Created and Maintained in conjunction with D.O.V.I.A. (Directors of Volunteers in Agencies)

WLOS' community service program, G.I.F.T. (Getting Involved For Tomorrow,) encourages you to get personally involved in making your community a better place. Contact one of the following agencies and get involved for tomorrow today.

Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter Red Cross: Please consider helping the American Red Cross with its lifesaving mission. The Asheville-Mountain Area Chapter has volunteer opportunities available in the following areas: Blood Services greeters and canteen assistants, distribution drivers, VA Medical Center volunteers, Health and Safety instructors, Foreign Language Bank interpreters, Disaster Action Team volunteers, and many more. Short and long term opportunities are available to work with your schedule. Orientation information sessions are offered the first Wednesday at noon and the third Wednesday at 5:30. To schedule and for information please call 258-3888, ext.205.

Asheville Area Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center: Volunteers needed to meet and greet visitors in a brand new state of the arts facility, give directions, and make recommendations for accommodations and activities. Learn about and share the exciting things our community has to offer to visitors and residents! Opportunities available seven days a week in four hour shifts. Contact: Phyllis Fiscus, 258-6100 or James Pace 258-6103.

Asheville Area Habitat for Humanity: Come join with community volunteers and Habitat partner families as wework together to build decent, safe and affordable houses for familiesliving in inadequate housing. Opportunities are available at our construction site or in the Habitat Home Store, which helps to fund thehouses. Volunteer orientations are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. For information, contact Ally Donlan at 251-5702 or adonlan@ashevillehabitat.org.

Asheville Art Museum: The museum resources are used to educate the public about 20th and 21st century American Art, through exhibits, programs, and publications. If you would like to be involved in a fulfilling project and be a part of our staff using your skills, talents, and expertise to help fulfill the mission of the Museum, then the Asheville Art Museum is the place for you! Volunteers are needed in many areas: On-site docents, special events and program volunteers, front desk volunteers, and behind the scenes volunteers. Training and materials are provided by the Museum. A record is kept of your volunteer service for work, school, or community support purposes. All volunteers are eligible for a 20%discount in the Museum Shop and are invited to participate in appreciation programs. To receive a Volunteer Application, phone: 828-253-3227 x110 or email jstanden@ashevilleart.org or write: Jeffrie Lynn Standen, PO Box 1717, Asheville, NC, 28802.

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry: ABCCM Crisis Ministry with 4 locations provides emergency assistance for individuals/families in crisis. Volunteer Opportunties include receptionist, counselor, telephone operator, clerical worker, computer operator, clothing room worker, food pantry worker or warehouse worker. ABCCM Jail Ministry brings hope and direction to prisoners seeking to reenter the community in a safe/responsible manner.Volunteers needed as mentors, event sponsors, tutors, Bible study / group discussion leader. ABCCM Shelter Ministry- with 2 locations provides temporary emergency shelter for individuals/families needing a temporary safe-haven before moving back in the community. . Volunteers needed as cook teams, receptionist, clerical worker, computer operator, shelter manager, activity leader or counselor. ABCCM Medical Ministry- provides health care services for the uninsured/underinsured people of Buncombe Co. Medical, dental, pharmacy and other specialty support services are available. Volunteers opportunites include physician, dentist, nurse, pharmacist, dental assistant, pharmacy tech, receptionist, clerical worker, computer operator. Contact: Cheryl Wilson 259-5300, ext. 327, cwilson@abccm.org

Asheville City Schools Foundation: The Foundation provides tutors and mentors in most Asheville City Schools. Time commitment is one or two hours per week, during school hours. Training is provided. We are a member agency of the A-B Education Coalition. Contact Linda Wells 350-6135.

Foster Grandparent Program: The Foster Grandparent Program at Land-of-Sky Regional Council is looking for volunteers 60 years and older who meet income requirements to serve special needs/at-risk children in local schools and daycares. A modest stipend and mileage reimbursement is paid each month. For more information, contact Stacy Friesland at 828-251-6622, or toll-free at 1-800-727-0557.

