30 | APRIL 11 • 2024
J
N
I
n my research for this monthly
column, I come across all sorts
of interesting organizations and
opportunities. This month, I’ve come
across something I cannot wait to sign
up for.
The Polk Penguin
Conservation Center
at the Detroit Zoo is
the largest and most
extraordinary center for
penguins in the world.
The facility features a
326,000-gallon, 25-foot-
deep aquatic area where
visitors can watch as more than 75
penguins of five species explore
their habitat and deep-dive. Two
acrylic underwater tunnels provide
breathtaking views of the birds as they
swim above and around — and even
below. Volunteers called “Penguin
People” assist Guest Relations staff
while enjoying quality time with the
inhabitants. After a two-hour online
training module and one-hour online
live Q&A session with the curator of
birds, adult volunteers can sign up for
flexible, year-round shifts ranging from
2.5-3 hours each. How amazing!
Does your teen love animals?
The Zoo Corps program provides
teens opportunities for personal and
professional development as they
become leaders and environmental
stewards in their communities. This
program is offered both year-round
and summer only. To find out more
about volunteering at the Detroit Zoo,
visit detroitzoo.org/support/volunteer.
Volunteers are an essential part of
Cranbrook House & Gardens and do
everything from gardening and leading
tours to event planning and fundraising.
An overview of volunteer opportunities
can be viewed here: housegardens.
cranbrook.edu/support/volunteer.
The Furniture Bank of Southeastern
Michigan has a long legacy of
committed volunteers. There are a
variety of ways you can help and you
don’t even have to move furniture!
Office volunteers help the furniture
bank schedule pickup appointments
that allow the organization to provide
children and families in need with
essential, gently used furniture. Shifts
are typically 9 a.m.-noon and 1-4 p.m.
Monday-Thursday or 9 a.m.-noon on
Friday. To apply, visit furniture-bank.
org/volunteer.
Jewish Federation’s Global Volunteer
Hub has launched a new virtual
volunteering initiative, in partnership
with ENGin, that matches English-
speaking volunteers with Ukrainians
seeking to sharpen their English skills
for one-on-one weekly conversation
practice and cultural exchange. If this
is something you’d like to do, visit app.
enginprogram.org/%23/jfna.
The 11th annual Big House 5K is
coming up this month. This event is an
exciting run/walk that courses through
the University of Michigan campus
before participants finish the race on
the 50-yard line of Michigan Stadium.
Over 200 volunteers are needed to assist
with packet pickup, T-shirt distribution
and handing out race bibs. If you’d
like to volunteer between April 18-21,
visit runsignup.com/Race/Volunteer/
MI/AnnArbor/BigHouse5K.
If your organization is looking for volunteers, please
email Samantha Foon at samanthafoon14@gmail.
com for possible inclusion in an upcoming column.
POLK PENGUIN CONSERVATION CENTER
Volunteer opportunities are available at the Detroit
Zoo, among other worthy organizations.
Samantha
Foon
Contributing
Writer
OUR COMMUNITY
Are You a Penguin Person?