Marysville volunteer opportunities

• Volunteers needed for the Taste of Decadence fundraiser on May 2, in Arlington. Volunteer for a 2-5 hour time-frame according to availability and schedule. Jobs include table host, decorating, silent auction set up, dessert check in and clean up. Proceeds help north Snohomish County adults who have disabilities achieve their highest potential at home, work and in community life. Call Michelle Date at 360-653-7752 ext. 14 .

• The Equine Rescue Association in Marysville, is urgently seeking help. They have served the local horse community since 1997, but, as with many non-profit groups this past year, financial support has lagged. Today’s economic climate has inhibited spending and the many natural disasters of 2007 have diverted some of their normal donations; in addition, feed costs have skyrocketed and they are stretched too thin for their 29 horses. The need is immediate. For questions about donations contact equinerescue@tulalipbroadband.net or 360-658-5494.

• Mayor Dennis Kendall is seeking individuals interested in filling a vacancy on the seven-member Marysville Planning Commission. The term for this position expires in August 2011. Applicants must reside within city limits or the city’s urban growth area, which generally mirror Marysville School District boundaries. The commissioners serve as an advisory board to the Mayor and City Council on issues such as land use, critical areas and shoreline management planning and long-range planning issues. The commission meets at 7 p.m. the second and fourth Tuesday each month in City Hall, 1049 State Ave. Other meetings may be scheduled as necessary.

• The Marysville Community Food Bank is again in need of volunteers. If you are looking for fulfillment by helping others, for new friendships and being appreciated please consider volunteering. One hour or two; some of our needs are Thursday and Fridays, 8-11 a.m., strong backs to help unload trucks; Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, 8-11 a.m., drivers of vans or pick ups to go to local stores to pick up donations (mileage is reimbursed); Wednesday afternoon cleaning (mopping the floor, vacuuming), this could be a professional service paid for by a local church/business contribution or a couple people who have 2 hours of time and energy; finally, help with data entry on the computer. For information call Joyce at 360-658-1054.

• Director of Retired Activities Office (RAO). This position is at the Fleet and Family Support Center at the Navy Complex, Smokey Point, Marysville. The mission of the RAO is to provide information for retired members of all the armed forces and their dependents. You will oversee a staff of 10 volunteers, all being retired military or widows of retired military members. A basic knowledge of military procedures, practices, benefits and computers is necessary.

• The Marysville Police Department needs seniors to help fight crime in its Seniors Against Crime program. Volunteers 55 and older get First Aid and CPR training and learn how to use the police radio. Volunteers must pass a background check and be able to physically perform the duties as required. Call John McAlpine, RSVP Coordinator, 425-257-2111 ext. 3374 or email JohnM@ccsww.org.

• Leaders are needed for Girl Scout troops for ages 5-17. Volunteers can work directly with girls as a troop leader, work with management teams or work in the office. Call 1-877-822-9435, email northerncounties@ girlscoutsww.org or visit 1331 State Ave. Suite A, Marysville.

• The Greater Marysville Tulalip Chamber of Commerce is looking for volunteer staff at the Visitor Information Center, in Quil Ceda Village across from Wal Mart, is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., seven days a week. Four-hour shifts (with some flexibility) available. Contact Bill at 360-659-7700 or BillW@MarysvilleTulalipChamber.com

Arlington volunteer opportunities

• Volunteers with interest in music and/or the arts wanted. Be a visiting musician at Village Community Services’ weekly ‘Friday Music’ jam session, facilitate an arts and craft project, or mentor a musician who has a disability. To volunteer contact Michelle at 360-653-7752 ext. 14 or visit Friday Music 1 – 3 p.m. every Friday at the Arlington United Church, 4th & McLeod.

• The city of Arlington has a variety of openings for volunteers. Volunteer firefighters are needed and no experience is required and training will be provided. Volunteers are also needed for the planning commission and the airport commission. The planning commission reviews land-use issues before they go to City Council and the airport commission guides management of the airport so candidates should have some kind of aviation knowledge and/or experience. Commissioners must be residents inside the city limits but that is not a requirement for firefighters. Applications for all positions are available at City Hall. For information call 360-403-3441.

• Volunteers with interest in music and/or the arts wanted. Be a visiting musician at Village Community Services’ weekly ‘Friday Music’ jam session, facilitate an arts and craft project or mentor a musician who has a disability. To volunteer or for information about the Village Music and Arts program contact Michelle at 360-653-7752 ext. 14.