Girl Scouts of WNC Pisgah Council: You're Never Too Old To Be A Girl Scout Whatever your age, whatever your personality type, whatever your experience and skill-set - girls in Asheville and Buncombe County need you as a role model and volunteer. Whether you are a stay-at-home mom, an up- and-coming young professional, an established entrepreneur, or a retiree looking for away to help girls grow into strong, independent, character-driven women, the Girl Scouts is the place for you .Girls ages 6-17 need troop leaders, advisors, and mentors like you who can create a fun environment for them to gain courage, confidence and character. Women with all skill-sets are needed whether you enjoy cooking, fashion, the arts, making crafts, enjoy hiking and biking, sports, or want to share your expertise in any area. You can work with any age level from helping Daisies (kindergartners) begin to explore the world around them to helping a middle school or high school girl earn a bronze, silver, or gold award and begin to move toward greater independence and responsibility. If you have even 2 hours a week, you can become a troop leader - or if you have less available time, serve as an advisor, assistant troop leader or troop specialist.
Are you more interested in working with other adults to support Girl Scout activities? Girl Scouts also needs adult volunteers with administrative, marketing, leadership and financial skills to serve as service unit team members in volunteer positions like Service Unit Manager, Service Unit Communications Representative, Cookie Chair, SU Registrar, as well asfund-raisers.Call Patsy Rodriguez, Field Executive at 828-252-4442 , or 800-522-6280 (NC Toll free), prodriguez@girlscoutswnc.org or visit us on-line at www.girlscoutswnc.org. Girl Scouts of Western North Carolina Pisgah Council serves 15 counties For more information about the Girl Scouts of WNC Pisgah Council, contact: Susie Mamola, Director, Membership & Marketing, 828-252-4442 or 800-522-6280 ext. 307 smamola@girlscoutswnc.org.Participate in the 2006 WNC Girl Scout Cookie Cook-Off- Feb. 24-March 20! Visit our website at www.girlscoutswnc.org for a list of participating restaurants and bakeries. Girl Scout Cookies are on sale now for just $3/box!

Helpmate: a domestic violence agency working with our community to eliminate abuse and fear, is looking for volunteers to assist with their 24 hour crisis line, court advocacy program, childcare at weekly support groups, language interpretation, administrative assistance, maintenance at theiremergency shelter and fundraisers. The next volunteer training will be in September 2006. If interested in volunteering with Helpmate, go to their website to download a volunteer application: www.helpmateonline.org. Please send the completed application to the address listed on the website.

INTERLACE: a transitional housing program for families made homeless by domestic violence.. Interlace needs trained volunteers to conduct quarterly home inspections, provide home maintenance, and otherwise help with property management Call Betsy Warren at 252-1155 for more information.

Kindness Campaign, Asheville: The Kindness Campaign has the mission of creating communities of kindness in businesses, schools, neighborhoods, families. The Kind and Safe Schools Initiative brings anti-bullying and character education programs into the schools. Volunteers are needed for outreach at festivals and grocery stores, staffing information tables and handing out Kindness buttons. The Police and Community Relations Action Team seeks volunteers to assist in improving police-community relations. Volunteers are sought for a speakers' bureau; trainees will accompany Dr. Barry Weinhold on his speaking engagements to assist and learn how to make presentations to civic groups. Other projects include "Kind businesses" and "Kindness volunteers" in the schools. Time commitments are flexible. Call 252-3054.

Literacy Council of Buncombe County: provides adults with free individual or small-group tutoring to improve English speaking and/or literacy skills.We need more volunteer tutors! No prior tutoring/ teaching experience or second language proficiency necessary. We provide tutor training and ongoing support. Please call Erin at 254-3442 or visit www.main.nc.us/literacy for more information.

MANNA FoodBank: Provides food and resources to 350 non-profit agencies in 16 WNC counties. Help sort food for these agencies. Also needed are volunteers to visit member agencies (flexible times and mileage reimbursement); help with MANNA's fresh produce program or Kids Café. Join MANNA's Speakers Bureau to spread the word about MANNA. Please call Karen Etheredge: 299-3663 ext 232.

Meals On Wheels: Currently has a waiting list of local senior citizens waiting to receive daily meals. Volunteers are the life-line of the Meals On Wheels program and more are needed to deliver local routes. There are 38 routes throughout all areas of Buncombe County. Asheville city routes are picked up at the MOW office, while meals bound for outlying areas are picked up at one of 13 drop-off points countywide. Training is provided. Route delivery takes approximately 1-2 hours during the late morning each weekday; scheduling is flexible. Office assistance and special event volunteers are also needed. Please call (828) 253-5286 or email aubry.good@mowabc.org to inquire.

