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Volunteer Opportunities List

These are volunteer opportunities in and near Bend, Oregon. You may choose a convenient time to volunteer, within the times given. Call or email the listed contact people for more information and to sign up.

For assistance, Contact Us online or call Volunteer Insights at 385-8977.

Volunteering categories:


One-time volunteer opportunities: One-Step Volunteering
Breaking news:
Orientation for volunteers to spot riders on horseback during therapy riding classes: Wednesday, May 13, 5:30-8:30 pm, at Healing Reins. No prior horse experience necessary. See below under Health and Therapy.

Volunteer Opportunities List


Animals

Chimps Inc.
Tumalo
www.chimps-inc.org
Nicole Wilkins
385-3372
chimpsincnicole@yahoo.com
Assist staff in maintaining the chimpanzee sanctuary. Responsibilities include cleaning, fundraising, diet preparation, enrichment construction, landscaping and more. Students may be able to use technical and creative skills in the construction of enrichment projects or structures to enhance the living environment and mental well-being of all the sanctuary residents. Volunteers will not have contact with the animals.
Timing: Any day, 8-12 or 1-5, for at least 4 hours (flexible for off-site projects)
Minimum age of volunteers: 18 (younger for off-site projects)

Humane Society of Central Oregon
61170 SE 27th Street
www.hsco.org
Wendy Arnold
382-3537
wendya@hsco.org
Help the Humane Society care for the nearly 4000 homeless and neglected animals that enter the shelter each year. Walk dogs, groom and play with cats, assist with adoptions, help out around the shelter, or do community outreach, including adoptions, education, and fund-raising. Outside projects include making cat toys or organizing pet food, kitty litter, and supply drives.
Timing: Mon-Fri, 10-5:30; Sat, 10-5.
Minimum age of volunteers: 9 (Volunteers 15 and under must be accompanied by an adult.) Outside projects: Any age

Also see Healing Reins, under Health and Therapy.


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Children

Bend Metro Park and Rec. District
Various parks
www.bendparksandrec.org
Kim Johnson
389-7275 x127
kim@bendparksandrec.org
Help with before and after-school child care or with youth sports.
Timing: Varies
Minimum age of volunteers: 14 (12, with parent or guardian)

Boys & Girls Clubs of Central Oregon – Ariel Branch
Near Bear Creek Elementary School
www.bgcco.org
Stephanie McDermott
385-3009
smcdermott@bgcco.org
Help out in an after-school program in the Ariel South Apartment Complex: Tutoring and educational activities, games room (including pool, foosball, bumper pool, table tennis, and air hockey), arts & crafts, fine arts, outside games/sports, cooking club, and computer-related activities. Students are primarily grades 1-5.
Timing: Mon-Fri, 3:30-6:00.
Minimum age of volunteers: High school and above.

Camp Fire USA
Various sites
www.campfireusaco.org
Jenn Bergby
382-4682
CampFire@bendcable.com
Assist in leading a 5-12-week service-learning curriculum for elementary, middle, or high school students. Receive training, and follow a semi-structured curriculum that allows some flexibility.
Timing: Mon-Fri, during school hours. for at least 2 hours per week.
Minimum age of volunteers: 18

Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth
Deschutes County
www.deschutes.org/copy
Bob Moore
388-6651
copy@deschutes.org
Volunteer Mentors support and assist children of incarcerated parents in Deschutes County, giving them equal opportunity to succeed. Provide a positive role model and healthy relationship. Mentoring programs have been linked to increased school performance, improved attitude, better social skills, and positive changes in behavior.
Timing: Flexible, for at least 1 year. Six hours of training, Sat, April 18.
Minimum age of volunteers: 21

Girl Scouts of Oregon & SW Wash.
145 NE Revere, Suite 6
www.girlscoutsosw.org
Peggy Lovegren
389-8146
plovegren@girlscoutsosw.org
Lead or assist a Troop of Daisies (K-1st), Brownies (2nd-3rd), Juniors (4th-5th), Cadettes (6th-8th), Seniors (9th-10th), or Ambassadors (11th-12th). Fun training is provided! Office work options available also. Many other volunteer opportunities, both long-term and short-term.
Timing: Various
Minimum age of volunteers: High school and above. Male and female volunteers welcome.

