The World Center for Birds of Prey is expanding its volunteer program and is looking for volunteers to fill a number of positions.

The good news: Volunteers don't need to be bird experts; they just have to have a passion for the welfare of birds of prey and an enthusiasm for sharing it with visitors to the center, said Genny Gerke, volunteer coordinator and education specialist.

Gerke sent us a brief description of available volunteer positions:

• Interpretive Center ambassadors: to greet visitors in the gift shop and take admission sales.

• Research Library volunteers: To help the small library staff organize and maintain the collection used by researchers across the world.

• School tour guides: To lead 90-minute tours for students ranging in age from kindergarten to high school.

If you think this is a volunteer match for you, contact Gerke by phone or email at 362-8260 or ggerke@peregrinefund.org to get an application. She will review the applications then hold informal interviews and an orientation session.

The Peregrine Fund, which supports the Center, was founded in 1970 to help save the peregrine falcon from extinction. Those efforts helped get the bird taken off the endangered species list in 1999. The center worked ever since to advocate and educate about birds of prey.

The center is at 5668 W. Flying Hawk Ln. in Boise.

DOING GOOD WITH CORKS 4 A CURE

This program teaches people about alternative recycling programs that give new life to unexpected items like corks, glasses and any other object that might not seem recyclable at first.

The program raises money for various causes in the community, including the annual MS walk for people with multiple sclerosis, Susan G. Komen and Second Chance Building Supply.

Corks 4 a Cure is hosting two fundraisers in anticipation of Walk MS 2013, which takes place April 20 in Boise:

• Cork Collection and Wine Tasting, 6 to 8 p.m. Feb 21 at Bueno Cheapo Vino Wine Shop, 770 S. Vista Ave. in Boise.

• Paws 4 MS at the Idaho Humane Society, 4 to 6 p.m., March 27 at the Idaho Humane Society Education Room, 4775 Dorman St. in Boise.

TREASURE VALLEY SALSA DONATES TO LOCAL SCHOOLS

It's not all about tomatoes and jalapenos. The local salsa company recently donated $1,569 to the Boise Public Schools Education Foundation and Meridian Education Foundation through its ongoing charitable program.

The program, begun last March, donates 10 cents from every jar of salsa sold to retail stores in the school district boundaries.

The company produces its salsa at the University of Idaho's Food Technology Center in Caldwell.

5TH ANNUAL "SPAY" GHETTI NO BALLS

Yes, the name of the event means what you think it does. The nonprofit SNIP, "Spay and Neuter Idaho Pets" organization, hosts this fundraiser, complete with live and silent auction, live music, dinner and more, 5 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, at the BSU Simplot Ballroom, 1700 University Dr. in Boise.

One hundred percent of the proceeds will support SNIP's mission to reduce the overpopulation of cats and dogs, ultimately preventing pet homelessness in the Treasure Valley. Since its founding in 2008, SNIP has paid to spay and neuter over 2,400 cats and dogs for people who didn't have the resources to pay for the surgeries.

The organization is also making progress towards opening its own spay and neuter clinic. Negotiations are under way to secure a clinic site in downtown Nampa. The Humane Alliance National Spay Neuter Response Team, a national organization that has helped open more than 115 similar clinics across the country has selected SNIP for mentoring.

Tickets for the 18-and-older fundraiser are $35 each, $250 for a table of eight, available at www.snipidaho.org.

BOISE'S OWN 'ANTIQUES ROADSHOW'

Have some mysterious antiques you'd like to know more about? The Idaho State Historical Museum is once again hosting its always popular "What's it Worth" event, where experts will weigh in about your stuff, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Sunday, Feb. 24, at the museum, 610 N. Julia Davis Drive, Boise. $5 per person, $10 per item to be evaluated.

Proceeds help fund the museum's new exhibition, "Essential Idaho," featuring 150 things that make the Gem State unique. The exhibition opens March 4. 334-2120. Sneak peek: The exhibition includes Craters of the Moon National Monument, pioneer Polly Bemis' tennis shoes and Franklin, Idaho's first town site, founded in 1860 by Mormon pioneers who mistakenly believed they were still in Utah.

'HELPING WORKS' BLOG RETURNS

The blog will accompany this column at idahostatesman.com and will be a place to find more nonprofit news. Find the blog on the Statesman's home page at idahostatesman.com.

Anna Webb: 377-6431