Volunteer opportunities abound in the two-county area—from the arts to nature to health and human services. Most urgent right now is the need for blood donations
Give Blood, Save a Life - Donors Urgently Needed Now
Summer is here and now, more than ever, Florida's Blood Centers need your help. While families go on vacation, snowbirds head up north and high school, college and university students take the summer off, donations drop significantly.
That's why Florida's Blood Centers, your local blood bank, is appealing to the public for donors as soon as possible.
Blood donations help save the lives of trauma patients, premature babies, cancer patients and people needing surgery. The patient in need of a life-saving blood transfusion could be your neighbor, a family member or even yourself. Cancer patients are in daily need of treatment, burn victims use plasma, trauma victims need red blood transfusions, and routine surgeries depend on the gift of a volunteer donor.
Donors can be as young as 16 and should weigh at least 102 pounds. There is no upper age limit. Most donations will impact those patients within a few days.
Donations to Florida's Blood Centers stay in our community to save lives. Every donation is separated into components in our region and will be transfused into a patient usually within 2 to 3 days.
Just one donation can save multiple lives, because it's separated into components—red blood cells, plasma and platelets, clotting factors and a host of pharmaceuticals. Every three seconds someone is in need of a blood transfusion.
The public is encouraged to call 1-888-9DONATE for center locations to make a donation. Check out eligibility at www.floridasbloodcenters.org.
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee Volunteers Needed
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee needs volunteers for several of its programs.
Northern volunteers have returned home, leaving many volunteer positions available. Drivers are needed to deliver hot, nutritious meals to homebound seniors in Manatee County. The time requirement for delivering meals is approximately 1 to 1-1/2 hours, one day per week. Meals are prepared at the Meals on Wheels PLUS kitchen and delivered by volunteers between 11 a.m. and 1pm daily.
Meals on Wheels also need volunteers for Telephone Reassurance, a free community program which provides phone calls to seniors, needs volunteers to make a daily 3 minute phone call to seniors who are alone and confined to their homes.
These seniors may have no family or friends nearby, and no contact with the outside world. These phone calls provide social contact and alert loved ones or the authorities of a possible problem at home.
If you are interested in learning more about these programs or would like to sign up as a client, call Carol at 747-4655 for more information. All that is required of volunteers is a telephone and a caring spirit.
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee Since 1972, Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee, Inc. has been providing nutritional assistance and caring services to individuals in their homes or in centers throughout Manatee County, helping them to continue to live independently.
Over 60 percent of the Meals on Wheels PLUS funds must be raised through local donations, grants, and fundraising projects. For information on how to donate or volunteer, go to www.mealsonwheelsplus.org.
Got Yarn? They Need it...
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee is in need of yarn donations for volunteers who knit or crochet lap robes and slippers for needy seniors.
Any and all yarn is appreciated. Donations can be dropped off at 811 23rd Avenue East, Bradenton, or picked up by Meals on Wheels PLUS. Call Carol at 747-4655 for further information.
Hurry! Volunteers Needed for August 8 Event
The Volunteer Committee for the 15th Annual Manatee Children's Summit is extending a request for volunteers to assist with the various activities that makes this event the biggest in our area. They need individuals who are available on Saturday, August 8 from 8 a.m. -5 p.m. Different volunteer activities include: coffee/donut sales, T-shirt sales, door prizes, stage hands, handing out bags, floor coverage, and break down.
If you are unable to assist on that Saturday, there are other opportunities leading up to the day of the event such as: distributing/bundling flyers, setting up on Friday August 7, developing name tags for all volunteers, coordinating the volunteer appreciation luncheon, and assisting the various other planning committees.
For more information concerning the 15th Annual Children's Summit volunteer openings, contact Mike Neuges at mike.neuges@mymanatee.org or call 941-749-3030. You can also contact Alex DeMolina at alex.demolina@mymanatee.org or call him at 941-749-3029.
Pets Need Food, Too
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee will be accepting donations of pet food, to help provide for the pets of homebound seniors. Though pet food has always been supplied to seniors who requested assistance, the renewed efforts are the result of a recent partnership between County Commissioner Carol Whitmore, The Humane Society, and Meals on Wheels PLUS.
Any pet food retailers or individuals who would like to make a contribution of pet food for this cause are welcome.
“Many people are simply too proud to just ask for assistance,” said Commissioner Whitmore, “but if they are approached first, they might be more inclined to admit that they need help to feed their dog or cat.”
When a senior is living alone, their pet may be the sole source of companionship, and Meals on Wheels PLUS wants to preserve that relationship as long as possible. Volunteers are needed to help deliver the pet food to homebound seniors during the week.
