August is a month full of possibilities, from applying for art competitions to volunteering as a tutor. KGOU provides a comprehensive list of community meetings, volunteer opportunities, and fundraisers as we begin to wind down the summer.

Volunteer Opportunities:

The Oklahoma City Metro Literacy Coalition seeks volunteers and tutors. Anyone interested is invited to the Literacy Volunteer Engagement networking meeting at the United Way Building on August 9th at 11:30 a.m. RSVP is requested for this informational meeting.

The Council for International Educational Exchange needs host families to foreign exchange students for the upcoming school year. 67 countries participate in the exchange. Applications for host families are accepted on-line through the end of the month.

Community Meetings:

The Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits holds a luncheon for local organizations on August 10th at the High Plains Technology Center in Woodward from noon to 1:30 p.m. The meeting is a chance for organizations to network and find out about membership with the center.

Former Milwaukee Mayor John Norquist and Ourston Roundabout Engineering President Mark Lenters speak at the OKC Councilor and Friends for A Better Boulevard town hall meeting on August 13th at 6:30 p.m. At “Highway to Boulevard: Reclaiming and Revitalizing Our City,” participants discuss traffic management, urban planning, and the benefits of Highway-to-Boulevard conversion at the OKC Farmers Public Market.

The City of Norman’s High Density Development Community Discussion meetings continue August 13th in the conference center of Norman High School from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The fifth meeting focuses on design criteria of high density development.

Fundraisers:

Shop Good in Oklahoma City holds its annual charity block party style fundraiser Mustache Bash on August 9th. From 5:00 p.m. to midnight, local bands perform, area restaurants provide food, and participants wear faux mustaches. Proceeds benefit Positive Tomorrows, a school for Oklahoma City’s disadvantaged children.

The Jewel Foundation raises money to preserve Oklahoma City's historic Jewel theatre with its 1st annual Blues Festival at the A & J Eastwood Event Center in Midwest City. The doors open at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 11th. Performances by acts such as Clarence Carter, Mel Waiters, and Garret "Big G" Jacobson continue until 11:00 p.m.

The 8th annual Midnight Streak, a 5-K run for the arts, takes place August 11th beginning at 9:00 p.m. at City Arts Center. This year’s theme is “Cool-er Runnings” inspired by the movie “Cool Runnings.” Before the run at 11:00 p.m., local ska/reggae band Sunny Side Up performs, and the Oklahoma Astronomy Club provides a glow-in-the-dark children’s activities tent. Proceeds benefit City Arts Center.

Additional Opportunities of Interest:

Artist can submit pieces for the FISH 2012 International Art Competition through the end of the month.

Neighborhoods can register their events now through Neighborhood Alliance for Neighbor’s Night Out taking place on September 11th.

The final days to nominate artists for the Oklahoma Arts Council’s 37th Annual Governor’s Arts Awards are this week. Applications are accepted through 5:00 p.m. on Friday.

The Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Food, and Forestry’s Agricultural Enhancement and Diversification Program is accepting applications for grants through October 1st.

Find more opportunities and events like these by visiting our calendar page.