Here’s how to help out by volunteering

Many volunteer opportunities are available locally for those who want to serve their community or help those who are less fortunate.

Here are some of the places seeking volunteer service this year:

Hospitals

  • Mercy Medical Center, 1512 12th Ave. S., Nampa. Programs such as Meals on Wheels and LifeLine rely on volunteer help. Volunteers also can serve as Mercy Express drivers or work at the gift shop, in patient care, the front and back desks and the hospice. Call the volunteer department at 463-5840.
  • West Valley Medical Center, 1717 Arlington Ave., Caldwell. Volunteers can provide general assistance in the emergency room, provide escort services for patients, make puppets and knitted caps for children and babies or work at the information desk, gift shop or LifeLine. Call the auxiliary office at 455-3830.
  • Terry Reilly Health Services, 223 16th Ave. N., Nampa. Through Terry Reilly’s Reach Out and Read program, volunteers can read to patients who are waiting in the waiting room. Call Cami Hunt at 467-4431, ext. 307.
  • St. Alphonsus Regional Medical Center, 1055 N. Curtis Road, Boise. A variety of customer service opportunities to provide patients with comfort, including the gift shop, health science library, medical information services, mail delivery and surgery waiting room, rely on volunteer help. Volunteers with a current CPR card can act as liaisons between patients, families and staff in the emergency room. Volunteers can also serve as floaters or do floor duty. Call 367-2111.
  • St. Luke’s Regional Medical Center, 190 E. Bannock St., Boise. Volunteers work as escorts, office assistants and tour guides, or work in a variety of offices including Pediatric Childlife, Neonatal, emergency room, Patient Family Support or hospice. To volunteer at any of our locations, call volunteer services at 381-2265.

Service organizations

  • American Red Cross, 254 S. Cole Rd., Boise. A humanitarian organization that provides relief to victims of disasters and helps people prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. Call Germaine Eslinger at 947-4357, ext. 205.
  • Big Brothers and Big Sisters of S.W. Idaho, 2995 N. Cole Rd., Boise. Matches children, ages 5-15 from single parent homes, with a volunteer adult who serves as a friend and positive role model. Call 377-2552.
    n Kiwanis Club — an international service club open to all interested persons 18 years or older, interested in projects to help young children. In Nampa, contact Sharon Hale at 467-9601.
  • Neighborhood Watch — Community club designed to prevent crime. Call Caldwell Police at 455-3115. Call Nampa Police at 465-2411. Ask for Nene Vigil.
  • Caldwell Optimists Club. A community service organization with a focus on serving youth. Call Bob Kafka at 459-2576 or 722-5162.
  • Respite Care — A volunteer program that allows a full-time caregiver to take a break for a few hours a week. Serves Canyon County, Marsing and Homedale. Call 459-0063.
  • Rotary Club — Call Dan Evans at 454-0535 for the morning group. In Caldwell call Leora Summers at 459-1344.
  • Soroptimists International — A service organization for executive women. Call Sharon Story at 467-9276 in Nampa. In Caldwell, call Pam Barnes at 454-1424.
  • United Way — Nonprofit fund-raising for social service agencies. 5420 W. Franklin, Boise. Call 336-1070.

Other opportunities
Most schools have volunteer opportunities available. Some have organized volunteer programs; other schools accept volunteers on an individual basis for a variety of needs. Contact your local school for more information.

All Canyon County fire departments except Nampa’s rely on volunteer firefighters. In fact, most county fire departments are all-volunteer. Contact your local fire department for more information.

The Idaho Center, 16200 Can-Ada Rd., recruits volunteers to work as ushers, greeters and security. Other volunteers assist with ticket taking, mailing, yard work, janitorial and secretarial duties. Call 442-3207 for more information.

United Way assists many local charities
The Treasure Valley United Way provides assistance to more than 100 partner agencies that make a difference in people’s lives.

United Way donations are used to further six major goals:

  • Addressing the needs of housing and working to end homelessness.
  • Fostering self-sufficiency and fighting poverty.
  • Ensuring safety and security in our communities.
  • Improving the health and well-being of citizens.
  • Contributing to programs and services that strengthen youth and provide them with an environment that nurtures success.
  • Providing neighborhood connections.

In 2002, the local United Way raised $4.92 million to help improve the quality of life for thousands of Treasure Valley residents.

Two ways you can help: Donate your time or make a financial contribution.

Several local companies conduct fund-raising campaigns each year, or you can give directly.

For information on how to donate or learn more about the many United Way agencies, visit the local Web site at www.unitedwaytv.org or call 336-1070.

This guide was produced by the Idaho Press-Tribune news staff. For questions or suggestions, call Assistant Managing Editor David Woolsey at 465-8112 or e-mail newsroom@idahopress.com.