LEWISTON — The nation’s volunteers will be celebrated during National Volunteer Week April 15-21. Several local agencies, hospitals and organizations recognize their volunteers for thousands of hours of service each year during this time and throughout the year for their dedication to volunteerism.

A volunteer fair will take place from 2 to 6 p.m. Monday, April 16, at SeniorsPlus, 8 Falcon Road. Those interested in volunteering can learn more about local organizations, including United Way, SeniorsPlus, Central Maine Medical Center, Good Shepherd Food Bank, Lewiston Public Library, American Red Cross, SEARCH of Catholic Charities and VISTA Program.

According to a federal study called the Independent Sector which measures the value of volunteer time, the average dollar value per hour of volunteer time is $21.36. The average volunteer contributes 25 hours per quarter or 100 hours per year.

In Androscoggin and surrounding counties there are volunteers contributing time in health care, social programs and the arts. They work with people of all ages and the volunteers themselves range from their teens to into their 90’s.

Androscoggin county is fortunate to have an organization recently created for volunteer managers/coordinators both paid and unpaid called the Androscoggin Volunteer Association or AVA. This group meets monthly at the United Way offices at 66 Ash St. Any local volunteer leader is welcome to join. Contact Susan Hedrich, DVS, at CMMC, 795-2472, or Heather Brown, volunteer coordinator at Seniors Plus, 795-4010.

For volunteer opportunities, contact the following local agencies participating in Volunteer Week:

Central Maine Medical Center: www.cmmc.org, 795-2470;

American Red Cross United Valley;

Lewiston Public Library: Megan Emery, 513-3133, [email protected] or visit www.VolunteerMaine.org;

Safe Voices: 795-6744, ext. 14, [email protected] or visit www.safevoices.org;

United Way of Androscoggin County;

The Center for Wisdom’s Women: www.wisdomswomen.org, 513-3922;

Catholic Charities SEARCH: Wendy Russell, 784-0157;

Tree Street Youth: Julia Sleeper, [email protected] or 577-6386;

BookReach: Nancy O’Toole, 513-3004, ext. 3515, or [email protected];

Good Shepherd Food Bank: Elise Corbally-Hammond, 782-3554 or [email protected].