The following are some of the volunteer opportunities currently open in Freeborn County. If you can help with any of them or would like to volunteer for others, call Pat Stumme, Retired and Senior Volunteer Program director, at Senior Resources, 377-7433.

Respite caregivers: Family Caregivers Network needs people who can sit with care receivers for a couple hours on various occasions so that the caregiver can get out to appointments, do their shopping, etc. This is simply keeping people company, not health care.

Bellringers: Plan now when you can help the Salvation Army raise funds ringing bells to provide gifts to make Christmas a better time for area residents. It’s a two-hour shift at Nelson’s, Shopko, Walmart or indoors at Hy-Vee. Add your name to the schedule by calling 373-5710 at the Salvation Army.

Medical escort: Some frail and elderly people need company on trips to the doctor. Ride in the van with a resident from Thorne Crest to the Albert Lea Medical Center or meet the resident there and sit with that person in the waiting room. Make sure the resident gets on the van back to the nursing home after having seen the doctor.

RSVP, a program of Senior Resources of Freeborn County, receives some funding through the United Way of Freeborn County, the Minnesota Board on Aging and the Corporation for National and Community Service.