Guild Incorporated (of West St. Paul) is an organization that helps people with mental illness lead quality lives. Programs build on people's strengths, assisting with finding housing, employment and social connections.

Among their many great programs is an amateur adult co-ed basketball team! Yes! It builds on people's strengths (enthusiasm, spirit), as well as building strength in areas that could always use some extra toning (deltoids). Being on a team is sure great for social connections, too (and connecting with that basket - swish). Hey, this sounds like a pretty awesome program for adults with mental illness.

BUT WAIT - they need a team manager. Someone who is responsible and caring. Encouraging and enthusiastic. Doesn't mind driving a big 'ol van to practices. Loves basketball and people. Is this you?

It's a commitment of one evening a week for about three months, which isn't much. You'll probably want to do more! Check it out --> Be a basketball team manager

Guild Incorprated is looking for enthusiastic volunteers!

"Happy" enthusiastic, though - not "Bob Knight" enthusiastic...

About a year ago, a friend of this blog who resides in Buffalo, NY (home of the chicken wing, and the late Rick James) volunteered a few hours of his time for the producers of a very low-budget horror movie called "Zombie Chickens". He wore a mask making it seem as though his face was zombified, and lurched around along with dozens of other Buffalonians in order to simulate, with tremendous accuracy, the sort of disaster that would be caused by a plague of Zombie Chickens descending upon Upstate New York.

(As far as we know, this movie is not out yet. Or maybe we just don't know the right people.)

We mention this because Salvation Army Twin Cities has a similar gig going on in late August. From the 21st through the 25th, the Salvation Army is looking for hundreds of volunteers to help simulate a large-scale disaster so that the Minnesota National Guard can practice their people-saving skills and complete their CERFP certification. Disaster Actor Volunteers will be given a story to act out, and then they will be saved from rubble, de-contaminated, bandaged, and triaged. You may not wind up in a B-grade horror movie as an extra, but you will be contributing to the safety of your community by helping the National Guard complete the training they need.

Proper Preparation Prevents Poor Performance! We want our National Guard to be Properly Prepared, don't we?

Attention Law Students - do you want to do some good in the world before you become a lawyer and are contractually obligated to do evil? You may not have passed that bar yet, but your knowledge and skills are already useful and needed.

The Alexandra House is looking for Legal Advocates to help clients file protection orders and navigate our gargantuously confusing court system. By volunteering your time and talents, you can help women and families in situations of domestic violence get a fresh start on life.

This is a good opportunity for those interested in or working towards law practice, but being a law student is not a requirement. If you don't care about/are afraid of the law, but you still want to help, there are lots of other ways you can assist the Alexandra House in their mission to be a voice and a support network for women, families, and communities experiencing domestic violence. Click here to learn more about volunteer opportunities with this organization.

The demand for volunteer gardeners almost outpaces our desire to write about it.

Family & Children's Services of Brooklyn Park is looking for an individual or small group (up to 4 volunteers) to help plan and maintain the landscaping at their Northwest Hennepin branch. If you want to leave your mark as a horticultural artist while helping your community, this is a fantastic volunteer opportunity. (Check it out)

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That same agency (Family & Children's Services) is also looking for someone with experience in Facilities Management to provide on-call consultation to their Facilities Supervisor. Volunteer opportunities like this are looking for one special person with experience, time, and the desire to help others.

Immediately, one-half of this blog thought about his Uncle Dan, who is recently retired, terribly bored, and knows a whole lot about how to fix everything. Unfortunately, Uncle Dan lives on the South Dakota border, and would be a poor candidate for an on-call volunteer in Brooklyn Park.

But maybe you've got a retired Uncle Dan who needs something to drag him away from the History Channel and get his hands dirty helping a great community organization? (more info)

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Lastly, and speaking of getting your hands dirty, we hope you've blocked off Thursday, July 12 on your calendar, because that's the day of the summer's biggest volunteer project!

Join hundreds of volunteer from accross the Twin Cities at the Cityview Performing Arts Magnet School in Minneapolis for an extreme school makeover! Groups of all sizes are still welcome. The more volunteers we get, the bigger the difference we can make. Sign up online or call 612-379-4900.