Mission: Youth Volunteers
Volunteer Opportunities for youth ages 12 and over in the Columbus Area
Ten Steps to Create Quality Youth Led Projects
Donation Drives are always a fun Mission! Check out the donation needs page HERE.
Platte County Attorney's Victims Assistance Program - Contact Traci at 563-4971
The Victims Assistance program is looking for someone (individual or group) that would like to assemble kids activity bags. These will help entertain the kids while they wait for court. Bags may include: color books, crayons, markets, activity books, small stuffed animals, notebooks, pens, pencils, puzzles. They would like bags for a variety of ages. The project organizer would need to supply the bags (cloth bags work great) and activity supplies. The Volunteer Center would gladly help get together the supplies! Give the volunteer center a call if you would like to do this activity.
American Red Cross Prairie Valley Chapter in Columbus - Youth Club
Activities include training in Health and Safety Services, Disaster Services, Services to the Armed Forces, Biomedical Services, International services, as well as "just for fun" activities. The Youth Club meets the third Tuesday of each month at 6:30 p.m. at the chapter building. For more information call the Red Cross at 564-8314.
Columbus YMCA - Help with After School Program - Contact Corey Briggs at 564-9477
The After School Program is help Monday through Thursday from 3:30 p.m. to 5 p.m. and is for grade school age kids. Students of Middle school age and older are encouraged to volunteer to help with the program. You can become a positive example for the younger kids in Columbus!
Do you like sports? The Columbus YMCA is looking for volunteers to coach Basketball, T-ball, Flag Football, and Indoor Soccer. Enjoy physical activity and have fun working with younger kids.
Help is needed periodically with mailings. Leave your name and the Y will call when help is needed to stuff envelopes, brochures, label, etc.
Central Nebraska Community Services - Head Start - Contact Tammy Claussen at 564-1124 Ext. #204
Do enjoy working with little kids? Head Start has sessions year round, and volunteers are welcome in the infant to three year old room, and three to five year old room. Reading to children, clean up, and filing, are some of the volunteer activities available. Volunteers are required to be 14 years and older.
Paws and Claws Adoption Center - Contact 562-5683
Do you like working with animals? Paws and Claws is always looking for volunteers who are willing to put in the "elbow grease" to keep the facility clean and animals happy!
ARC of Platte County - Call 563-1699
*Help needed with Honey Sunday on November 1. Help set up or sell honey in designated locations.
*Pals N' Play - meetings once a month for crafts, games, activities, etc. 5-6:30 p.m. at the Federated Church. Volunteer and enjoy one on one time with a child with disabilities.
*Parents for Parents - Volunteers are needed to provide care to a child with disabilities and help with activities during quarterly parents meetings.
*Summer Friends Special Needs Camp - A summer day camp experience planned especially for children with special needs. Volunteers are needed to help support the campers and assist with daily activities. Contact the Arc for dates and location.
Youth For Christ - Contact Darla Neemeyer 564-3700
Volunteer are welcome to help at the Youth For Christ location after school between 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Volunteers can assist with office work or help around the facility doing cleaning and organizing.
TeamMates - Contact Tricia Faust at 564-6248
Youth volunteers are needed to assist with occasional mailing or other office duties. Help is also needed prior to and/or the day of annual fundraiser held every April. The One Hour Walk this Year is on April 16, 2010.
Event volunteers are always needed!
Many organizations hold yearly events. Volunteers would be needed to stuff envelopes, hang flyers, and lend a hand at events. Contact the Volunteer Center and leave your name and phone number, and we'll pass it on the organizations that you would like to be contacted to help with events.
S.M.I.L.E. Inc. Equine Therapy Program - Contact Patty Prauner at 402-675-8462
Do you like horses, kids, and working in the outdoors? S.M.I.L.E. Inc uses horse backing riding as a form of therapy for children and adults with disabilities. Volunteers are needed to help instructors during riding sessions. Or, if you just want to get your hands dirty, help is always welcome in maintaining the grounds, taking care of flower beds, or cleaning the facility.
Therapy Dogs - Contact Mary Hostetter at 563-1423
Dog and Handler teams volunteer to visit local nursing homes, hospital and schools. Handlers must be 16 years of age. For more information, contact Mary or visit www.therapydogs.com.
Platte Valley Literacy - Li-BEAR-Y Family School Bear Pairs - Contact Theresa Wachal at 564-5196
The family school provides activities for the children (ages 4-11) of those who are studying for a GED or learning English. The need someone who can read to them, help them with homework, play learning games, or help them in using the computers. In the event you are a teenager who works with PVLA for a school year, you may request a letter of reference for a job or scholarship application.
Start a "Kids Care Club"
Kids Care Clubs are a special program of the Points of Light Institute. Click on the link below to find out more!
Still looking for more opportunities?
Be sure to visit our listings of registered agencies and organizations HERE. If you have any questions on youth volunteer opportunities, call the Volunteer Center at 562-5462 or email volcntr@megavision.com