Girls on the Run of Deschutes Cty
Various sites in Bend
www.deschutescountygotr.org
Heather Vihstadt
788-8567
director@deschutescountygotr.org
Help young girls develop a healthy self-image and life through running, character development, and community service projects.
Timing: Twice weekly - after school in spring and fall; meeting times vary
Minimum age of volunteers: Sole Mate: 16, Coaches/Running Buddies: 18

Healthy Beginnings
1029 NW 14th Street, Suite 102
www.healthybeginnings.info
Mara Stephens
383-6357
mara.stephens@hdesd.org
Provide referral services and support to families by assisting with screenings of pre-school children, or with pre- and post-screening activities. Current need for hearing station volunteers. Opportunities are also available to assist with marketing and promotion, data-entry, and special events.
Timing: Flexible (Evenings or weekends best for follow up phoning.)
Location: Various screening sites, or in the office, or at your home, depending on project.
Minimum age of volunteers: 18 (younger ages possible depending on project)

Latino Community Association
1130 NW Harriman Ave.
www.latca.org
Brad Porterfield
788-4322
volunteer@latca.org
Assist the lead childcare providers for two or three hours every week while their parents are in English Classes, or during events when we provide childcare. Often, parents are unable to attend without the childcare that our volunteers provide. You can also share your ideas for activities for children.
Timing: Varies
Minimum age of volunteers: 16

MountainStar Family Relief Nursery
2125 NE Daggett
www.mountainstarfamily.org
Patricia Nehl
322-6820 x114
patrician@mountainstarfamily.org
Help support struggling families at risk for child neglect and abuse. Assist Interventionists in a therapeutic early childhood environment to nurture and support children 6-weeks through 3-years old. Background check required. Office volunteers are needed, as well as help with special projects such as fundraising, shopping for classroom or client needs, cleaning, light maintenance, etc.
Timing: Classroom assistant shifts: Mon-Fri, 9-12; Wed-Thurs, 1:30-4:30 p.m. Special projects: Flexible.
Minimum age of volunteers: 18 (younger must come with adult)

Nativity Lutheran Church
60850 Brosterhous Rd
John Aho
390-8283
john@nativityinbend.com
Volunteer for weekly Young People's Night: Provide beginners music lessons, or facilitate group games or service projects with 10-20 youth (K-5th grade). Prepare meals for youth.
Timing: Weds, 3-6 pm
Minimum age of volunteers: 12

NeighborImpact (formerly COCAAN)
Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson Counties
www.neighborimpact.org
Elaine Salmonson, HR Mgr.
548-2380 x115
volunteers@neighborimpact.org
Volunteer in our Head Start Program and help make a difference in the life of a child. Head Start volunteers may assist in the classroom to nurture and support children ages 3 through 5 years old. Head Start volunteers require an application, background check and TB screening, found on our website.
Timing: Mon-Thurs 8-12am and Noon to 4pm
Minimum age of volunteers: 18

Saving Grace (formerly COBRA)
1425 NW Kingston Ave.
www.saving-grace.org
Kellie Prinz
504-2550 x2
kellie@saving-grace.org
Volunteer with the Children’s Program, helping children who have lived in domestic violence or an abusive environment. Assist staff with children’s support groups, provide respite care for mothers, or work one-on-one with individual children.
Timing: Tues evenings, 5:30-7:30.
Minimum age of volunteers: 15

SMART: Start Making a Reader Today
Deschutes, Crook, Jefferson Counties
www.getsmartoregon.org
Daleena Green
383-6466
dgreen@getsmartoregon.org
Help ensure that every child in Oregon can read, by reading with K-3 children. Opportunities exist from just an hour a week, to one time commitments, to once a month, to more often. Days, times, and hours are flexible. We really have something for everyone!
Timing: Mon-Thurs, one hour weekly between 8:00-3:30, for one semester or the entire school year (to mid-May). All school holidays observed.
Minimum age of volunteers: High school students

