Rope pull and Lip Sync have always been a part of the Homecoming festivities at UTM.

Something new this year was the Volunteer Fair in the Quad. Local businesses and nonprofit organizations came to UTM to get the word out on volunteering opportunities in the Martin area.

Girl Scouts Reelfoot Council offers flexible opportunities if a student is not able to make a long-term commitment. Whether working directly with girls or teaching a troop a short-term project, volunteers can work with 7,000 girls from 18 counties in West Tennessee.

The American Red Cross provides relief to victims and helps people prevent, prepare and respond to emergencies. Volunteers can collect personal items for disaster comfort kits or become health and safety instructors.

“Training depends on the local area and time. Training can take as little as four weeks with one course per week. Courses are available when enough people show an interest,” said Dave Brumley, an American Red Cross volunteer.

Lifeline provides a safe blood supply to West Tennessee. Each year, patients in West Tennessee hospitals need 26,000 units of blood. You can volunteer by giving blood at Lifeline bloodmobiles that travel around West Tennessee.

Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that tries to bring decent shelter to people living in poverty. Volunteers get together and build houses for underprivileged families. People of all ages can get involved in Habitat for Humanity by helping to build a house or just making the house ready when construction is complete.

Martin Housing Authority provides after-school and summer programs to local low-income children. MHA also provides services for elderly and disabled residents by delivering meals and cleaning their houses. Many ways to volunteer exist, no matter what your interests are.

The Agape House, Child Care Resource & Referral, and Healthy Start provide support for mothers-to-be and new mothers.

The Agape House offers information on prenatal development, parenting classes, counseling, ongoing emotional support and many more services.

Healthy Start and CCR&R provide information for first-time parents with newborn children up to age 3. First-time parents are better able to meet the challenges and adjustments of family life.

Community Developmental Services, or CDS, in Martin provides services to adults with mental disabilities in Northwest Tennessee. CDS offers training programs for adults 22 or older to enhance their personal, interpersonal and work readiness skills. CDS also works with area employers to develop jobs for CDS clients.