For more information about Meals on Wheels PLUS or the pet food program, visit www.mealsonwheelsplus.org
Resurrection House Seeks Volunteers
Resurrection House, a day resource center providing a wide range of programs and services for the homeless of Sarasota County, is searching for dedicated volunteers to assist in daily operations.
At no cost to the more than two-hundred homeless clients served each day, Resurrection House offers laundry services, showers, clothing, medical treatment, personal counseling, assistance in obtaining governmental help and placement in treatment facilities, and a safe haven for those seeking a quiet refuge amid uncertain times.
It takes more than one hundred volunteer hours per day to effectively and efficiently provide these services. Skills and experiences of every kind are needed, from data entry, administration, and laundry labors, to kitchen, office, and medical help.
Resurrection House volunteers work four-hour shifts, from 8 a.m. until noon, and noon until 4 p.m. at their 507 Kumquat Court location in the Sarasota downtown area.
To become a Resurrection House volunteer, or to schedule a tour, call Tom Martin, Manager of Volunteer Services, at 365-3759.
Gee, Want to Volunteer at G.WIZ?
Are you interested in educating guests and influencing young minds? G.WIZ provides wonderful volunteer opportunities for year-round residents and snowbirds alike.
They offer many opportunities such as greeting guests, selling items in the Museum Store, and explaining exhibits.
For further information, contact Andrew Bailes, Director of Volunteer Services, at 941-30-.4949, ext. 123 or email volunteers@gwiz.org
In addition, G.WIZ is looking for a volunteer office assistant to come in one day a week for four hours with a minimum three-month commitment. Basic knowledge of Computers, Internet, and Microsoft Office would be perfect. Photoshop experience a plus.
If you or someone you know would be able to help, contact Andrew Bailes at 941-309-4949, ext. 123.
G.WIZ - The Science Museum is at 1001 Blvd. of the Arts, Sarasota.
WRC of Sarasota Honors its Volunteers
In recognition of all they have done in helping the Women's Resource Center Of Sarasota County (WRCSC) serve women in need in our county, volunteers were honored and awarded in June at the Women's Resource Center of Sarasota.
The WRC has over 350 active volunteers to run programs, staff phones, stuff mailings and work fund raisers all in an effort to keep the valuable programs at the Center.
Women honored were: Front Desk Sarasota: Debbie Fields; Front Desk Venice: Liz Mutrie; Admin Support Sarasota: Adrienne Blum; Admin Support South County: Marie Zolot; Instructor Sarasota: Joan Dropkin; Instructor Venice: Marcella Mika; EBS: Andy Fox; Peer Counselor Sarasota: Joan Rosenstein; Peer Counselor Venice: Lorraine Finizio; Encore & More: Babs Fromme; Special Events Sarasota: Leanne McIntire; Special Events Venice: Diana Capirano.
The WRC in Sarasota, Venice, North Port and Englewood offer many programs. Peer Counseling is one of the most comprehensive services provided by the Center. Volunteers are trained in active listening and community resources.
Through honest and confidential conversations, clients are encouraged to explore new options in a safe, non-judgmental environment. Peer counselors help clients identify their problems objectively and connect them to other community resources to achieve their goals.
Challenge is the flagship service of the Center, It is an intensive series of classes for women facing any number of life transitions including job loss, health issues, divorce, loss of a partner or simply being new to the area.
Curriculum includes topics such as self-esteem, stress management, money management, wellness, goal setting and communication skills. And their special program for widows is not about grief; it is about discovering how to live again.
The Employment and Business Success programs assist women with their job skills and career decisions. For current class and program information, visit www.thewomensresourcecenter.org.
The Women's Resource Center of Sarasota County has a 30-year history of service. Each year, more than 12,500 women's lives are enriched by an experience with the Women's Resource Center.
Does Your Nonprofit Need Volunteers?
If your nonprofit is in need of volunteers, send us your listings today.
Summer is here and now, more than ever, Florida's Blood Centers need your help. While families go on vacation, snowbirds head up north and high school, college and university students take the summer off, donations drop significantly. 
Meals on Wheels PLUS of Manatee needs volunteers for several of its programs. 
If you are unable to assist on that Saturday, there are other opportunities leading up to the day of the event such as: distributing/bundling flyers, setting up on Friday August 7, developing name tags for all volunteers, coordinating the volunteer appreciation luncheon, and assisting the various other planning committees. 
Any pet food retailers or individuals who would like to make a contribution of pet food for this cause are welcome. 
