01:00 AM EST on Sunday, November 28, 2004

The Autism Project of R.I. needs volunteers to help plan and implement their annual walk that will take place on April 10 of next year. Volunteers are needed to serve as volunteer coordinator, corporate team coordinators and school coordinators. Volunteers are also needed to help with several other aspects of the event. The first meeting for event volunteers will be held on Monday, Dec. 6, at 7 p.m. in Cranston. Volunteers are also needed to help plan and implement fundraising activities, help brainstorm for events, plan events, solicit auction items and more. Contact Mary Farhoumand at (401) 785-2666, or e-mail mary [at] theautismproject.org.

Recycling for R.I. Education needs volunteers to help out with the Rhode Island Festival of Trees, Dec. 3 through 5 (times vary depending on the day). The festival includes a public display of 100 one-of-a-kind professionally decorated trees, a showcase of hand-crafted wreaths, a gingerbread village, musical entertainment and lots more. Funds raised benefit local agencies that serve children. Volunteers are needed at the festival all three days to represent RRIE. Volunteers receive two free tickets to the festival. Contact Priscilla Miller at (401) 781-1521, or e-mail rrieorg [at] netzero.net.

AIDS Project Rhode Island is seeking AIDS Prevention Performers to participate in public performances of group dramatic readings based on oral history interviews that have been conducted by the Brown AIDS Oral History Project. Volunteers will work with Brown University students and other youth from the Providence community to promote AIDS prevention and awareness. Volunteers must commit to two to three hours per week for rehearsals and performances. Contact Linda Darman at (401) 831-5522, or e-mail linda [at] aidsprojectri.org.

As part of its Professional Development Workshop Series, the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island will be holding workshops for nonprofits and others who work with volunteers. "Family-Friendly Volunteering: Tapping into the Power" includes two sessions. The first session, "An Introduction to Family Volunteering and Your Agency" Dec. 9 from 1 to 4 p.m. in Providence. The second session, "Strengthening Your Family Volunteer Program," will feature a representative from the insurance industry for an in-depth look at specific risk management topics. It's Feb. 8 from 9 to noon in Cranston. For information and to register, call (401) 421-6547.

These volunteer opportunities are provided by the Volunteer Center of Rhode Island. To place a listing, or to find out more about listings, call (401) 421-6547 or (800) VOLUNTEER; to search volunteer opportunities, go to www.vcri.org.