support, guidance, evaluation and recognition of efforts.

To find out more, contact Liz Cooney at 507-645-6603 or Liz.Cooney@girlscoutsrv.org. Visit the website at www.girlscoutsrv.org.

Hiawathaland Transit

Hiawathaland Transit, administered by Three Rivers Community Action, seeks volunteer drivers to transport residents of Goodhue and Wabasha counties. The program serves those that are not able to utilize public transportation.

Volunteers are reimbursed for mileage at the current IRS rate of .55 cents a mile, may set their own schedules, drive as little or as much as wanted, and select preferred areas of travel.

Interested parties must be 21 years of age or older, pass background and driving record checks, have a reliable vehicle, valid driver’s license and current auto insurance.

For more information, contact Hiawathaland Transit at 866-623-7505.

Girls on the Run

Girls on the Run Bluff Country is looking for coaches for the Lake City program. Make a difference in the lives of girls in grades 3-5 by building self-esteem and a healthy lifestyle.

This after-school program begins Feb. 25-26 and runs until a 5K run on May 18. Coaches can choose to volunteer on either Monday/Wednesday or Tuesday/Thursday. The girls meet approximately 80 minutes twice per week.

Contact Katie Ramstad at kramstad@yahoo.com or 651-380-2176. Visit girlsontherunbc.org for more information.

Tags: lifestyle, community