Various agencies in Kittitas County have contacted the Retired and
Senior Volunteer Program with volunteer opportunities. Take a look
through the list to see if you can lend a hand.

Dr. Harry Papadopoulos, professor at CWU, RSVP and the Sr. Fall Prevention Program are looking for residents 65 and older who would like to participate in an “in home” S.A.I.L. exercise program. S.A.I.L. (Stay Active and Independent for Life) classes are designed with strength and balance exercises to help people remain healthy and prevent falling. CWU Exercise Science Students who are trained and certified in S.A.I.L. will work one on one with individuals or couples in their homes or apartments. All students will be supervised by CWU professor Papadopoulos. For further information please contact RSVP at 509-962-4311.

Join the Foster Grandparent Program! Volunteers with our organization spend time helping struggling youth. They’re a model, mentor and a friend. Serving at one of many local organizations-including faith based groups, Head Start Centers, schools, and other youth facilities-they help children learn to read, provide tutoring, love, comfort, and guide kids. Eligibility Requirements: At least 55 years old, willing to serve 20 hours per week, have a desire to work with youth. What Volunteers Get: Free Lunches, Mileage reimbursement, Liability Insurance, Lots of love and hugs from kids, Stipend of $2.65/hour (if your annual income is low). For more information please call Megan Turner at 1(800)246-2962 or 1(509)965-7100.

The Kittitas County Historical Museum is looking for volunteers to staff the front desk. Duties will include greeting the public, answering the phone and visitor questions, and performing computer data entry. Volunteers need to commit to a minimum of 4 hours per week for 6 months. Hours available are Monday through Friday, 10:00 am to 4:00pm. For more information, please call 925-3778 or email.

The Telephone Museum of Cle Elum is looking for volunteers to open the museum and greet guests. Volunteer shifts of 2 or 4 hours are available from spring thru Labor Day. Please contact Bonnie Hawk at 509-304-8283.

WANTED: Participants for Research Project. You are invited to participate in a research project that will compare the use of accelerometers (devices that measure energy expenditure) between younger and older adults. Adults between the ages of 18-95 years old will undergo a health assessment. You must be able to walk on a treadmill without assistance. The project will take place in the CWU Exercise Science Lab. Assessment times are available any time of the day from November to February. If interested, please contact Dr. Papadopoulos at (406)207-0435 to discuss the details.

The High Country Artists and the Carpenter House Museum are looking for artists, writers and others to join the Northern Kittitas County Historical Society. Please contact Bonnie Hawk at 509-304-8283 or NKCHS@yahoo.com

Kittitas County Habitat for Humanity is in the process of starting a weekday build for our Habitat houses. Those interested in participating in constructing houses on Wednesdays, should contact our office via email at ehabitat@fairpoint.net ; phone 509-962-5058,or online via our web site www.kchabitat.org . There is no need for construction experience as we will train you on the job.

The Spirit of the West Cowboy Gathering is looking for volunteers for their event in February and throughout the year. Anyone interested in volunteering please email at info@ellensburgcowboygathering.com or you can call Beth at 925-5215.
 

Volunteers are needed to serve as docents and the new Museum of Culture and Environment at Dean Hall. Hours are 2:00pm to 6:00pm Mon-Fri and on Saturdays from 10am to 3pm. Please contact Angie Koch at kochan@cwu.edu or 509-963-2313.

The Ellensburg Meals on Wheels program is looking for a regular volunteer to deliver meals on Tuesday and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 12 noon in the Ellensburg area. If interested call Audrey Lyman at 933-3333 or 929-0692.

Volunteers are needed at the Children’s Activity Museum, 118 E 4th. Street. If you are interested in greeting families and interacting with children, please consider volunteering your time at the museum. The Museum is also looking for volunteers to help with woodworking and handyman projects. We are open Wed. through Sat. from 10:00-5:00 and volunteer hours are flexible during those times. Please contact Theresa at 925-6789 or childrensmuseum@kvalley.com.

Volunteer positions are available at The Clothing Center from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. or 1:00pm to 4:00pm on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Volunteers would help with sorting and hanging clothes, helping at the front desk and greeting customers. Volunteers are also needed to help sort donations on Monday and Friday from 9:00 a.m to 12:00 p.m. Please call RSVP at 962-4311.

HopeSource needs volunteers for their food bank program on Mondays from 12 pm to 4:30 pm and Wednesday 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4:30 pm. Volunteers would need to commit to a minimum of 3 hours per week per month for at least 4 months service. Duties include greeting clients, helping with food shopping and carry out, stocking and cleaning. Other hours and days are available for bulk food repacking, stocking, cleaning and card board disposal. For an application packet stop in either in the Cle Elum office at 110 Pennsylvania Ave. or the Ellensburg office at 601 W 5th Ave. For more information please call 509-674-2375.

Volunteers are needed at the Ellensburg Chamber of Commerce office on Thursdays, from 11:45 am to 1:15 pm. If you are interested in providing a friendly introduction to our town visitors, please consider becoming an ambassador for our city and our attractions by volunteering your time at the Visitor Information Center. Please contact Roylene at 925-2002, or roylene@ellensburg-chamber.com

Kittitas County Friends of Animals needs volunteers to foster animals in their home, transport animals to rescues on the west side, man informational tablings at local stores (in Ellensburg and Cle Elum), help trap and transport feral (wild) cats to local vets for altering, deliver food to needy people, and help with regular cleaning and loving of our cats at our 2 foster shelters. If you wish to help, please email KCFOA@aol.com or call 509-899-4238.

Gallery One is looking for a community member who is interested in art that would assist the Gallery with updating the volunteer database, volunteer at the gallery and help organize volunteers for Gallery One events. Please call Pam Zupan at 509-968-3212 for more information.
The Kittitas County Heritage Center Board is looking for volunteers. Please contact Gordy Caswell at 962-2089 for more information.

Volunteer Opportunities is prepared by the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program of Kittitas County. RSVP is a United Way Agency sponsored by Central Washington University. Volunteers of all ages are needed. To volunteer for any of today’s listings, contact RSVP at (509) 962-4311. All Kittitas County agencies, clubs and groups are encouraged to submit, in writing, their volunteer openings by 5:00 p.m. on Wednesday to the RSVP office (707 North Pearl St., Suite I) or by e-mail at rsvp@elltel.net or fax at (509) 925-1730.