Volunteer opportunities available

Looking for a good way to give back to the community while improving your resume? Volunteer! There are many great volunteering opportunities available on and off campus.

On Campus: the University of Northern Iowa hosts an annual volunteer fair where students can visit booths and sign up for more information regarding different volunteer opportunities.

This year, the fair was held from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sept. 2 in the Old Central Ballroom in Maucker Union.

Lauren Finke, executive director of the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, said, "Many of the agencies attend the fair to recruit long-term volunteers for the school year to assist with different programs they have as well as recruit potential interns."  

Some of the organizations  present at the fair included: ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program, The American Red Cross, Northeast Iowa Food Bank, UNI Best Buddies, Relay for Life, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Habitat for Humanity and the YWCA.

But if you were unable to attend the fair, another great way to get involved is through Volunteer Tuesdays, sponsored by the Student Leadership Center and the Campus Activities Board.

Each Tuesday in September, there will be a different volunteering opportunity. Volunteers get transportation to and from the site, beverages and a free T-shirt. Shifts are 2 to 5 p.m. or 5 to 8 p.m. To learn more, visit www.uni.edu/maucker/leadership/volunteer-tuesdays.html.

Off Campus: The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is a great resource for people looking for volunteer opportunities. The Volunteer Center is a member of a national non-profit organization, which "seeks to engage more people more effectively in volunteer service to address serious social issues."

Volunteering opportunities are available in Cedar Falls, Waterloo and Waverly. Some current opportunities include:

•    Sept. 10-11 – Volunteers are needed to help with the Park to Park race. Proceeds go to the Family and Children's Council for local child abuse prevention. Volunteers are needed Friday for packet pick-ups and Saturday morning for registration, parking, course support, water stops, finish line and food.

•    Sept. 18 -- The Cedar Falls Lutheran Home needs morning volunteers for its annual Promise Run. Volunteers are needed to check-in runners, flag the path and pass out refreshments.

•    Sept. 19 -- Volunteers are needed from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. to help with the Arboretum's Fall Harvest Festival. Individuals are needed for set up, tear down, running games and crafts, parking and selling merchandise.

To learn more about the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley, visit www.vccv.org or call (319) 272-2087.