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February is drawing to a close, and spring is just around the corner (hopefully.) This week’s Volunteer Round-up features opportunities for giving back in the great outdoors.

Keep Pennsylvania Beautiful

The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation is looking for able-bodied volunteers to participate in this year’s Great American Cleanup.

The cleanup will run from March 1 though May 31.

Last year, more than 159,000 volunteers collected 7 million pounds of trash from 13,140 miles of roads, trails and shorelines, reported the Department of Transportation.

“Cleanup events like this have been a great success in improving the quality of life for Pennsylvanians by creating cleaner roadsides and communities,” said Transportation Secretary Barry Schoch, in a news release. “Many dedicated residents return year after year to show their support, and I encourage more Pennsylvanians to show pride in our state through these great opportunities.”

Gloves and tools will be provided.

Interested volunteers should go to www.gacofpa.org.

Eat, Run, Donate

Registration is currently open for the the Stanganelli’s Pepperoni Ball Jog ‘n Hog on June 16.

What is this unique race, you ask? Well, runners jog 2 miles in Presque Isle State Park, eat 6 pepperoni balls and then run (or waddle) back to where they started.

Warning: This race is only for the gastronomically brave.

Register before May 9 for $30. From May 10 to 31, registration is $35. It is $40 from June 1 to 13.

The Jog ‘n Hog supports the Community Blood Bank.

Want to learn more? They have this fun video:

Edinboro University is hosting first annual MDA Muscle Walk on March 31.

The Muscular Dystrophy Association is looking for volunteers to help out with these tasks:

• Registration
• Food / Commissary
• Chinese Auction
• Activities (Handing out ballons, facepainting, etc…)

To get involved, call (814) 833-0131.

**Note the date of the Jog ‘n Hog has been changed from June 15 to June 16.

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Suggestions are always welcome. Shoot me an email at catherine.cloutier@timesnews.com.

Graphic from Clker

Due to Presidents Day, this week’s Volunteer Round-up is a day late, but it’s still chock-full of opportunities.

March Forth

March is right around the corner and with it comes the March Forth Against Crime 5k Run/Walk on (not surprisingly) March 4.

Proceeds go to the  Crime Victim Center, which works to reduce the impact of crime through counseling, education and advocacy.

Entry fees are $17 for early registration and $20 for day-of and late registration.

Sign up sooner rather than later and take the first step toward reducing crime.

Help a Local Church

The Mclane Church-Erie at Forward Hall is joining the “I’m Helping” campaign by encouraging members to volunteer at the church.

Do you belong to the Mclane Church? Why not give back in one of these ways?

The church is looking for:

• Drivers to shuttle people back and forth from church
• Youth ministers
• Greeters
• Musicians
• Cooks/Bakers to provide snacks

Contact Paul Macosko at pmacosko@mclanechurch.org for more details.

Giving back to the dead

This one’s from reader James Aiello:

“I dont ask often but I need help tomorrow. Some of you all know I ran a project restoring and repairing headstones for local cemeteries. After 5 years of work at the Girard Cemetery was victim of vandalism to 40 headstones, some that I had spent hours repairing. If anyone has some spare time I am going out to put the stones back up. A few are large and my son and I won’t be able to lift properly. I have some equiptment on site. Gloves and a strong back are required. Email me @ stoneman1818@live.com or call 814-823-2884.. (Dont mind my blackeye or lack of clear speech, had some dental work done that was tramatic.)”

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As always, feel free to email me any suggestions.

Happy early Valentine’s Day!

In honor of the holiday of love, today’s Volunteer Round-up features opportunities with a heart (or actually, that involve the heart). We’re highlighting volunteer openings at local hospitals and medical facilities.

Saint Vincent Health Center

Volunteerism has been a part of the Saint Vincent Health Center since its founding 130 years ago. Today, volunteers serve as part of the Saint Vincent Auxiliary.

Volunteers are needed throughout the hospital from the medical wings to the administrative offices. The Saint Vincent Auxiliary is also looking for help in the planning of its yearly events.

As an added perk, volunteers receive free parking and discounts at Cafe Roses, the gift shop and the fitness center.

For more information and an application, visit Saint Vincent Health Center’s website.

UPMC Hamot

The UPMC Hamot Aid Society was founded in 1906 and currently has 250 volunteers giving more than 13,000 hours of their time to the hospital each year.

Aid Society members volunteer in the hospital, through fundraising efforts or by running community health education programs.

Member of the aid society pay dues on a yearly basis.

To learn more, contact Pam Haley at 814-877-3650 or e-mail her at Pamela.Haley@hamot.org.

Barber National Institute

The Barber National Institute offers volunteer opportunities designed to help patients with developmental disabilities.

Students in need of community service hours are also encouraged to volunteer.

For an application, click here.

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Please email all volunteer opportunity submissions to catherine.cloutier@timesnews.com.

 Graphic courtesy of Wikicommons

A former colleague alerted me to an article on GOOD.is asking its readers to research the people and organizations behind the issues about which they are passionate.

The task was part of GOOD.is’s #30daysofGOOD campaign.

The posting encouraged readers to:

Remember, no act is too small. Some people just need a ride to receive cancer treatment because they can’t afford a taxi. Some kids need a little help after school to get up to reading level or to understand that one math problem that’s holding them back. Someone in your neighborhood needs you.

And lucky for me (and you), it provided websites to bring those organizations to readers at the click of a mousepad.

I started with the Volunteer links. There weren’t any volunteer-related Meet-ups in Erie. The volunteer network HandsOn didn’t have any local listings. But Get Involved!, a volunteerism search engine, had some great ideas.

Here are a few as part of this week’s volunteer round-up:

1. Spread a little warmth

Project Linus of Northwest Pennsylvania needs homemade blankets to give to seriously ill or traumatized children.

Project Linus asks that blankets are quilted,  crochet, knitted, fleece or flannel, made of new materials and machine washable. Colors should be kid-friendly.

For more information, contact nwpa@projectlinus.org.

2. Counsel about Medicare

The Greater Erie Community Action Committee is looking for volunteers for its APPRISE Medicare counseling program.

Volunteers are trained to answer questions about Original Medicare, Medicaid, Medigap, long term care insurance and preventive care and have access to state and federal information and resources.

Interested? Contact APPRISE Coordinator, Gertrude Simmons at 459-4581 ext. 494.

3. Share the story of the Goodell Gardens

Docents at the Goodell Gardens give visitors walking tours of the grounds at the Edinboro historical homestead.

Volunteers will receive training on the history of the grounds and plants and recent flowerbed additions.

Hours range from two to six per week. Volunteers must be at least 15 years old.

Learn more at http://www.goodellgardens.org.

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Photo courtesy of GOOD.is

I’m a day late and I apologize, but here are this week’s volunteer opportunities:

Tax season is here

The United Way of Erie County is opening 16 Volunteer Tax Assistance (VITA) sites across Erie County on Wednesday. It is looking for volunteers to fulfill a number of roles at these sites.

Volunteers who prepare basic and intermediate tax returns are certified by the IRS. The United Way encourages those with tax experience to consider this volunteer opportunity. If you do not, training will be provided.

IRS certification is not required for all volunteer roles.

Here’s a video about VITA volunteering from the United Way’s website:

For a list of opportunities, training guides and more information, visit the United Way’s website.

Deliver Meals on Wheels

The Metro-Erie Meals on Wheels program serves food to 350 homebound elderly individuals, and it does so with the help of 100 volunteers. One hundred percent of its clients are served by volunteers.

Delivery takes place between 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., so mid-morning availability is key.

Volunteering days and frequency are flexible.

Learn more at the Meals on Wheels website.

Help those new to Erie

Catholic Charities is looking for volunteers in its Refugee Resettlement Program. Participants can volunteer in the language, transportation or education wings of the program.

Catholic Charities is also looking for able-bodied volunteers to help move refugees into new homes.

For more details and contact information, visit the Catholic Charities website.

As always, if you have an listings or suggestions, feel free to email me.

Graphic courtesy of Metro-Erie Meals on Wheels

I’m trying something new with Volunteer Erie. Each Monday, I will post a round-up of volunteer opportunities in Erie and Crawford counties. As always, if you have any suggestions, please email me at catherine.cloutier@timesnews.com.

1. Give blood

The Community Blood Bank in Erie is still at a dangerously low local blood supply.

Dan Desrochers, the director of Marketing at the blood bank, attributes the low blood supply to heavier use and a lighter stream of donors. He reported on Thursday that the blood bank has been forced to buy blood from other blood banks to help ease the shortage.

“Looks like we will really be struggling,” said Desrochers. “And with this being a nationwide shortage we are on our own.”

If you are over 17 (or 16 with parental consent) and at least 110 pounds, you can donate blood.

Visit the Community Blood Bank at 2646 Peach St. The blood bank is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Every pint counts!

2. Build a home

Greater Erie Area Habitat for Humanity is always looking for volunteers.

Spend a few hours this week hammering or sawing and help a local family fulfill dreams of home-ownership.

No experience is required. Habitat for Humanity will provide tools.

Shifts are available on Tuesday through Thursday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 12 p.m. and from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m.

Volunteering must be scheduled in advance. To sign up, click here.

3. Help your furry friends

The Broken Arrow Animal Sanctuary in Erie needs help taking care of their animals.

Tasks include feeding and grooming the animals, cleaning cages and facilities and trying to promote animal adoption.

If you don’t have time to volunteer, Broken Arrow Animal Sanctuary accepts donations.

Broken Arrow is a no-kill shelter. For more information about the shelter and how to get involved, visit their website.

CORRECTION: Broken Arrow Animal Sanctuary has closed. All the cats that were at the shelter are now at Orphan Angels Cat Sanctuary at 5439 West Lake Rd.  Orphan Angels Cat Sanctuary needs volunteers to do a variety of jobs. For more information, contact Eileen at (814) 504-3246.