Cochise Cares

Boys and Girls Club of Sierra Vista

Looking for tutors during the school year, every Monday through Thursday from 5 pm to 6 pm, youth participate in a program called Power Hour. During this time, all youth must participate in tutoring, homework help, or one of our high-yield learning activities. Great opportunity to polish teaching skills. Contact the Boys and Girls Club.

CANTER

Since 1993, CANTER (Cochise Area Network of Therapeutic Equestrian Resources) has been providing youngsters and adults with a therapeutic riding program that helps with balance, posture, strength, dexterity, self-confidence and much more. The CANTER facility, located at 7388 E. Chief Joseph Drive in Sierra Vista is accredited by PATH (Professional Association of Therapeutic Horsemanship) and is one of three Premier Accredited riding centers in the state. Contact CANTER via email to volunteer.

Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA)

A Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) volunteer is a trained citizen who is appointed by a judge to represent the best interests of a child in court. Most of the children are victims of abuse and neglect and have been removed from their homes and placed in foster care. Children in foster care who have a CASA volunteer are more likely to succeed in school and adjust to change. And they’re half as likely to re-enter the foster care system later. As a volunteer, you can make all the different for a child who has experienced abuse or neglect in your community. There are currently over 200 children from Cochise County who are involved in the foster care system – will you be their voice? Visit www.CASAofCochiseCounty.org to apply.

American Red Cross Blood Drives

The American Red Cross is always looking for donors and volunteers to help out with blood drives. There are several each semester on both the Douglas and Sierra Vista Campuses. Visit the American Red Cross website to find a drive near you.

Douglas Food Bank

The Douglas Food Bank provides those in need with food items. Help is needed with unloading, organizing and distributing food donations. Every 3rd Monday of the month (except holidays) 7:00am-noon Tuesday’s & Thursday’s Pantry Visits 8am.  The address for is 660 G Avenue Douglas, AZ 85607.  Contact is Raul Hernandez at dafb66@gmail.com.

Ronald McDonald House of Tucson

The mission of Ronald McDonald House Charities of Southern Arizona is to create, find and support programs that directly improve the health and well being of children and their families.

Our house in Tucson provides no cost lodging to the families of children receiving medical treatment in Tucson. A majority of the residents at our Tucson House are Cochise County residents. We all love “comfort food.” At Ronald McDonald House, the term takes on new meaning through the home-cooked meals we provide at no additional cost to our guests. Our Chef for a Day program is a satisfying, creative and fun way for a group to volunteer. Put together a team (of no more than 12 people) to come and prepare a meal for the residents.

SEAGO Area Agency on Aging

SEAGO Area Agency on Aging is looking for dedicated, resourceful volunteers. Many of the programs offered through the Area Agency on Aging rely on committed volunteers to make their programs successful and to meet the increasing need for services in out communities. The Area Agency on Aging needs help with medicare/benefits counseling, long-term care ombudsman, Matter of Balance Lay Leaders, administrative office assistance, Volunteers coordination and more. For more information give us a call at (520)-432-2528 or email aging@seago.org.

Sonoran Prevention Works (SPW)

Sonoran Prevention Works (SPW) is a harm reduction organization that works to end health disparities faced by those made vulnerable by drug use & other high-risk behaviors in Arizona through harm reduction focused education, advocacy, and evidence-based programming. We’re looking for volunteers to help us assemble harm reduction kits and participate in street outreach.

• Harm Reduction Kits: As a kit maker, you pick up supplies from an SPW staff member, assemble the kits at home, and return the kits within one week of pick up.
• Street Outreach: Join our SPW staff members to participate in street outreach to connect with people who use drugs and their loved ones and get folks access to the resources and information they need to keep themselves safe.

Contact: Apply to volunteer online today. For more information, contact SPW’s Volunteer Manager, Rachel Sherman – rsherman@spwaz.org // (623)-632-7907.

Do you volunteer at your church? Teaching Sunday school, cleaning pews, yard work, assisting in Bible study teaching, etc. All hours in which you are not paid count towards your volunteer service award. Make sure to log your hours.

Adopt an Area

Adopt an Area is helping keep Sierra Vista a beautiful, livable community.

Interested in helping keep Sierra Vista a beautiful, livable community? Consider adoption! There are several amenities you can take under the wing of your family, group, or organization. Here are the current opportunities:

• Adopt a Multi-use Path
• Adopt a Public Recreation Space
• Adopt a Neighborhood Park
• Adopt an Event
• Adopt a Street

Friends of the San Pedro River

Friends of the San Pedro River is the face and voice of the San Pedro River. Friends is a mostly volunteer, non-profit organization dedicated to conservation and restoration of the river through advocacy, education, interpretation, and fieldwork. They coordinate closely with the BLM and the land manager of the San Pedro Riparian National Conservation Area. The group engages with the local community and its leaders to promote the river as a vital and treasured resource.

Cochise County Fair Association

Cochise County Fair Association is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting the people and products of Cochise County, Arizona by providing a venue for the exposition of their cultural heritage, economic possibilities, and the educational achievements and projects of our citizens. Volunteers are needed to perform office work, grounds work, cleaning, painting etc. Contact this organization via email at cochisectyfair@qwestoffice.net.

