Volunteers sought for various activities by city of Bellevue

March 25, 2009 1:29 pm

The city of Bellevue is seeking volunteers to help in a number of activities, events and program, including:

• Head Start—Reading to Children: Volunteers needed to read to little children as part of the Head Start program at two Bellevue schools. Openings available Wednesdays and Fridays at Stevenson Elementary School, 14220 N.E. Eighth St.; and Mondays at Lake Hills Elementary School, 14310 S.E. 12th St. Call for details, times. 206-461-3656 or readers@uwkc.org.

• Volunteer Canoe Guides: Ongoing. Share your expertise in a beautiful, natural environment by providing canoe tours of the Mercer Slough Nature Park. 425-452-4195.

• Specialized Recreation: Help adults and youth with developmental disabilities participate in recreation classes at Highland Community Center. 425-452-6105.

• Volunteer Nature Center Host/Hostess: Reliable, friendly, nature-loving volunteers needed to staff the visitor’s center at Lewis Creek Park, 5808 Lakemont Blvd. Duties include greeting visitors, leading tours and light administrative duties. Flexible hours. 425-452-4195 or CKrueger@bellevuewa.gov.

• Youth volunteers needed for Teen Closet: Volunteers needed for clothing bank operated by Bellevue Youth Link, in partnership with Plato’s Closet and the World Impact Network. Volunteers classify and set out donations, and assist clients. 425-452-5254 or palina@ci.bellevue.wa.us.

• Bellevue’s 24-Hour Challenge Relay: June 27-28. Eastside youth spend 24 hours walking the Bellevue Downtown Park. Volunteers are needed to help with the 11th annual event’s set up and management including kitchen duty, lap counters, greeters, promotion and more. Call Sherry Grindeland at 425.747.0810 or at flyswim@earthlink.net.

• City of Bellevue Earth Day Arbor Day Festival: April 18, 8:30–11 .a.m. Event features a wide variety of free family activities, a tree planting ceremony and volunteer restoration projects citywide. Contact Christina Krueger at 425.452.4195. For general information call Laura Hughes at 425.452.7225.

• Symetra Bellevue Family 4th: Earn community service, receive a free meal and have Fun as a volunteer at Symetra’s Bellevue Family 4th of July. Volunteers need to be comfortable in large crowds, have the ability to communicate with the public and follow directions, a positive attitude, willingness to be outside regardless of the weather and able to be on their feet for a physically active day. Volunteers must be at least 16 years old. Applications can be found on line at http://www.bellevuewa.gov/COBCalendar/default.aspx, or email NWAC@bellevuewa.gov or call the Special Events office at 425-452-4106. All applications must be received by June 20, 2009. Space is limited so sign up early.

• Eastside Heritage Center: Needs volunteers—help to prepare for the Strawberry Festival and serve as a docent at Winters House. Other volunteer opportunities include Mini-Museum Docent, Collections Assistant, Exhibit/Display Assistant, Educational Assistant, Oral History Assistant, Data Entry Assistant, Administrative Assistant and more. Contact Kklett2@hotmail.com.

• Teen Volunteers Needed 2009 Sheep Shearing Event: Saturday, April 25, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. All volunteers must be at least 14. Dress to work outside with the public. All volunteers MUST pre-register at myparksandrecreation.com before April 22. Space is limited. Contact Pam Myers at 425-452-7688 or e-mail Kelsey Creek@bellevuewa.gov

Kelsey Creek Farm is located at 410- 130th Place S.E., Bellevue.

Docent Training: 9 a.m. – noon Thursday mornings on April 2 and April 9 at Bellevue Botanical Garden Visitor Center, 12001 Main Street. Learn, lead and share your gardening passion by becoming a Bellevue Botanical Garden Society Docent. The classes are informative, fun and free. For more information: call 425-451-3755 or e-mailbbgsoffice@bellevuebotanical.org.

• Garden Society Mothers Day Social: 1-4 p.m. May 10 at Bellevue Botanical Garden, 12001 Main St. Volunteers needed for event support. Open house featuring light refreshments, music and a celebration of the opening of the rhododendron glen at the garden. For more information, call 425-451-3755 or visit www.bellevuebotanical.org.