Together For Children
Various
www.together-for-children.org
Edie Jones
389-9317
edie@together-for-children.org
Work with Early Childcare Specialist in providing weekly program for children from birth through 3 years of age. (Or do phoning, data gathering and processing, for survey of families.)
Timing for weekly programs:
Bend: Weds, 8:30–10:30, 11–1, 3:30–4:45; Thurs, 9-11, possibly 3:30-5:30
Sisters: Fri, 8:45-10:45
Redmond: Mon, 9:30-11:30
La Pine: Weds, 9:30-11:30
Gilchrist: Fri, 9:30-11:30
Minimum age of volunteers: 18

Westside Village Magnet School
NW 12th and Kingston
www.bend.k12.or.us - click Schools
Patrick Bluhm
383-6205
pbluhm@bend.k12.or.us
Share your gifts with elementary school students at a creative school. Be a reading buddy, help with drama or art, or be a field trip helper. Also, opportunities to participate with students as they engage in service-learning projects, such as environmental restoration, neighborhood clean-up projects, or activities within the school community, such as garden parties.
Timing: Flexible
Minimum age of volunteers: 15

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Community Resources

Central Oregon Visitors Assoc.
Old Mill, Bend
visitcentraloregon.com
Kristi Richter
389-8799
kristi@visitcentraloregon.com
Welcome and greet visitors and share about Central Oregon's tourism attributes. Respond to questions, give directions, restock brochures and magazines, and provide light office support.
Timing: July and August, Mon-Sat, 11 - 2, at least 3-hour shifts
Minimum age of volunteers: 18

Downtown Bend Business Assoc.
Downtown Bend
www.downtownbend.org
Chuck Arnold
385-6570
chuck@downtownbend.org
Help with downtown clean-up and landscaping. Communicate with downtown business owners.
Timing: Mon-Sat, 9-4
Minimum age of volunteers: 14

Visit Bend
917 NW Harriman Street
www.visitbend.com
Valerie Warren or Laurel Brauns
382-8048
valerie@visitbend.com
Greet visitors and answer their questions about Bend, give directions, answer phones, assemble mailings, organize brochures, operate cash register, do light office cleaning, and add events to website. Also opportunities to serve as ambassadors in key tourist areas.
Timing: Mon-Sat, 9-5 (4-hour shift, at least 2x per month)
Minimum age of volunteers: 18

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Elders

Bend Metro Park and Rec. District
Various parks
www.bendparksandrec.org
Kim Johnson
389-7275 x127
kim@bendparksandrec.org
Volunteers are needed to help with senior programs.
Timing: Varies
Minimum age of volunteers: 14 (12, with parent or guardian)

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Environment

Bend Metro Park and Rec. District
Various parks
www.bendparksandrec.org
Kim Johnson
389-7275 x127
kim@bendparksandrec.org
Volunteers are needed to help with before and after-school child care, youth sports and recreation programs, senior programs, adaptive and special recreation, swim and fitness programs, community events and with park and trail maintenance projects.
Timing: Varies
Minimum age of volunteers: 14 (12, with parent or guardian)

Central Oregon Environmental Ctr.
16 NW Kansas Ave.
www.envirocenter.org
Karyn Black
385-6908 x13
karyn@envirocenter.org
The Environmental Center works with students of all ages through our EarthSmart youth education program and our Eco-internship program. We welcome volunteer assistance at our offices and with our events and programs. We also refer volunteers to the 40+ environmental organizations with which the Center collaborates. To view current opportunities, click “Get Involved” on our website. For internships, click “Community Programs.”
Timing: Flexible
Minimum age of volunteers: Varies by program and event

Deschutes National Forest
Headquarters, Emkay Drive
www.fs.fed.us/r6/centraloregon
Jean Nelson-Dean
383-5576
jnelsondean@fs.fed.us
Assist the Forest Service in doing environmental education programs for schools, wildlife and fisheries monitoring projects. You might also be interested in repairing and grooming summer and winter recreation trails, or adopting-a-lake for the summer. Opportunities are also available to help with special volunteer events in partnership with the National Forest Foundation and doing clean-ups of recreation sites or facilities.
Timing: Flexible
Minimum age of volunteers: 13

Friends of the Badlands
16 miles east of Bend
http://www.fobbits.org
David Eddleston
410-0259
caledonian@bendcable.com
The Friends of the Badlands are a band of volunteers and service organizations. We are the eyes, ears and boots on the ground, performing the stewardship role for the beautiful Badlands of Central Oregon, working closely with the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) and the Oregon Natural Desert Association (ONDA).Training tours provided.
Timing: Flexible
Minimum age of volunteers: No minimum age in groups with adult supervision.

