A lot of people make New Year’s resolutions. Many have resolved to eat less junk food or spend more time with their family, while others want to shed those few extra pounds gained during the holidays.

However, there is one resolution that can be made that perhaps many haven’t thought of before— resolving to donate some free time and become a volunteer by assisting others in need.

Many human service organizations in Cedartown are offered that thrive on volunteer work.

The Cedartown United Fund and the CASA organization are two main agencies that are dedicated to serving the community.

The United Fund is an agency that offers assistance to those in need. They provide a clothing bank, a food pantry, prescription drug assistance and toys to underprivileged children at Christmas time.

According to Anne Edge, Fund secretary, volunteers are most needed to help raise funds. The organization is funded solely through one fundraiser per year and volunteers are needed to assure that enough money is raised for adequate program operations.

Edge also states that volunteers are used to operate the clothing bank and food pantry.

“The volunteer positions are open to anyone,” Edge says, “who is willing to help.”

More information about the United Fund can be obtained by calling Edge at 770-748-1215.

CASA, which stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates, provides a voice for children in court who have been temporarily removed from their home.

As another organization that needs volunteers, CASA’s goal is that every child has a voice in the courtroom.

Pam Whiteside, director of CASA, states that anyone can be a child advocate. However, they must have a background check, be willing to commit to one year of service and participate in 40 hours worth of training and 10 hours of internship.

Basically, CASA serves as the eyes and ears of the court. They interview anyone who may be able to help shed light on a child’s needs. Volunteers then go to court and make recommendations to the judge, based on their independent assessment about what is in the child’s best interest.

Funding for this organization is headed by the Georgia CASA, local fundraisers, donations and grants.

More information on CASA may also be found by visiting the National CASA association web site www.casanet.org or by calling Tallapoosa CASA at 770-505-0065 or 770-748-2414.

There are many other organizations in the community that also provide assistance to those in need.

The Samaritan House, located on Wissahickon Street, provides a food pantry and also is in charge of the free lunch program. Its funded by the Polk County Ministerial Association and its food pantry is run by volunteers from local churches.

Many local churches are on the volunteer list and according to Peggy Reid, Samaritan House coordinator, these churches have a contact person at their church. Anyone wishing to volunteer at the Samaritan House can do so by talking with his or her churches’ contact person, or by calling Reid at 770-748-1722.

The Boys and Girls Club of Cedartown also uses volunteers to provide the young community with activities.

According to Brian Carroll, program organizer, the club provides activities such as homework help, career education classes, leadership enrichment classes, character development, art programs and recreational activities.

Anyone 18 or older can volunteer to help with the Boys and Girls Club.

For more information about volunteering call 770-749-0869.

The Polk County Battered and Abused Women’s Shelter, Our House, is yet another organization that is looking for volunteers. According to Teresa Smith, Our House director, the volunteering program is under the direction of Carol Binger.

“Starting out,” Smith states, “we needed volunteers to help man the crisis line. Now though, since we have a shelter that is up and running we need fund raiser volunteers.”

The shelter has other volunteer positions open like assisting with the maintenance of the shelter and working with the crisis line.

More information can be obtained by calling the Our House business office at 770-748-2300.

The American Red Cross has an office located in Rome, but works for citizens of Polk County as well. According to Jean Lambert, local volunteers respond to disasters in Polk. The most common disasters are house fires, in which the volunteer works with the family who have been displaced by fire.

“There are many volunteer positions for anyone wishing to help. There are a wide variety of things and most everyone can find one they want to assist in.”

Interested persons can call the Red Cross office at 706-291-6648.