Story and Photos by Barbara Bellinger
The dictionary defines a volunteer as being a person who freely offers to take part in an enterprise or undertake a task.
What the definition fails to mention is the feeling that accompanies performing such an enterprise or task. Volunteering provides students with not only new activities to put on their resumes, but also with a feeling of pride, ownership and belonging to a community that many are living in for the first time.
University of Oregon students looking for opportunities to give back to the community have a plethora of option. From helping animals and playing with children to saving the local flora, the Eugene area has a volunteer activity for everyone.
 
UO’s Service Learning Program
With so many alternatives, a great place to start the search for your perfect volunteer fit is right here on campus. The Service Learning Program has volunteer opportunities locally, nationally and internationally. Many UO students volunteered for the SLP’s MLK Jr. Day of Service. If you want to get your hands dirty, the habitat enhancement projects are for you. SLP also offers for-credit seminars, which include 30 hours of community service. Volunteer AND get course credit!
 
For more information:  http://serve.uoregon.edu/Students.aspx
 
Womenspace
Volunteers at Womenspace support the organization’s mission of domestic violence prevention through a myriad of services. Some of these include working with clients, answering phones for the crisis line and volunteering for support groups, LGTBQ outreach and community events.
For more information call (541) 485-8232 or email [email protected]
 
Food for Lane County
No matter how crazy your schedule is this term, Food for Lane County can accommodate it. Although much of their volunteer activity occurs during the week, weekend events and activities in the evening, such as the Family Dinner, allow for early birds and night owls alike.
Green thumbs are always welcome at the Grassroot Gardens where volunteers harvest and package veggies while learning nutrition and gardening skills.
For information contact Sheyla Norte at (541) 343-2822, e-mail [email protected], or visit their website at http://www.foodforlanecounty.org/en/how_to_help/volunteer/.
 
Boys and Girls Club of Western Lane County
Do you enjoy working with at-risk youth? Then being a “big-sister” or “big-brother” might be the volunteer activity you are looking for. The Westmoreland location reopened on January 4^th, 2012. It is the perfect time to give them a call.
For more information call (541) 345-9939 or visit their website at http://bgcev.net/contact.asp.
 
Head Start of Lane County:
HSOLC has many great volunteer opportunities including helping in the classroom and playground, translating for ELL students and their parents, going on field trips and helping run events. HSOLC provides much needed developmental and educational services to “pregnant moms, babies, toddlers, preschoolers and their families, who live in poverty and struggle to meet the basic needs of life.”
For more information call (541) 747-2425 or visit their website at http://www.hsolc.org/volunteers.
 
Eugene Marathon
Have you always wanted to be in a marathon, but want to do it without having to do all that running stuff? Volunteer! Eugene Marathon 2012 (April 28 and 29) needs volunteers for event preparation, the Health & Fitness Expo and race day itself.
Volunteers receive an official t-shirt and can forever brag about “running” a marathon.
For more information visit their website at http://www.eugenemarathon.com/volunteer/.
 
Willamalane Park and Recreation District in Springfield
Volunteer activities range from entertaining with children at the Kids Club or in elementary school rooms to special events, outdoor concerts and helping at the Teen Center.
Many UO students volunteered for the Willamalane Park and Recreation District on Martin Luther King Jr. Day. They played with mentally disabled children and planted trees and and plants to improve habitat in the Whilamut Natural Area of Alton Baker Park.
For information on volunteering call Ashlee Dixon at (541) 736-4520 or visit their website at http://willamalane.org.
 
City of Eugene
Parks and Open Space
Want to volunteer and get some exercise? Need some fresh air? City of Eugene has several volunteer programs that will cure your winter malaise. Volunteers for the City plant street trees, work on park projects, help restore and care for the city’s streams and waterways and maintain the trails and gardens at Hendricks Park.
For more information visit their website at http://www.eugene-or.gov/portal/server.pt?space=CommunityPage&control=SetCommunity&CommunityID=319&PageID=3780.
 
Library
Are you a bookworm in AND out of class? Do your bookshelves sag under the weight of tattered, well-read classics? Volunteers at the library get to share their love of books with others. From working with youth, clerking at the library’s used book store or welcoming people at the Information Desk, the library could use your help.
If you would like to volunteer, the library asks that you first fill out an application form at the Information Desk at the Downtown Library, or at the Bethel or Sheldon Branch Library. The volunteer coordinator will then contact applicants as new openings come available.
For more information call the volunteer coordinator at (541) 682-6617 or e-mail [email protected].
 
Eugene Police Department
It might seem strange to volunteer for the local police force and then attend a fraternity party on Saturday night, but the two need not be mutually exclusive. The EPD welcomes anyone who desires to volunteer for Eugene Police Department’s Volunteers in Policing Program. As the EPD’s website points out, “When citizens [that includes us!] who receive police services are helping to design, prioritize, and even deliver services, a closer connection is made between the Police Department and the public.”
For more information contact Carrie Chouinard by phone (541) 682-5355 or e-mail [email protected]; or visit their website at http://www.eugene-or.gov/.
 
Lane Blood Center
We all need blood to survive. But, most of us who are healthy can afford to give up a pint or two every two months. Blood reserves consistently fall under the daily requirement. Giving blood is easy and quick and it can save someone’s life.
For more information call(541) 484-9111 or email [email protected]. Or, volunteer on campus for the UO Blood Drive Association at e-mail [email protected].
 
Humane Society
Did you leave your furry friend behind this year? Want a kitty or puppy but your RA won’t allow it? The Humane Society provides you with the perfect solution. Help homeless canines and felines find their forever homes while getting your cuddle-fix.
 
To find local opportunities go to: http://www.volunteermatch.org/, use keyword “animal” and your city or zip code.
 
NextStep Recycling
Volunteering at NextStep is perfect for the computer savvy. Volunteers refurbish and recycle computers which aid in NextStep’s mission of “Providing technology and training to children and adults who have barriers to employment and education, while protecting our environment and community from hazardous waste.”
For more information contact Jennifer McAuley at (541) 686-2366 ext. 117
 
Additional Volunteer Organizations
Senior and Disabled Services: (541) 682-4038, [email protected], http://www.sdslane.org/volunteer.html.
Eugene Symphony: http://www.eugenesymphony.org/support/volunteer-opportunities/.
ACLU: http://aclu-or.org/volunteer or email [email protected].
 
This is by no means a comprehensive list. If you do not see something here that you want to do, I encourage you to surf the web, talk to your friends and professors or create your own!

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