Healthy Waters Institute
700 NW Hill St
www.healthywatersinstitute.org www.restorethedeschutes.org
Kolleen Yake
382-6103 x33
kyake@restorethedeschutes.org
Assist with restoration projects and plantings. Be an Education Assistant, teaching field-based science activities, including opportunity to work with field trip students at Streamside Learning Centers for Salmon Watch.
Timing: Tues, Weds, Thurs, 9-4. Salmon Watch, any day(s) Oct 6-17.
Minimum age of volunteers: Education assistant: 18; Restoration projects: Any age (younger students come with adults)

High Desert Museum
59800 S. Hwy 97
www.highdesertmuseum.org
Tracy Suckow
382-4754 x362
tracy@highdesertmuseum.org
Join the High Desert Teen Program: Interpretation of cultural and natural history of the high desert region. The teen program provides various volunteer opportunities, insight into unique careers, and development of strong professional and personal skills.
Timing: Various. Application due Spring, 2009.
Minimum age of volunteers: At least 12 and entering 7th grade or above

High Desert Museum
59800 S. Hwy 97
www.highdesertmuseum.org
Tracy Suckow
382-4754 x362
tracy@highdesertmuseum.org
Help teach our “Discovery Classes” and staff activity stations for school-age visitors. Do animal interpretation in the desertarium, about wild cats, and about wolves. Interpret for the sawmill (Men needed to learn to run the sawmill.) Or help with guest services at the admissions and membership desk.
Timing: Animal areas: 8 am - 12 noon; Other: 9 am - 5 pm. 4-hour weekly shifts, with minimum of 100 total hours.
Minimum age of volunteers: 18

ReStore: Habitat for Humanity
1860 NE 4th & various locations
www.bendhabitat.org
Emily Williams
385-5387 x227
ewilliams@bendhabitat.org
Volunteer at our home remodeling outlet. ReStore recycles building materials and raises funds for affordable housing projects.
Timing: Tues-Fri, 9-5, Sat, 10-4.
Minimum age of volunteers: 16

Wolftree
Various locations, esp. Sisters/Madras
www.beoutside.org
Ashley Burry-Trice and Blake Lowrey
549-1459
ashley@beoutside.org
blake@beoutside.org
Guide community watershed education, restoration, and research projects. Students test hypotheses on key species, monitor conditions, and engage in habitat restoration and research.
Timing: Varies
Age of volunteers: 5th – 12th grades. College students invited to help mentoring. Internships available.

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Food and Housing

Bend’s Community Center
1036 NE 5th
www.bendscommunitycenter.org
Taffy Gleason or Linda Heatley
312-2069
taffy@bendscommunitycenter.org
linda@bendscommunitycenter.org
Volunteers needed 7 days a week: cooking to feed the hungry, helping in the thrift store, or doing office work, landscaping, building maintenance, fundraising, computer work, web design, and more.
Timing: Mon – Sat, 9-5, Sun, 10-6; evenings vary with activities
Minimum age of volunteers: 16

Bethlehem Inn
3705 N Hwy 97
www.bethleheminn.org
Lynn Edwards
322-8768 x18
lebi@bendbroadband.com
Play board games or serve food in a shelter for homeless adults.
Timing: Mon-Fri evenings, 4:30-9:00. Some weekend times.
Minimum age of volunteers: 20 (prefer that you volunteer in pairs)

The Family Kitchen
Trinity Church, 469 NW Wall Street
Ron Lattin
383-3331
bnblsd@bendbroadband.com
Help out in a free hot meal program for adults and families.
Timing: Mon, Wed, Fri lunch, 11-12:30; Tues, Thurs supper, 5-6:30.
Minimum age of volunteers: 16

Habitat for Humanity, Bend Area
1860 NE 4th & various locations
www.bendhabitat.org
Emily Williams
385-5387 x227
ewilliams@bendhabitat.org
Help build affordable housing; volunteer at the ReStore, our home remodeling outlet; or help in the office. No experience necessary and we will train you!
Timing: Construction projects: Tues-Sat, 9-3. Office: Mon-Fri, 9-5. ReStore: Tues-Fri, 9-5, Sat, 10-4.
Minimum age of volunteers: 16

