With the beautiful weather Kootenai County has seen recently, nonprofits in the area are taking advantage of this time to Spring Clean early, and to get prepared for their busy volunteering season. All around town, community members are cleaning out their garages and donating to thrift stores, working to prep community gardens, catch up on wood chopping for seniors, and cleaning up neighborhoods and local play areas a little earlier than usual. With this comes the demand for more volunteers.

April is National Volunteer Month, which is just around the corner. With warmer weather comes a desire to get outside and there is no better way to make a difference in your community than to volunteer. Unpaid volunteers are often the glue that holds a community together. According to Jeanne Segal, Ph.D., "Helping out with the smallest tasks can make a real difference to the lives of people, animals, and organizations in need. And volunteering is a two-way street: It can benefit you and your family as much as the cause you choose to help. Dedicating your time as a volunteer helps you make new friends, expand your network, and boost your social skills."

Here is a tip to get started volunteering: Ask yourself if there is something specific you want to do. For example: Do I want to make it better around where I live? To meet people who are different from me? To try something new? To do something with my spare time? To see a different way of life and new places? To have a go at the type of work I might want to do as a full-time job? To do more with my interests and hobbies? Or, to do something I'm good at?

The best way to have a good volunteer experience is to match your personality and interests. Having answers to these questions will help you narrow down your search (Source: World Volunteer Web). Once you have answered these questions, visit United Way of Kootenai County's Volunteer Center at www.koonteiaunitedway.org. Here, you can view local opportunities that target your interests and serve your community. There is something for everyone and all ages of volunteers are welcome. So GET OUT! HAVE FUN! AND GIVE BACK!

National Volunteer Week is April 12-18 and Global Youth Service day is April 17-19. SAVE THE DATE: May 6 for the Kootenai County Young Professionals' Volunteer Fair sponsored by United Way of Kootenai County. More information coming soon!

Volunteer Opportunities: Play with a purpose

Ready! for Kindergarten is a quality informational training program FREE for North Idaho parents. FREE child care is provided on site during the class with a licensed child care provider. Child care helpers are needed to engage children in positive activities and assist with supervision.

Veterans Stand Down 2015: A one-day Stand Down for Veterans who need help or are homeless in North Idaho will be held on Saturday, May 9. This event is designed to bridge many of the barriers between service providers and recipients. Primary emphasis is placed on the creation of an event in which homeless Veterans are treated with respect and given the opportunity to relax, interact with peers and volunteers while receiving much needed services. Volunteers will assist with registration, support overall event activities, and handout surplus.

For more information on how to register for these volunteer opportunities, visit www.kootenaiunitedway.org, click on the "VOLUNTEER" link to view this listing and other volunteer opportunities in YOUR community, or contact Jeanette Laster at United Way of Kootenai County, (208) 667-8112, Ext. 101.

Get Connected!

The United Way of Kootenai County Volunteer Center

GET CONNECTED!

* "One-Stop Volunteer Resource Center" for the whole community

* Ongoing and one-time volunteer opportunities

* TAKE ACTION

(208) 667-8112

Visit the United Way's Volunteer Center website: www.kootenaiunitedway.org

ADVOCATE. VOLUNTEER