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program in Sierra Vista. VITA, working with Catholic Community Services, the Goodwill Employment Center and Arizona at Work in Sierra Vista, provides free tax preparation to low-income families, seniors, disabled individuals, and limited-English speakers. Additional locations in Tombstone and Douglas, Arizona.

Additional volunteers for the next tax year are needed!  This is an excellent opportunity for students to learn about the IRS income tax system and learn job skills and responsibilities while contributing to our community.  Some of the advantages of the program include:

No previous experience required,

IRS provides free software, classroom and on-line tax law training and materials,

Community Partners provide mentors for training purposes,

Flexible volunteer hours,

Various volunteer duty positions, and

It’s a great way to make new friends.

Volunteers of all ages and backgrounds are welcome. In addition to preparing Federal and Arizona Tax returns, volunteers are needed to greet taxpayers and help organize their paperwork, manage tax sites, and handle quality control, and assist with Spanish/English interpretation. For more information contact Norman Wigton.

Boulder Crest Retreat

Boulder Crest’s mission is to provide free, world class, short-duration, high-impact retreats for combat veterans and their families. We exist to solve the mental health crisis and to heal our military members, veterans, and their families dealing with PTSD and combat-related stress, so they can live productive, fulfilling, and service-oriented lives at home. Our greatest volunteer need is the day-to-day support necessary for maintaining a 5-star experience and facility for our deserving military and veteran families. This includes grounds maintenance (planting in the garden, weeding, mulching and creek mucking), maintaining beautiful facilities (turning over cabins, making beds, cooking, and kitchen cleaning), and general office and administrative support. Please note that during PATHH, volunteer opportunities are only available to adults, due to the nature and intensity of the program. All contributions of time make a meaningful difference and are critical to our overall success. Contact Codi McCaw at codi.mccaw@bouldercrestretreat.org to get more information.

Disabled American Veterans (DAV) Chapter 14

The DAV in Sierra Vista is an active organization that empowers veterans to lead high-quality lives with respect and dignity. They are always looking for volunteers in many different capacities. The DAV website has more information about how to get involved.

Honor Flight Southern Arizona

Would you like to be a guardian? Guardians play a significant role to ensure that every Veteran has a safe and memorable experience. From the moment the Veterans arrive at the airport, until we return them to their loves ones, Guardians are asked to treat these heroes as if they were family and ensure every Veteran has a sage and honoring experience. Guardians applications and more information is available on their website.

USO Arizona on Fort Huachuca

Support America’s service members and their families! Our volunteers are the heart and soul of the USO mission. They keep America’s service members connected to family, home, and country. Current volunteer opportunities with the USO Arizona on Fort Huachuca include: USO Center Representative, Special Events Volunteers, and more! For more information sign up at the volunteer website.

International Humanitarian Aid & Disaster Relief Organization (IHADRO)

Our mission is to be a responder to individuals and organizations in times of need; delivering humanitarian and disaster aid scale at no cost to the receiver. Volunteers will have various type of duties to include but not limited to; drywall/debris removal, donation management, food and supply distribution. Website for organization and contact email at ihadro@yahoo.com.

AZ Town Hall

Arizona Town Hall is a non-profit organization that brings diverse people together to solve critical and often divisive policy issues. Learn more on their website about how you can get involved.

Get involved in your local governance!

• City of Bisbee
• City of Douglas
• City of Sierra Vista

Kiwanis Club of Sierra Vista

Our club sponsors several student leadership programs in Sierra Vista:  Buena High School Key Club, CAS Key Club, CAS Builders Club, and Huachuca Mountain K-Kids, Ft. Huachuca K-Kids and Smith Builders Club.   These student leadership programs help over 250 students learn about service and leadership each month.

Our service projects include highway clean up, Honoring Distinguished High School Graduates, Canned food drive for local food banks, TERRIFIC Kids Program, Bring Up Grades Program, Don’t Meth With Us Program, awarding three high school scholarships and our Young Children Priority One project- reading to Preschool students and giving them books to promote literacy.

Rotary Clubs

Rotary is a global network of 1.2 million neighbors, friends, leaders, and problem-solvers who see a world where people unite and take action to create lasting change – across the globe, in our communities, and in ourselves.

Solving real problems takes real commitment and vision. For more than 110 years, Rotary’s people of action have used their passion, energy, and intelligence to take action on sustainable projects. From literacy and peace to water and health, we are always working to better our world, and we stay committed to the end.

Listing of the Rotary Clubs in Cochise County:

• Bisbee Rotary Club
• Douglas Rotary Club
• Sierra Vista Rotary Club
• Sierra Vista South Rotary Club
• Sierra Vista Sunrise Rotary Club
• Sierra Vista West Club

Friends of the SV Animal Shelter

This organization augments the financial ability of Nancy J. Brua Animal Care Center with assistance for emergency medical care and rehabilitation of shelter pets and to increase public awareness of animal health and welfare issues in Cochise County. Email Jane Strain at jstrain801@gmail.com for more information.