NeighborImpact (formerly COCAAN)
Crook, Deschutes, Jefferson Counties
www.neighborimpact.org
Elaine Salmonson, HR Mgr.
548-2380 x115
volunteers@neighborimpact.org
Help in a wide range of service programs that allow people to achieve self-sufficiency and break the cycle of poverty. Office, service and food bank volunteers are needed, as well as help with special projects such as fundraising, cleaning, light maintenance, etc.
Timing: Most sites: Mon-Fri, 8am to 4:30pm. Special projects: Flexible.
Minimum age of volunteers: Generally 18 (Younger volunteers may be eligible for special project assignments.)

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Health and Therapy

American Red Cross: Youth Program
2680 NE Twin Knolls Drive
www.mountainriver.redcross.org
Tamara Mathiesen
382-2142
tamaram@mountainriver.redcross.org
Assist as a classroom aide in teaching basic first aid, CPR, or baby-sitting safety. Opportunities may be available to teach disaster preparation classes to school students.
Timing: Various. Location: On site or in various schools.
Minimum age of volunteers: 12

American Red Cross: Blood Services
2680 NE Twin Knolls Drive
www.mountainriver.redcross.org
Meg Crawford
382-2142
megc@mountainriver.redcross.org
Blood drives: Assist blood donors with registration and canteen services. Office: Assist office staff with phone calls, filing, copying, and other projects.
Timing: Blood drives: Timing varies: Mon-Fri, 9am – 7pm; four-hour shifts. Special blood drives on Saturdays. Office: Mon–Fri, 9am-4pm.
Minimum age of volunteers: 13 (eighth grade)

Healing Reins
60575 Billadeau Road
www.healingreins.org
Sarah Smith
382-9410 x5
sarahs@healingreins.org
Assist in bringing the standard of excellence in therapeutic horse riding by providing the highest quality experience to disabled, emotionally challenged and behaviorally at risk riders. Also opportunities to help with facilities or office support.
Timing: Mon-Sat, 9am – 6:30pm. Commit for 8-week session, for 1-2 hours each week, or serve as on-call substitute volunteer. Volunteer orientation and training: Wednesday, May 13 or October 14, 5:30-8:30pm. Timing for facilities and office support is flexible.
Minimum age of volunteers: 14

Ronald McDonald House
1700 NE Purcell
www.rmhcofcentraloregon.org
Mardi Bruce
318-4950
mardibruce@bendbroadband.com
One-time projects for groups or individuals, or volunteer on a weekly basis, for a house that serves families of children who are receiving medical treatment in the Bend area – cleaning, yard work, maintenance, cooking, organizing, etc. Also special events volunteering.
Timing: Flexible
Minimum age of volunteers: No minimum age, but those under middle school age must be accompanied by an adult

Saint Charles Medical Center
2500 NE Neff Road
www.cascadehealthcare.org
Diane Kutcher
706-2900 x7077
dekutcher@cascadehealthcare.org
Assist with escorting guests, patient transport, and delivering items throughout the hospital.
Timing: Mon-Fri, 9-5:30, in 3-hour shifts; minimum commitment 3 months.
Minimum age of volunteers: 16 (highly motivated volunteers)

Women’s Resource Center
1010 NW Kingston Ave.
www.wrcco.org
Cyndi Fischer or Linda Gardner
385-0750
info@wrcco.org
Assist with phone, data entry, organizing library and historical records, and updating community resources at a center that helps women with life transitions, educational sessions, counseling, and other services. Training provided for crisis-call management. Committee opportunities in marketing, grant-writing, program-planning, event-planning, donor development, and sponsorship development.
Timing: Mon-Thurs, 10-4
Minimum age of volunteers: 18

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Spanish Language

Latino Community Association
1130 NW Harriman Ave.
www.latca.org
Brad Porterfield
788-4322
volunteer@latca.org
Provide written and oral translations/interpretations. Tutor one-on-one in English or Spanish. Help in the office by answering phones, making copies, updating our bulletin board, website, newsletter, etc. We also welcome help with bookkeeping, marketing, fund-raising, and a variety of events: Setting up, cleaning up, and greeting guests.
Timing: Varies
Minimum age of volunteers: 16

