Make the resolution: volunteer

Though volunteer opportunities abound in Southeast Missouri, the Volunteer Intergenerational Center named 10 agencies that could use a helping hand in 2010. It wasn't an easy job for assistant director Andi Malick, as the Retired Senior Volunteer Program/Volunteer Intergeneratio nal Center coordinates volunteer opportunities for roughly 130 organizations. To view all the opportunities or specific jobs needed, visit www.vicrsvp.org or www.unitedwayofsemo.org. Here is a sampling of what's available:Southeast Missouri Food Bank. The food bank recently completed a new volunteer room where people can help separate food for distribution to food centers.

Habitat for Humanity. The local chapters build modest houses for local people, who also put in hours building their own house and those of others in the program. For the less carpentry inclined, Restore, the Habitat thrift store on Middle Street, can use a hand or two.

The school district. The school districts have dozens of opportunities to read to kids, be teachers aides or participate in the pilot program at Central Junior High that involves greeters, lunch buddies and homework assistants in students' lives. The Backpack Program also needs people to help fill book bags at noon on Fridays so underprivileged children can have food for the weekend.

Nursing home facilities. Malick said any nursing home in the area appreciates visitors who talk to residents, make crafts or play Bingo with residents or decorate for holidays like Christmas or the upcoming Valentine's Day. "They're always looking for people to decorate for anything," she said.

American Red Cross. The humanitarian organization always needs help with blood drives, people not only donating their blood, but helping at the drives. The Red Cross also trains people in disaster response.

Boys and Girls Club. The organization has an after school program people can help students with homework and interact with them in a positive atmosphere.

Senior Centers. The Cape Girardeau Senior Center serves breakfast and lunch to people inside the facility on Clark Street, but it also needs volunteers to deliver meals to homebound people who may get no other interaction or meal.

Animal shelters. The Humane Society of Southeast Missouri and Safe Harbor need people to help walk dogs, clean cages, help with fundraisers and with the mobile adoption, where they bring animals to Petco for adoption.

Salvation Army. The yearly red kettle bell ringer campaign just ended, but the Salvation Army does more than ring bells at Christmas. The facility serves meals the last full week of every month and conducts clothing drives.

Department of Parks and Recreation. VIC recruits volunteers to help clean parks, work at the SEMO District Fair and set up and scare people in the annual Haunted Hall of Horrors in October.