• LIVE UNITED

  • with the Barry County United Way Volunteer Center.
    The mission of the Barry County United Way &  Volunteer Center is to improve lives by mobilizing the caring power of Barry County communities. The Volunteer Center is a community clearinghouse for volunteerism, energizing and inspiring people to make a difference.  We connect individuals willing to donate their time and talents with non-profit organizations throughout the Barry County area.

    volunteer_nowClick To View Any Of The Following Programs:
      Fresh Food Initiative
      Everyday Hero
      Day of Caring
      Michigan Student Service Award
      Volunteer Solutions

    Volunteer Opportunities

    Charlton Park
    Volunteer to help with special events, education, data entry, landscape, and maintenance.  Interested volunteers can fill out an application at www.charltonpark.org.
    Requirements:
    Restrictions:
    Contact:  Claire Johnson, Phone: 269-945-3775, E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .

    Spirit Farms Therapeutic Riding Program at Camp Manitou-Lin
    Do you love horses?  Volunteer with Spirit Farms by helping special needs children and lead horses through there program.
    Requirements: Volunteers need to commit 2-3 hours a week for a minimum of six weeks during the day or evening. 
    Restrictions:     No court ordered volunteers
    Contact:  Karen, Phone: 269-945-1789. 

    Thornapple Parks and Recreation
    Volunteer as an umpire, referee or to help with ground/field maintenance, fence repairs, mowing, and landscaping. 
    Requirements:
    Restrictions:         Adults may apply; however, the only court ordered volunteers accepted are Middle and High School aged.
    Contact: Kelly Pino, Phone: 269-795-8853.

    Barry Community Free Clinic
    Volunteer to work in the office of the Barry Community Free Clinic to determine patient eligibility. 
    Requirements: Must be able to work with nurses
    Restrictions: No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Sandy Kozan, Phone: 269-908-1098  

    Manna’s Market     
    Volunteers are needed to help with sorting and hanging clothing, food pick-ups and delivery, working at the store during hours of operation, mailings, and preparing tax donation receipts.  Manna’s Market is also looking for special volunteers for fundraisers, but those dates are not determined yet.  
    Requirements:
    Restrictions:
    Contact: Jayne Flanigan, Phone: 269-838-5887.

    Thornapple Manor
    Volunteers are needed who are interested in helping with resident activities and events, doing one-on-one visits with residents, reading to residents, volunteering in an office environment and joining the Auxiliary to assist with fundraisers and the store.  Thornapple Manor would also encourage volunteers with the following skills to call them: Gardening, playing music, nails, hand massages, photography, data entry, or singing.
    Requirements: Would like SENIOR volunteers
    Restrictions: No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Lyn Briel, Phone: 269-945-1360. 

    Big Brothers, Big Sisters
    Become a volunteer today for Big Brothers, Big Sisters as a school or community based mentor.
    Requirements:
    Restrictions:     No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Gayle Bachert, Phone: 945-9545 ext. 153. 

    Bernard Historical Museum (Delton)
    There is a variety of volunteer opportunities available at the Barnard Historical Museum.  Call to find out how you can help!
    Requirements:
    Restrictions:
    Contact: Bernard Historical Museum, Phone: 269-623-2077. 

    Delton Women’s Center
    The Delton Women’s Center     provides free services and educational programs on parenting & relationships, adoption, abortion and post abortion information.  Call today to learn more about you can volunteer with the Delton Women’s Center.
    Requirements:
    Restrictions:
    Contact:     Becky Hughes, Phone: 269-623-4061.

    Pierce Cedar Creek     
    Do you love the outdoors?  Volunteer at Pierce Cedar Creek to clear trails of debris, weed gardens, and remove invasive plants from native communities.  Other available volunteer opportunities include: clerical work, photography or playing music.
    Requirements:
    Restrictions: Can accept court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Doug Wright, Phone: 269-721-4434.

    The Thornapple Arts Council
    Volunteer to help with the art hops that occur several times a year in downtown Hastings, with special events like the Jazz Festival (April) and to help with the Art Auction in early November (November) can use volunteers. 
    Requirements:
    Restrictions: No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Andre Wiegand, Phone: 269-945-2002.

    Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan
    The Girl Scouts are looking for adult volunteers to lead troops and help with a variety of activities, programs, and administration.  Want to show off your creative ability?  The organization is also in need of kid friendly community service projects. 
    Requirements:
    Restrictions: No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Please call the Kalamazoo regional service center at 269-343-1516 for more information.  Ask to speak with Membership Specialist Kelly Pino or you may email Kelly at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it  

    Barry Community Hospice
    Volunteer your time to helping clients(s) of Hospice. 
    Requirements:
    Restrictions: No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Bob Holderbaum in Battle Creek, Phone: 269-660-3600 Tues-Friday or in Hastings at 269-948-8452 on Mondays only for more information.