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Youth

Bend Metro Park and Rec. District
Various parks
www.bendparksandrec.org
Kim Johnson
389-7275 x127
kim@bendparksandrec.org
Help with youth sports and recreation programs.
Timing: Varies
Minimum age of volunteers: 14 (12, with parent or guardian)

Camp Fire USA
Various sites
www.campfireusaco.org
Jenn Bergby
382-4682
CampFire@bendcable.com
Assist in leading a 5-12-week service-learning curriculum for elementary, middle, or high school students. Receive training, and follow a semi-structured curriculum that allows some flexibility.
Timing: Mon-Fri, during school hours. for at least 2 hours per week.
Minimum age of volunteers: 18

Cascade Youth & Family Center
19 SW Century Drive
www.jbarj.org
Patti Barrett
318-3436
pbarrett@jbarj.org
Provide mentoring and support for homeless youth by assisting with or leading skill-building groups, workshops, or recreation activities. Or, to help with the street outreach program, contact Chuck Geschke at 408-3592.
Timing: Any day, 8am–10pm; Street outreach breakfast: Thurs, 8:30-10 am.
Minimum age of volunteers: 21 (15 for street outreach breakfast)

Central Oregon Partnerships for Youth
Deschutes County
www.deschutes.org/copy
Bob Moore
388-6651
copy@deschutes.org
Volunteer Mentors support and assist children of incarcerated parents in Deschutes County, giving them equal opportunity to succeed. Provide a positive role model and healthy relationship for a young person up to age 15. Mentoring programs have been linked to increased school performance, improved attitude, better social skills, and positive changes in behavior.
Timing: Flexible, for at least 1 year. Six hours of training, Sat, April 18.
Minimum age of volunteers: 21

Girl Scouts of Central Oregon
145 NE Revere, Suite 6
www.wrgirlscouts.org
Peggy Lovegren
389-8146
plovegren@wrgirlscouts.org
Lead or assist a Troop of Daisies (K-1st), Brownies (2nd-3rd), Juniors (4th-5th), Cadettes (6th-8th), Seniors (9th-10th), or Ambassadors (11th-12th). Fun training is provided! Office work options available also. Many other volunteer opportunities, both long-term and short-term.
Timing: Various
Minimum age of volunteers: High school and above. Male and female volunteers welcome.

Grandma's House
North East Bend
www.grandmashouseofbend.com
Kathy Tabakman
383-3515
grandmasvolunteers@bendcable.com
Help girls aged 12-19, living in a safe shelter for homeless or abused pregnant or parenting teen mothers and their babies. Mentor or tutor a teen, or be a "House Mom" -- a week end role model and supervisor for pregnant teens and their babies.
Timing: Varies.
Minimum age of volunteers: 20

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Teaching

To find opportunities to develop and practice your teaching skills, check the agencies in these categories::

Children: Girls on the Run, MountainStar Family Relief Nursery, SMART, Westside Village Magnet School

Environment: Commute Options Safe Routes to Schools, Healthy Waters Institute, Wolftree

Youth: Camp Fire


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Older Volunteers

RSVP, sponsored by Central Oregon Council on Aging, offers a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers aged 55 and above.

Contact Marie Phillis at 548-2206 x309 or at marie@rsvpco.org


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Volunteer Insights

Volunteer Insights
Various sites
www.volunteerinsights.org
Betsy Warriner
385-8977
betsy@volunteerinsights.org
Help us change the world, one volunteer at a time. We welcome your assistance with our website, outreach to teachers, outreach to agency partners, research, communications, events, grant-writing, or fund-raising. Internship available.
Timing: Varies
Minimum age of volunteers: No minimum age

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If you would like to find other volunteer opportunities in Deschutes County, Oregon, please Contact Us and let us know your interests and location.

If you represent a community agency in Deschutes County, and you would like to add, remove, or change a volunteer position, please Contact Us

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PO Box 5125, Bend, OR 97708 | 541-385-8977 | info@volunteerinsights.org