Editor’s note: Volunteer opportunities are provided by the local Volunteer Action Center. For a more complete list, see uwbarthco.org/volunteer.
Columbus Youth Camp: Groups of volunteers needed to chop firewood, clear trails, landscape, paint and clean cabins. Projects vary by season. Location: Columbus Youth Camp, 12454 W. Youth Camp Road, Columbus.Times of Project: Aug. 23, Sept. 27, Oct. 25. Time Commitment: Four-hour shift. Contact: Brian Cain at 812-348-4558, ext. 402.
Columbus Fireman’s Cheer Fund: The Cheer Fund provides a box of toys at Christmastime for about 1,200 children annually. Volunteers are needed to sort new and gently used toys, preparing, boxing up, distributing and transporting toys to families. Contact: bnoblitt@columbus.in.gov.
Community Center of Hope: Volunteers needed to assist clients in the food pantry, stock shelves and perform basic housekeeping duties. Hours: 8 a.m. to noon Tuesdays. Time commitment: four hours. Contact: Ashley Mack at 812-546-4499 or admin@communitycenterofhope.org.
Columbus Salvation Army: Volunteers to assist in the food pantry, sort and stock food, and tend to janitorial needs. Time: 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 2 to 6 p.m. Tuesdays. Contact: Amy Tompkins, 812-372-7118 or amy_tompkins@usc.salvationarmy.org. Time commitment: three hours each month.
Developmental Services Inc.: Seeking three volunteers to deep-clean the kitchen that is used for cooking classes for clients. Hours: Anytime between 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Tuesday-Thursday. Time commitment: three to four hours. Contact: Ida Prange at 812-376-9404, ext. 139.
Horizon House: Help needed with sorting, stocking, child sitting, light maintenance and other tasks. Contact: Michele Lee, 812-372-8407 or mlee@hsi-indiana.org.
Love Chapel: The nonprofit food pantry serves more than 4,000 Bartholomew County residents each month. Volunteers are needed to help with donation pickups, janitorial, food stocking and sorting, client intake and pantry shopping, information and technology, warehouse host, and other areas of the nonprofit outreach. Hours: 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday at the agency’s site at 311 Center St in Columbus. Time Commitment: Each shift is four hours. Volunteers may work as many shifts as is convenient for them. Contact: Janice Kotnik at 812-372-9421 or volunteer@columbuslovechapel.com.
Sans Souci discount store: Needs volunteers for sorting donations, hanging clothing, pricing items. Groups of (up to) 10 volunteers for each shift in the morning and evening. Individuals encouraged to sign up as well. Location: 1526 13th St. in Columbus. Hours and time commitment: 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Contact: Gayatri, 812-372-3419, or gayatri@sanssouci.org.
Thrive Alliance: The non-profit organization that provides a wide range of social and human services to residents of south central Indiana needs volunteers for helping with office clerical tasks (filing, copying, data entry and making phone calls). Times and days are flexible with the volunteer’s schedule. Hours: one to two per week. Where: 1531 13th St. at the Doug Otto Center, office number G900, Columbus. Also seeking volunteers at community meal sites. Contact: Kashmira Mehta 812-372-6918 or volunteer@thrive-alliance.org.
Turning Point Domestic Violence Services: Ongoing and immediate opportunities include a volunteer handyman to join the other volunteer handymen in repairing and maintaining the shelter and office. Also need volunteers for weekly 90-minute child care, including working with children with time to play, do crafts, or reading to give parents a respite. Contact: Dede Parker, 812-657-1304.
Mill Race Center: Volunteers needed for front desk operations. Where: 900 Lindsey St., Columbus. Contact: Kelly Staley at kelly@millracecenter.org or 812-376-9241.
Bartholomew County Historical Society: Volunteers needed for group tours; Historic Home Tour, Christmas, Threshing and Spring on Breeding Farm; fundraising events; clerical support; maintenance at the museum and Breeding Farm near Edinburgh; gardeners; collections management; maintaining artifacts and researching items; genealogy research. Where: 524 Third St., Columbus. Time: two to three hours per week, from 10 a.m. to noon or 1 to 4 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays. Contact: Diane Robbins at 812-372-3541 or drobbins@bartholomewhistory.org
Columbus Animal Care Services: Volunteers are needed for tasks such as walking dogs, socializing cats, occasional drives to rescues, cleaning, special events and larger projects throughout the year such as gardening, mulching etc. Mid-day volunteers especially needed. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday, and 10 a.m. to noon Saturday. Time commitment: Varies, but two-hour time periods are typical. Contact: Alyssia Burriss, 812-376-2505 for ongoing volunteer options, Nicohl Birdwell Goodin for periodic projects and special events, at nbirdwell-goodin@columbus.in.gov.
Orphan Grain Train: Seeking a receptionist from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursdays at the agency warehouse at 209 Jackson St. in Jonesville, south of Columbus. Contact: Gene Ernst at 812-405-2045 or indianaogt@gmail.com.