• Purrfect Pals, a no-kill cat shelter based in Arlington, is looking for some exceptional gardens to feature on a garden tour in the Marysville, Smokey Point, Lake Stevens, or Stanwood areas. This garden tour in late May or June would promote a cats/garden theme and would be a fundraiser for the cat shelter, which adopts out 2,000+ cats each year. For more information, www.purrfectpals.org, email Kathy at reception@purrfectpals.org, or call her at 360-618-0417.

• The City of Arlington is looking for an individual who lives within Arlington city limits and is interested in serving on the planning commission to fill an unexpired term until April 1, 2009. Applications are available on the City’s website at www.ci.arlington.wa.us or at City Hall. Questions about the position may be directed to Bill Blake, Interim Community Development Manager at bblake@ci.arlington.wa.us or 360-403-3440.

• Stillaguamish Senior Center needs volunteers for bingo on Tuesdays and Fridays and van drivers for special events and to deliver food for the food bank Mondays. Call Karen at 360-653-4551 ext. 228.

• Arlington Food Bank needs drivers once a week and people to hand out food on Tuesdays and Fridays, 6 – 7 p.m. Call 360-435-1631 or stop by 127 1/2 W. Cox, Fridays, 1 – 2 p.m. and Tuesdays, 6 – 7 p.m.

• Kids’ Kloset needs helpers to stock the shop as well as people to help distribute clothing and hygiene products to children, pre-school through 12th grade in Arlington, Lakewood and Darrington. Call Linda Dussault at 360-387-5270 or Kimberly Meno at 360-403-8696.

• Purrfect Pals, the Arlington cat shelter, is looking for volunteers to drive cats to partner pet stores across Puget Sound. Call Kathy at 360-618-0417.

• Sarvey Wildlife Rescue needs volunteers over age 14 to help care for injured animals. For information www.sarveywildlife.org or call 360-435-4817.

• The Arlington-Smokey Point Chamber of Commerce, 360-659-5453, needs volunteers for officer work, phones and special projects; the Visitor Information Center, 360-657-2326, needs volunteers for helping tourists with brochures, maps and directions; both are located at 3710 168th Street NE Suite C-101, Arlington.

Volunteer opportunities in general

• The Monroe Community Concert Band is looking for percussion players to play all types of percussion instruments. They need timpani and percussion players. Practice is Thursday evenings, 7 – 9 p.m. in Monroe at the New Hope Fellowship Church, 1016 W. Main St. High school level or better skills and can read music, contact Roger Walker at 360-691-5310 or at monroeconcertband@gmail.com.

• Mother’s Against Drunk Driving needs volunteers in Snohomish County. Call 800-927-6080 or 888-364-6233 or visit maddpnw.org.

• Snohomish County elementary schools need volunteer reading tutors. Contact Linda Jorve, Washington Reading Corps at 425-257-2111 ext. 3318 or lindaj@ccsww.org.

• The Senior Peer Counseling program is looking for volunteers aged 55 and older to provide counseling support to seniors who are struggling to cope with life transitions. Volunteer training ongoing. Call 425-290-1252 or email rholsinger@sssc.org.

• Housing Hope seeks volunteer builders. Call Jenny Cline, Housing Hope’s Community Relations Manager, at 425-347-6556.

• Catholic Community Services in Everett is seeking families of diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds to become licensed to provide either long-term or short-term foster care. Call Donna Witte at 425-257-2111 for more information.

• The Volunteer Transportation Program at Catholic Community Services is looking for volunteers to drive clients to doctor appointments and other essential errands. A safe running vehicle, up to date minimum insurance coverage, a clean driving record are required. Call 425-257-2111 x3374 or email volunteerinfo@ccsww.org.

• The Snohomish County Chapter of the American Red Cross is looking for volunteers to assist in response to disasters and other local emergencies as Disaster Action Team members. Training will be provided in CPR, first aid and other disaster-oriented courses. For information, contact Richard at volcoord@snohomishcountyredcross.org or 425-740-2330.

• The Red Cross needs volunteers to serve as case managers and emergency communication workers at the Naval Station in Everett. Opportunities are also available for volunteers to work at home during after-hours for on-call assignments about one week per month. For more information, contact Bev Walker, AFES director, at 425-304-4476 or 425-252-4103, ext. 20. Contact Elizabeth Grant at elizabeth.grant@co.snohomish.wa.us.

• AFS students come from more than 40 countries and represent many different cultural and socioeconomic backgrounds. Local AFS Volunteers enroll students in high school and support students and their families to help both gain the most from their experience. In addition to host families, AFS needs people who are interested in becoming volunteer liaisons to work locally with families and their hosted students. Anyone interested in learning more about hosting or volunteering with AFS should visit www.afs.org/usa/hostfamily or call 1-800-237-4636. AFS Intercultural Programs/USA is a nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization.