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