Volunteer fair fills Dunlap terrace

Biliqis Solademi - Staff Writer

Jamieson Community Center Public Relations Coordinator, Mellissa Johnson shows off her organization at the Volunteer Fair. Photo by Biliqis Solademi.

Last Wednesday, volunteer organizations filled Dunlap terrace including Western Illinois Animal Rescue, Jamieson Community Center, Warren County Falcons Special Olympics, and the Warren County History Museum.  They came to the event with a common agenda, to find volunteers willing to contribute their time and talents to their cause.

The Western Illinois Animal Rescue (WIAR) said they need volunteers to help at the shelters and with other activities such as fundraising. WIAR receives animals from owners who have surrendered them, lost animals, and animals from other shelters around Warren County. Each animal has to be up to date on immunizations and have little chips attached to the side of their necks. The chips help staff to get information about an animal or track its location when it is lost.

The Warren County Falcons Special Olympics offers different sporting activities free of charge for students with intellectual disabilities, like bowling, flag football, golf, track and field. The athletes can earn medals and participate in regional and state championships. For more information on volunteer opportunities and internships, contact Tom Glen at 309-371-6690.

The Warren County History Museum houses artifacts mainly from Monmouth and neighboring cities. Volunteers are needed help sorting out artifacts and planning events, such as The Great Nicola Magic Festival coming up in two weeks.  For further information, call 309-734-8433.

The Jamieson Center provides social services across Warren County through sub- organization’s such as the Community Connection Program; the thrift store; the Senior Nutrition Program, where they incorporate fun into sitting down and having a meal; and the food pantry where families with children can come once in a week to get supplies, while families without children can come in once a month.

Another program, the Jingle Bells Program helps with water and prescription bills. They also provide tutoring for kids between 1^st to 6^th grade who are behind in math, reading, and writing and help students get up to their grade level. For more information, call 309-734-425

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