JANUARY 4 • 2024 | 23
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appy new year, friends! We’ve spent
the last year volunteering together,
and I’m so proud of what we’ve
accomplished. I wanted to do a review of
some of the organizations that I’ve high-
lighted previously and are my favorites to
volunteer with regularly and
also introduce some brand-
new opportunities for us to
dive into.
I love learning about and
sharing new organizations
with all of you. My inbox is
always open to new causes,
and I’m eager to share how
we all can continue to get and
remain involved with our community.
Yad Ezra relies on volunteers to assist
their clients and staff in all areas of the food
pantry’s operation. There are many oppor-
tunities, including assisting clients in the
pantry, client intake, Russian/English trans-
lation, helping in the Giving Gardens and
Sunday deliveries. To sign up, visit https://
volunteer.yadezra.org. A background check
is required.
Friendship Circle is looking for vol-
unteers to support the Lessons for Life
Program. Lessons for Life gives elementary,
middle and high school students with spe-
cial needs the opportunity to practice life
skills at Friendship Circle. The program is
held at Friendship Circle in the Weinberg
Village, a realistic village setting that
includes a bank, cafe, library, theater, pet
shop and much more. Volunteers bring the
program to life by working as shop owners,
librarians, baristas, doctors, dentists, bank
tellers, police officers and street vendors.
As a volunteer, you will help students prac-
tice and learn essential life skills, including
money management, time management,
communication, safety and problem-solv-
ing. The typical volunteer schedule is
9:30 a.m.-noon, Monday through Friday.
Volunteers can sign up for a weekly slot
or when available. To learn more, contact
Shayna at (248) 788-7878, ext. 207.
Temple Beth El’s second annual Day for
Justice is Jan. 14. Volunteers of all ages are
invited to participate in a Mitzvah Day in
honor of the legacy of Martin Luther King
Jr. The day kicks off at 10 a.m. with bagels,
leading into volunteer activities in the tem-
ple and out in the community. Attendees
will support organizations such as JARC,
Detroit Community Fridge, Jewish Senior
Life, Friendship Circle and more. If you
would like to help, sign up at www.tbeon-
line.org/events/day-for-justice-2/.
Adat Shalom’s 10th annual Volunteer
Day invites volunteers of all ages to do
hands-on projects for organizations that are
working to improve lives in Metro Detroit.
The event is on Jan. 14 from 10:30 a.m.-
noon at Adat Shalom Synagogue. Projects
include, but are not limited to, cutting
plastic bags to make plarn (plastic yarn),
assembling baby baskets, making toys for
a local animal shelter and assembling bag
lunches. To sign up, visit https://jlive.app/
events/6196.
Join the Accounting Aid Society and
become a volunteer tax preparer — no
need to be an accountant. As a volunteer
for the Accounting Aid Society, you’ll help
give people greater confidence, a sense of
relief, a better understanding of the tax
system — and money in their pockets. All
while building relationships that last, year
after year. Training is available at several
locations in southeast Michigan, including
colleges. Both new and returning volunteers
take training courses to learn more about
tax issues, credits and changes in the tax law.
Training also includes a computer workshop
so that new volunteers can learn how to use
tax preparation software (Taxslayer). Once
trained, volunteers will take the IRS certifi-
cation tests and submit a background check.
To learn more, visit https://accountingaidso-
ciety.org/volunteers/.
Accent Pontiac promotes social change
through music. The organization focuses on
strengthening Pontiac’s youth and commu-
nity through equitable access to intensive
and consistent music making. Volunteers
are needed to help at Access Pontiac’s
Winter Showcase on the evening of Feb. 15
at the Crofoot. This event showcases the
students’ performance midway through the
year and includes a community afterglow
after the performance. Tasks include greet-
ing guests, selling raffle tickets and setting
up/breaking down tables. To sign up, email
Darcy Miller at dmiller@accentpontiac.
org.
If your organization is looking for volunteers, email
Samantha Foon at samanthafoon14@gmail.com for
possible inclusion in an upcoming column.
FRIENDSHIP CIRCLE
Start out the new year by helping others.
Calling All Volunteers
Samantha
Foon
Contributing
Writer
Friendship Circle’s
Weinberg Village