Volunteer Opportunities
Railroad museum | The Colorado Railroad Museum in Golden needs volunteers for ongoing projects to work in the office, on the track crew, in restoration projects in the roundhouse, in the library and as tour guides. Contact: David Williams at 720-274-5147 or david@crrm.org.
Long-term care | Denver Regional Council of Government’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program needs volunteers. The volunteer visits residents in the long-term care facility and advocates on their behalf. Volunteers receive 20 hours of training on topics such as conflict mediation, advocacy and communication skills, powers of attorney, advance directives, the aging process, resident’s rights and more. The next series of training sessions will be on three consecutive Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Jan. 24, 31, and Feb. 7. Once trained, volunteers are asked to spend a few hours a week in the program. Contact: Nancy Ferrier at 303-480-56538, or Nferrier@drcog.org.
Trail guides | The Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks needs trail guides to visit trailheads and hike trails six-to-ten hours per month, providing visitors with information on area features, seasonal changes and local and natural history. Free classroom and field training is provided in four sessions. Info: or 720-579-4161.
Museo de las Americas | The Museo de las Americas is recruiting and training volunteers for art, programs and events. Contact Kristi Martens at 303-571-4401, ext. 28, or e-mail Kristi@museo.org.
Hospice | Trinity Hospice of Colorado needs volunteers to provide visits, companionship and emotional support to patients and their families. Contact Kathy McCune at 303-799-5096, or e-mailkathryn.mccune@trinityhospice .
Teddy Bear Project | The ninth annual Teddy Bear Project needs volunteers to do independent collections of new and slightly used plush animals. Through Dec. 12, the drop-off site is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays at 3021 S. University Blvd. Info: 303-628-0477.
Elder care | Total Longterm Care, a nonprofit that allows elders to live independently for as long as possible, needs volunteers for its End of Life program. Volunteers go to residences and offer companionship. Volunteers are trained and given support when they get started. Info: Barb Warner at 720-974-6003 or bwarner @totallongtermcare.org.
Medical relief | Project C.U.R.E. delivers donated medical supplies and equipment to people in need around the world. The project needs groups of volunteers to sort items, load containers and for warehouse organization. Volunteers are needed to work as truck drivers, volunteer coordinators, couriers, sorting team leaders, and in procurement and general administration. Info: . or 303-792-0729.
Gift wrapping | The Aurora Public Library needs volunteers from Nov. 23 to Dec. 24 to gift wrap books and other items purchased at Barnes & Noble, 170 S. Abilene St., at Aurora City Place shopping center. The gift-wrapping will be provided free of charge to customers. Customer donations for the services benefit the library. Weekend, evening and some day shifts are available. Info: 303-739-6580.
Coats for Colorado campaign | Dependable Cleaners and KMGH-Channel 7 are accepting donated new and gently used coats through Nov. 30 at more than 30 Dependable Cleaners in the metro area or at upcoming collection events. An upcoming collection event will be Saturday. Info: Patti Kingsbury at 303-777-2673, ext. 21 or .
English tutors | The Colorado Refugee English as a Second Language program needs volunteers to teach English to recently arrived refugees. Tutoring takes place in the student’s home. The next training date will be in early December. Info: Sharon McCreary at 720-423-4843 or sharon_mccreary@dpsk12.org; or refugee-esl.org.
Limb preservation | The Limb Preservation Foundation needs volunteers for the 2007 Saving Limbs and Lives – A Friend-Raising Breakfast on Oct. 31 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at the Colorado Convention Center. Volunteers are needed for event set-up from 5:30 to 6:30 a.m.; event registration from 6:30 to 8 a.m.; and as event hosts and hostesses from 7 to 8:30 a.m. Info: Martha Simmons at 303-217-0998 or martha@limbpreservation.org.
Art museum | The Museum of Contemporary Art/Denver is hosting summer training for prospective volunteers. Info: Becky Wareing at 303-298-7554 or beckyw@mcartdenver.org.
Morrison Museum | The Morrison Natural History Museum, 501 Colorado 8, needs volunteers to teach about local fossils and rocks using hands-on exhibits and interactive demonstrations. Training and mentorship provided. Volunteers also needed to assist with reptile-collection care, fossil molding and casting, and information desk/gift shop operations. Info: 303-697-1873 or .
Air and Space Museum | Wings Over the Rockies Air and Space Museum, 7711 E. Academy Blvd., needs volunteers to help with youth and adult education programs offered by the museum’s education department. Volunteers conduct tours, assist with hands-on activities, teach in the flight simulator lab and conduct Project Pilot course. Project Pilot is a team-building course in which students learn the basics of flight planning. The museum offers progressive training for all volunteer positions. Aviation experience is a plus, but not required. Info: Education Department at 303-360-5360, ext. 106 or 116, or education@wingsmuseum .
Department of Energy’s | National Renewable Energy Laboratory Visitor Center School field trip program guides and docents are needed to serve as hosts and conduct programs appropriate for school groups, youth and scouting organizations, senior citizen and civic groups at the Department of Energy’s NREL Visitors Center, 15013 Denver West Parkway, Golden. Info: Ivilina Thornton at 303-384-6566 or ivilina_thornton@nrel.gov.
Zoo | The Denver Zoo, 2300 Steele St., needs volunteers to assist with special events, assist zookeepers and work in the zoo’s membership, education and administration departments. Info: . or 303-376-4894.
Dinosaur Ridge | Volunteer tour guides are needed to teach people about the paleontological, geological, natural resources and history of Dinosaur Ridge. Applicants must be at least 18 and must complete required training. Info: 303-697-3466 or .
Science Museum | The Denver Museum of Nature and Science, 2001 Colorado Blvd., needs volunteers to work in the museum’s diorama halls, galleries and activity areas. Also, volunteers to be guides, interpreters, collections assistants and classroom prep assistants. Info: Volunteer Services Office, 303-370-6419.
Butterfly Pavilion | The Butterfly Pavilion, 6252 W. 104th Ave., Westminster, needs volunteers to work with visitors and to help in its tropical butterfly conservatory, tide pool, touch cart and garden areas. Info: . or Kris Desmarais, 720-974-1868.
To publicize upcoming events geared toward and open to the public, please mail details at least two weeks in advance to Andrea Labak, Scientifically Speaking, The Denver Post, City Desk, 101 W. Colfax Ave., Suite 600, Denver, CO 80202, or e-mail to scispeak@denverpost.com.
