A local organization is working to connect area service groups with residents willing to lend a hand.

The Marshall County Family Resource Network is in the process of developing a volunteer resource guide for individuals and groups to use when looking for ways to volunteer in Marshall County.

According to Stacie Dei, executive director, the guide will be an informational tool concerning organizations based in or serving the needs of Marshall County residents and will list volunteer needs and opportunities for each. Dei added the goal of the project is to increase awareness of where volunteer needs and exist and link those needs with people looking for ways to give back to the community.

“We have such great relationships with all the organizations in the community and they’re doing great work. A lot of times their projects need volunteers,” Dei said. “I also have relationships with youth groups and other members of the community that want to be a part of that. I think there’s a barrier or disconnect between those opportunities and the people who would like to be a part of them. We just want to eliminate one of those barriers and provide a resource to community members so they can line up their interests with what’s locally available.”

Several area organizations have already agreed to be listed in the upcoming guide, in the form of a pamphlet kept at the network’s Second Street office in Moundsville and distributed throughout the area. Organizations to be listed range from Cameron’s Blue and Gold Christian Center to veteran services group Helping Heroes.

According to Dei, the guide will assist volunteers in understanding age requirements, liability information, average expected time commitments and specific qualifications like background checks, along with contact information service descriptions. The guide will also be available for download on the Family Resource Network’s redesigned website, to be finished this spring.

Organizations can request to be included in the guide through 5 p.m.today. The questionnaire can be returned via e-mail at marshallcountyfrn@comcast.net or by fax to 304-845-3360.

Interested parties may call 304-845-3300 with any questions.