Retired and Senior Volunteer Program RSVP: Retired and Senior Volunteer Program at Land-of-Sky Regional Council recruits and places volunteers age 55 and older in non-profit and local government agencies throughout Buncombe, Madison, Henderson, and Transylvania Counties. Volunteers needs include: people to transport elderly to necessary appointments - mileage reimbursement is provided; hospital volunteers for various positions; volunteers for several local law enforcement offices; tutors/mentors. NEW OPPORTUNITY: Volunteers to assist with disaster preparedness. Receive free training, then help others ready themselves for a disaster. For details on these and other opportunities, contact Connie Pegg at 828-251-6622, or call toll-free 1-800-727-0557, or you may email Connie at connie@landofsky.org.

The Lewis Rathbun Center: A hospital hospitality house in Kenilworth, providing lodging and a supportive environment to out of town families with patients in area hospitals is welcoming new volunteers to our Front Desk to train as substitutes for 3 hour shifts available nights (6-9pm) and weekends- any shift (9-12n, 12-3pm,3-6pm,6-9pm). If you are interested in becoming part of our "home away from home" for families with patients in the hospital, contact Ann Whisenhunt, House Director, at 251-0595 or e-mail annlrc@bellsouth.net.

The Salvation Army: We are looking for volunteers that love the outdoors and enjoy light gardening. Our landscaping at the Center of Hope is in need of some creativity and TLC. Spring and summer. Do you have enough experience painting walls and trim so that you can help us maintain cleanliness and the overall appearance of our Family Shelter? Bring your team! Areas needing paint are our shelter rooms, the Family Lounge, the hallway and offices. The work needs to be done twice a year. Hours available are 9-5 including scheduled weekends. Food Pantry needs volunteers. If you have an hour or two a month and would like to make a difference in the local community your help organizing and making up food bags would be a great start. Choose your own hours between 9:00 and 5:00 at the Center of Hope. How about considering collecting items needed for our food pantry and shelter. Involve a group's creative ideas to sponsor a non-perishable food drive, blanket drive, or HUGS (hats/underwear/gloves/socks) drive. Thrift Store Volunteers assist in sorting, tagging, and hanging donated clothing and pricing household items. The Salvation Army Boys and Girls Club is looking for volunteers to assist with their after school program as Tutors, Instructional athletics- Coaching/ Recreation, Power Hour (Homework) and Mentors. Requirements include Volunteer application and background check. contact: Marilyn Storey, 828-253-4723, merstorey2@aol.com.

Senior Companion Program: The Senior Companion Program at Land-of-Sky Regional Council is looking for volunteers age 60 and older who meet income requirements to assist other seniors remain living independently in their own homes. Senior Companions provide other seniors with companionship, assist with transportation to appointments, assist with grocery shopping, among other tasks. If you are interested in being a Senior Companion, contact Tracy Ash at 828-251-6622, or toll-free at 1-800-727-0557.

Southern Highland Craft Guild/Folk Art Center: Volunteers needed as gallery attendants. Volunteers also needed for special events including two annual craft fairs at the Asheville Civic Center. Contact: Jim Sugrue at 298-2514X313 or jim@craftguild.org.

United Way's Volunteer Center: United Way's Volunteer Center: Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is a program of United Way's Volunteer Center that is designed to engage busy people in volunteer opportunities at a variety of different projects within the community. This program gives you the opportunity to volunteer when you have time, and with projects that interest you. Hands On Asheville-Buncombe offers opportunities for volunteers of any age, individuals or small groups, and with no minimum time commitment. Many projects are offered in the evenings and on weekends, making it easy for busy people to make a difference in the community. If you prefer a longer commitment, Hands On is always looking for individuals who are interested in leading projects in the community. To get more information about Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, please call United Way's Volunteer Center at 255-0696 or visit www.volunteerasheville.com

VA Medical Center: seeks interested individuals, youth, and families to serve in a variety of volunteer opportunities ranging from patient contact to non patient contact. Please contact Voluntary Service (Darlene Laughter or Tom DeFrange) at 828-299-2514.

Western Alliance, Center for Independent Living-CyberPal Program: Join us in providing communication, and research opportunities to individuals with significant disabilities in your community! We are seeking volunteers with computer skills/knowledge to teach Internet, email, or to provide tech support. Volunteer positions are available for the following counties: Buncombe, Henderson, McDowell, Madison, Transylvania, Polk, Rutherford. Contact: Mechelle Holt at 274-0444.