    DHS (Department of Human Services)
    Do you like working with children?  DHS is seeking volunteers to provide child care while families are filling out paperwork in their office. 
    Requirements: Hours can be flexible, but volunteers are really needed during the morning hours. 
    Restrictions: No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Keith Behm, Phone: 269-948-3253. 

    DHS (Department of Human Services)
    Volunteers are also needed to provide transportation for the agencies clients. 
    Requirements:
    Restrictions: No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Keith Behm, Phone: 269-948-3253

    Food Bank of South Central Michigan
    Volunteer to help provide food to those in need.  The Food Bank of South Central Michigan (Battle Creek) is looking for volunteers to help with sorting or bagging food, answering phones, helping with mailings, distributing food, or helping with special events.
    Requirements: Flexible hours.  Please call before coming in to volunteer.
    Restrictions: Can accept court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Tiffany Blackman, Phone: 269-964-3663. 

    Pennock Hospital
    There are varies opportunities to volunteer and get involved with Pennock Hospital.  Please see the list below.
    Escort Volunteer
    Courier Volunteer
    Surgery / Reception Volunteer
    Hospice Volunteer
    Receptionist Volunteer
    Gift Shop Volunteer
    Endoscopy Center Volunteer
    Family Birthing Center Receptionist
    Sewing Volunteer
    Lifeline installation Volunteer – training provided
    Medical Records Volunteer
    Special Task Volunteer
    Requirements:
    Restrictions:
    Contact:     Volunteer Services Office, Phone: 269-945-1212x1112
  • Hastings Public Library
    The Hastings Public Library is looking for volunteers who would be willing to shelve materials, prepare programming crafts, read to a reluctant child, becoming a board member for the library, and/or process matters (covers, stamping, computer work, data entry, filing).  Volunteers are also needed for special events including the duck race, story times, and lock-ins.
    Requirements:
    Restrictions: Can accept court ordered volunteers (no child related offenses)
    Contact: Pamela Englerth, Phone: 269-945-4263. 

  • The Hastings Public Library is also looking for volunteers to share special talents with the community - either displaying something or teaching a class such as jewelry making. 
    Requirements: Contact the library first
    Restrictions: Can accept court ordered volunteers (no child related offenses)
    Contact: Laura Gould, Phone: 269-945-4263. 

    Putnam District Library in Nashville
    Volunteers are needed who would like assistance with garden and yard work, minor maintenance work, local history projects, and people willing to do free public lectures/workshops on their areas of interest. 
    Requirements: A volunteer with a high skill level of computer and website design would be ideal!
    Restrictions: No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Shauna Lea Swantek, Phone: 517-852-9723
  • Barry County Humane Society
    The Barry County Humane Society is a non-profit organization, funded through donations and fund raisers.  They believe that all living creatures have the right to live free of suffering, and is dedicated to the prevention of cruelty and promotion of humane treatment.  Volunteers are needed to help bake for fundraisers and other various activities. 
    Requirements:
    Restrictions: No court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Kathy Wiggins, Phone: 269-945-0602
  • “Share the Light” Soup Kitchen
    The “Share the Lights” soup kitchen offers a dinner every Tuesday evening from 5:00-7:00pm at the Hastings First United Methodist Church.  It is completely served and organized by volunteers. 
    Requirements: Please arrive early as volunteer spots fill quickly
    Restrictions: Can accept court ordered volunteers
    Contact: Amanda Campbell, organizer
  • MOPS
    A local MOPS group needs your help!  10 volunteers are needed to assist with child care from 9:00am – 11:00am on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays of the month. 
    Requirements: Call for more information
    Restrictions: No child related offenses
    Contact: Julie, Phone: 269-948-2549 ext. 421

    Charity House Agency
    Connect with the Charity House Agency to assist with bottle returns; call Barry County United Way Volunteer Center for more information at 945-4010.
  • Camp Manitou-Lin –Middleville
    Phone: 888-909-2267
  • Carveth Village-Middleville
    Phone: 269-795-4972
  • Tendercare of Hastings
    Phone: 269-945-9564

    Alpha Women’s Center
    Phone: 269-948-9013

    Gilmore Car Museum
    Contact: Art, Phone: 269-671-5089, Ext 1

    Thornapple Arts Council
    Phone: 269-945-2002

Ideas on Volunteering to Help Agencies
  • Local Libraries may need help with book sales
    Create small blankets or quilts for nursing homes, individuals in the hospital, food pantries, or other service providing organizations
    Make and deliver greeting cards to nursing home residents or elderly neighbors
    Ask your school district if they need help.  They may need volunteers to read to children, have lunch with children, or to be classroom assistants
    Host a pet food drive to benefit the humane society or animal shelter
    Volunteer to read one on one to nursing home residents
    Make Holiday decorations to be given to local veterans
    Organize a can food drive
    Organize a coat, hat, or mitten drive

  •  
For more information or additional opportunities, please call Morgan at the Barry County United Way & Volunteer Center, 945-4010. 






 
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