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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

GRAY GOURMET If you are looking for a fun and rewarding volunteer experience, join the great team at Gray Gourmet.  If you can give just 2-3 hours on one regularly scheduled day each week, you can make a difference as a home delivery driver or as a volunteer at one of our nine area dining sites.  It’s a great opportunity to meet new friends and participate in a wonderful program that serves seniors right here in our own valley.  We provide a complimentary meal on the day that you volunteer and mileage reimbursement is available for our drivers at 50-1/2 cents per mile.  If you like to travel, no problem!  Just let us know when you will be gone and we will arrange for a sub to fill in for you.  For more information or to volunteer, call Sandy Miller at 243-9844, ext. 2.

MACHO GROUP (Men Against Cancer Helping Others) is an educational men’s group, helping themselves and others live more effectively with cancer as patients, survivors and caregivers.  Meets on the second and fourth Wednesday of the month from 5:00 – 6:30 PM at Java City in the Medical Pavilion Snack Bar at St. Mary’s Regional Cancer Center.  The Center is located at 750 Wellington Street. No reservation needed. Just drop in and enjoy refreshments, guest speakers and fellowship with other men who are also dealing with all types of cancer.  For more information, call Debra Hesse (243-7262), Lloyd Davis (255-1862) or Bill Hill (255-9900).  Sponsored by St. Mary’s Hospital’s LIVESSTRONG Survivorship Program and The Lance Armstrong Foundation.

AARP Tax-Aide Program  Consider volunteering for the AARP sponsored Tax-Aide Program that provides free federal and state tax preparation for low-to-middle income taxpayers, especially seniors.  The returns are computer-generated, using an easy-to-use tax program called “Tax Wise” with training on computers conducted for four days in early January 2009.  Actual tax preparations start February 2 at several sites in the Grand Junction area. One site is open Saturday.  Most volunteers work a 9-12 or 12-3 shift once or twice a week (i.e., Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday & Thursday).  How often and how long a person works is entirely up to each individual.  Volunteers do not necessarily need a particular background or have had tax experience, nor is membership in  AARP required. Counselors are not legally responsible for the returns and are not asked to do a return they are uncomfortable with.  Taxpayers with complex returns are advised to seek professional assistance.  The means and ability to do email are important as this is the primary way coordinators and volunteers communicate.  Contact John Nelson at 523-8083 for more information.

VOLUNTEERS 55+ NEEDED!   Mesa County RSVP, Inc., provides volunteer positions for persons 55+ in a wide variety of fields to more than 100 non-profit agencies.  For more information about volunteer opportunities, please call RSVP at 243-9839.  Listed below are ongoing volunteer requests:

• MESA COUNTY DHS Support Our Seniors (SOS) Program is looking for a van driver to transport seniors to various destinations.
• •AARP needs a Special Events Volunteer to help organize events and a Volunteer Recruiter Specialist to develop an AARP recruitment plan.
• •MESA COUNTY ANIMAL SERVICES needs a clerk for data entry, filing, and general office duties.play piano, etc).
• COLORADO WELCOME CENTER - FRUITA is looking for Travel Counselors
• ATRIUM SENIOR RESIDENCE needs two volunteers to teach basic email computer skills.
• EAGLE RIDGE OF THE GRAND VALLEY needs people to play soft guitar music during dinner as well as people to play cards with the residents.
• WESTERN COLORADO AREA HEALTH EDUCTION CENTER is looking for an Administrative Assistant with computer skills (Access, Excel, Word, etc.)
• THE MESA COUNTY DA’s OFFICE is seeking legal clerks to help with attorney paperwork.
• MUSCULAR DYSTROPHY ASSOCIATION is seeking volunteer office support, including help with assembling packets of educational information.
• ALZHEIMER’S ASSOCIATION needs a Helpline Follow-up Volunteer to talk to caregivers who have called the Helpline.
• CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE is seeking a van driver for their low-vision support group meetings.

Share the Joy

Dotti Miller said she needs help in November and December with delivering gift certificates to families recommended by the Salvation Army.  Let Dottie know if you can assist (255-9964).