Wednesday, Jul. 01, 2009

Stars & Stripes Celebration Still Needs Volunteers

Opportunities to Lend a Hand Abound this Summer in Southlake

By Lance Murray

Contributing Writer

If you have a passion for volunteering, the city of Southlake has some pressing needs for volunteers of all ages with various city programs and events.

Crystal Shafer, community services coordinator, said volunteers are still needed for Stars and Stripes event on July 3 at Southlake’s Town Square.

Shafer said the number of people volunteering with city programs and events varies from event to event.

She said that volunteers at Stars and Stripes are needed to help staff barricades, help at craft tables and assist city staff with set up and clean up.

As a perk, volunteers to this event will get a ringside seat for this year’s fireworks display on Friday evening. "Some departments have 'regular’ volunteers while other departments have volunteers that may only volunteer one time or infrequently," Shafer said. "Every event is different, too. Some need a small number of volunteers and others, like Stars and Stripes, need many."

In addition to the Stars and Stripes event, the city sponsored Camp Mania event also needs volunteer help.

Camp Mania, is a series of weekly camp activities that run through the week of Aug. 3. The camp, at Eubanks Intermediate/Dawson Middle School, is open to children ages 5 to 11, according to the city’s Web site. Camp activities include skating, games, field trips and swimming.

At Summer Camp Mania, Shafer said that volunteers are asked to assist camp staff with games and activities. They also help set up and break down the activities and games and help organize the campers for activities, among other things.

"The recreation department [also] needs volunteers for special events, athletic coaches, and help with programs like Southlake Saturday Nite, camps and pre-school programs," Schafer said.

If you are someone who enjoys books, you may be able to volunteer at the Southlake Public Library, doing tasks that include restocking books and helping library patrons find materials. "In addition, the Department of Public Safety, Teen Court and the Senior Activity Center utilize volunteers," Shafer said.

For more information on available volunteer opportunities, see the city’s volunteer Web site at www.volunteersouthlake.com. You can contact Shafer directly with questions at www.cityofsouthlake.com or 817-748-8311.