This week is National Volunteer Week, and a number of area organizations offer opportunities to volunteer throughout the year. Nonprofit groups that work to help the homeless, animals, children and families as well as organizations that promote literacy, education and the arts are seeking donations and volunteer assistance.
1960 Hope Center seeks volunteers for its facility on FM 1960, which offers assistance and resources to the homeless. The facility opened in October. Volunteers can use the group’s website to sign up for tasks, including housekeeping, laundry and serving as receptionists. Additional tasks include data entry, mentoring and teaching classes.
744 FM 1960 W., Ste. B, Houston 832-965-5511 www.1960hopecenter.com
Abandoned Animal Rescue is a nonprofit no-kill animal shelter that offers discounted spaying and neutering. The shelter seeks volunteers in cat care, dog care or administrative work. Volunteers must be at least 12 years old and are required to attend a two-hour hands-on training session before beginning volunteer work.
419 E. Hufsmith Road, Tomball 281-290-0121 www.aartomball.org
Arrow Child and Family Ministries is a Christian-based organization that aims to support children and families through adoption and foster care. The nonprofit group needs volunteers to help complete administrative tasks that support the logistics of sponsorship activities as well as volunteers to assist with fundraising events.
2929 FM 2920, Spring 281-210-1500 www.arrow.org
The Barbara Bush Branch Library features a wide collection of books and other informational materials while offering an array of community events as part of the Harris County Public Library System. The library continually accepts volunteers to help shelve books or place them on hold. Interested potential volunteers must fill out an application form. Knowledge of the Dewey Decimal System is helpful but not required of volunteers. The library also allows teen school groups to volunteer and does not require an application from those groups. The Friends of the Library group, which charges dues, also accepts new members.
6817 Cypresswood Drive, Spring 281-376-4610 www.hcpl.net
Habitat for Humanity[/caption]
Habitat for Humanity Northwest Harris County is seeking volunteers to help with administrative duties and work at ReStore, an outlet store for building materials. The nonprofit organization is also looking for groups to assist on its construction site on Fairfax Village West Drive, near George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old and wear closed-toe shoes. Those under age 18 must be accompanied by an adult. A young professionals volunteer group is also forming and accepting new members.
13350 Jones Road, Houston 281-477-0460 www.habitatnwhc.org
Northwest Assistance Ministries[/caption]
Founded in 1983, Northwest Assistance Ministries offers several programs and services to the Greater Houston area aimed at helping families to obtain food, housing, medical care and other services. It includes a Family Violence Center, the Fifty Plus Senior Center; and the Joanne Watford Nutrition Center, which includes a food pantry. It also offers a children’s clinic, NAM’s Treasures of the Heart resale store and assistance programs. NAM needs daily volunteers for Meals on Wheels, the children’s clinic and to work in its resale store on Kuykendahl Road. NAM also seeks volunteers for instructors and bingo callers at the Fifty Plus Senior Center as well as peer advocates for its family violence hotline at the Family Violence Center. Volunteers who are younger than 16 years old must be accompanied by an adult.
15555 Kuykendahl Road, Houston 281-885-4555 www.namonline.org
Since 2008, the Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts has provided Spring and Klein residents access to original works of art. Volunteer opportunities include working as docents, who are museum representatives who lead students and adults on prescheduled tours of the facility. Training is required to become a docent at the museum. The Volunteer Guild also provides assistance with museum educational events and plans opportunities for members to listen to lectures, visit area museums and run the annual student art contest.
6815 Cypresswood Drive, Spring 281-376-6322 www.pearlmfa.org
Spring-Woodlands Ministries is a nonprofit organization run by volunteers. The organization is seeking additional volunteers to help during the holidays. SWM has worked for 21 years to bring joy, hope and love to those experiencing extreme challenges. In its Coins for Christmas program, SWM asks for help to collect coins to assist SWM in buying turkeys and hams for the families receiving holiday assistance. Toys are needed for children up to age 15.
810 E. Louetta Road, Stes. A-E, Spring 281-353-4480 www.springwoodlandsministries.org
This is not a comprehensive list. To find more information on volunteer opportunities and local nonprofit organizations, visit www.communityimpact.com
