Summertime Is Time For High School Volunteers

Summertime is here, school is out of session and the time is ripe for Belmont High School students to meet their community service requirements.

The added free time makes it perfect for entering freshmen and upperclassmen to perform work that benefit at least one other unrelated person and for which they receive no compensation or academic credit.

And students and parents should not think of this volunteer work as not important. Students must complete 10 hours of service each year in order to be promoted to the next grade. For freshmen to gain sophomore status, at least 10 hours of service must have been completed during that freshman year.

Community service may be performed at any time during students' high school careers, from the summer before freshman year until the last day of class senior year. Students may elect to engage in a single activity or many, over an extended or concentrated period of time.

The opportunities are almost endless in meeting the requirements:

Belmont High School Office:  Help with occasional BHS office work, mid-July through August.. Contact Ms. Bunyon 993-5901.

Belmont Public Library "Teen Tech" Program  needs students to help individuals master basic computer skills, Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and email., 2 sessions a week in July.  3 week commitment needed. Pick up applications from Ms. Melnikoff before 6/18 or call Corinne Chan: 617-993-2867 or Deborah Borsuk: 617-993-2877

Belmont Food Pantry: 2nd &  4th Sat. in July;  1st & 3rd Sat. in Aug., 8:15-9:30AM.  Contact patricia.mihelich@gmail.com Tuesdays, 6/22, 7/27, 8/24, 5-6:30PM.   Contact Laurie Graham: 617 489-6483 or iamlaurieg@yahoo.com

Habitat Intergenerational Program (HIP) Pulling Partners welcomes volunteers to drop in on Wednesdays from 10am – 12pm from June 23 – August 25.  Projects will include trail maintenance, invasive plant removal and meadow and pond area reclamation. For other check their website http://www.massaudubon.org/Jobs/index.php?type=Volunteer#Habitat%20Wildlife%20Sanctuary or call Lisa Becker lbecker@massaudubon.org

Rock Meadow can use volunteers. Call the Conservation Commission at 617-993-2667.

Belmont Farmers' Market will again be held in the Belmont Center parking lot on Thursdays from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Help is needed during market hours as well as for set-up (noon to 1) and break down (6:30 to 7:30).  You could also wear the Mr./Mrs. Tomato costume, work on the print or e-newsletter, or help with publicity.  Contact Vicky Slavin at vj.slavin@verizon.net or 617-484-2732.

Sergi Farm is Belmont's historic farm within walking distance of BHS.  Learn about agriculture as you plant, weed, irrigate or harvest.  Available Thursday – Sunday.  You must call 24 hours ahead to schedule:  Mike:  617-489-5468

Belmont S.P.O.R.T. Program runs Special Olympics programs year-round. Volunteers are welcome on a committed basis for sports including cycling (Mon, 6-7 at BHS parking lot; bring a bike and helmet). Call Sue Weiner, 617-943-4214.

Meet Belmont, Thursday, Aug. 26, is a town-wide information and resource fair that needs student help in shifts from 3-9:30,  Also prep work needed in the prior month.  Contact Laurie Graham, 617-489-6483 or iamlaurieg@yahoo.com

Belmont Manor Nursing Center welcomes students to chat with patients and participate in activities, ONLY with a commitment of 100 hours. Call or email Dana Spinney: 617-489-1200. danaspinney@belmontmanor.com

Waltham Crossings is an assisted-living center on Trapelo Rd., Waltham, right at the Rt. 128 on-ramp.  Chat with patients, etc.  Call Nicki, 781-466-9912.

Neville Center (Concord Ave., Cambridge), a nursing and rehab center, welcomes volunteers.  Amanda Black, 617-497-0600

Neville Place, an assisted living center, would love bingo help . Sue Bowdridge, 617-497-8700

Sancta Maria Nursing Facility  (Cambridge)  welcomes volunteers. Amy Murphy, 617-868-2200, x2625                                                    

Waltham Fields/Community Farm (Beaver St., Waltham) raises produce for soup kitchens and shelters. They need help Tuesdays through Saturdays, from 9-noon; drop in and sign in there.  volunteer[at]communityfarms.org

CYCLE Kids needs a creative team to work in Belmont to design a raffle and mass mailing for this organization that fights childhood obesity through teaching healthy lifestyles and learning to ride a bike.  5 hour minimum (more hours available). Judymorrison09@gmail.com

East End House (Cambridge) is a multi-service community center with room for volunteers with food pantry, hunger and homelessness, senior outreach and enrichment, children's camp, and childcare.  Call Ross, 617-876-4444 or ross@eastendhouse.org

Community Servings (Boston, Jamaica Plain) prepares, packages, and delivers 750 hot meals each weekday to patients in the Boston area. Their kitchen is open Monday-Friday, 6AM to 8PM and Saturday, 10-4.  Flexible scheduling, one time or many.  Call Rebecca Ober or Malissa Harmon, 617-522-7777.

Rosie's Place (Boston, near Boston Medical Center) serves lunch and dinner to women.  Volunteer in their kitchen.  Call Marty Wengert:  617-442-9322 x218; 3-month commitment (2 times a month) needed.   www.rosies.org

Bristol Lodge (Waltham) welcomes volunteers to serve dinner at their soup kitchen.  Weekdays and weekends. Contact Dick Rodgers: 781-883-2050