"For the organizations, we're all losing money each year. Volunteers help us able to continue services to people."
The Davis County Volunteer Center operates a Web site, www.volunteersolutions
.org/dc/volunteer, that links residents to more than 80 volunteer opportunities available through 48 agencies throughout the county including the Boys and Girl's Club of Weber/Davis and Antelope Island State Park.
Browsing is encouraged, with searches available by time, area, and specific volunteering interest. The volunteer opportunities are updated regularly by people within the represented agencies.
According to Aslett, hits on the site grow by about 300 to 400 a month, with about 3,500 people actually visiting the site last month. Though it's impossible to track how many of these hits translate into volunteer positions, but Aslett feels that the information itself is important.
"Other people have databases, but we're the most comprehensive," she said. "We have no special interests, and don't target to anyone but those who want to help."
People looking for a less overwhelming range of choices can go to the Community of Promise, a group based in Woods Cross, needs volunteers for all of the nine city agencies they sponsor, ranging from neighborhood beautification to emergency preparedness.
A favorite program for volunteers of all ages, however, is the summer youth program, where volunteers come out once a week to read to local kinds and help them complete crafts. Last year, the program averaged about 230 kids a week.
Though many of the group's volunteers are from Woods Cross, Community of Promise welcomes help from all over the county. Anyone interested should call 295-4287.
"I love giving back to the community," said Ruth Payne, who heads up the Community of Promise. "They've done so much for me and my family I feel I owe them something in return."
For those looking for a more immediate chance to offer a helping hand, the Bountiful Community Food Pantry is the place to call. The group received 75,000 pounds of donated food from March's scouting drive, and would welcome any assistance in sorting through what pantry director of operations Dorothy Willhite refers to as a "warehouse full of food."
For two hours - either from 10 a.m. to noon or from 6 to 8 p.m. - volunteers are needed to sort through the pantry's food stores and make up the bags that are given to families in need.
Other volunteers are out in front taking care of the people who come in. A brief training is available for all positions, though Willhite says several people make return trips.
"We get youth groups in here, but it's the grown-ups who love it," she said. "We enjoy what we're doing or we wouldn't get up every day and come here."
jwardell@davisclipper.com
Post a Comment
