Eastern Illinois University (EIU) is now accepting volunteers for a mentoring event from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 22, for kindergarteners on the grounds of Mark Twain Elementary School at 1021 13th St., Charleston.

Volunteers will be mentoring elementary students by helping out during recess and lunchtime, exposing the children to diversity and providing positive adult role models for the youngsters.

Participants will meet up first in Room 3065 of the MLK Union Student Community Service Office located at 600 Lincoln Ave., Charleston, before congregating at the Mark Twain Elementary School.

Helpers will support students in kindergarten while they have lunch and then interact and play with them at recess. An EIU representative stated that this is a very fun age group, with open and talkative young children who will benefit greatly from spending time with adult volunteers.

Assistants are advised to dress for the weather: if it is 25 degrees or above, the group will enjoy an outdoor recess, spending a half hour outside.

EIU’s event notice stated: “Help brighten a local child’s day and have a blast.”

Volunteers are welcome at all of the City of Charleston’s events. Signing up to help can be accomplished via a variety of channels, from advance registration to serving on an on-call list.