Too bad there isn’t a Web page for personal ads from nonprofits seeking volunteers: “Friendly organization seeks fun, enthusiastic volunteers who like children and the outdoors” or “Architectural treasure seeks friendly volunteers who like children, crafts and history.”

At the northern border of Hinsdale, along Spring Road, two unique opportunities await. The Graue Mill and Museum and Fullersburg Woods need you, whether you are a teen, a senior or in-between; a crafter, nature lover or history buff.

At Graue Mill, the miller, hostesses and docents are part-time, paid positions and volunteers are primarily spinners and weavers who attend training classes at the Graue House, which are taught from a historical perspective on antique equipment.

“You need to enjoy working with children and other visitors. That’s the primary characteristic we look for in our volunteers,” said Sandra Brubaker, Graue Mill’s executive director, who began as a volunteer herself 16 years ago.

Every year from April to May and September to October, more than 8,000 school age children from Illinois, Indiana and Wisconsin visit the Graue Mill. Visitors range from preschool to junior college, although most of the visitors are third- and fourth-graders studying pioneers or fifth- and sixth-graders studying the Civil War. Volunteers teach through demonstration.Six-year volunteer Mickey Anderson of Wheaton describes the process of creating yarn as she uses the spinning wheel.

“It’s fun showing kids how things were done,” said Anderson.

Four-year volunteer Judy Krusinger of Bensenville works on a 100-year-old loom, creating towels and placemats. Over the years, she has come to love the atmosphere at the Mill.

“You walk in the door and you start feeling better. I’ve met the nicest people here,” said Krusinger.

Volunteers may help at special events but, generally, the time commitment is two-and-a-half hours twice a month. Shifts are 10 a.m. to noon and noon to 2 p.m. from April through October. In October, the Mill hosts a volunteer appreciate dinner. Currently there are about 50 volunteers — a number Brubaker would like to double.

“Everyone is happy to be here,” says Brubaker. “It’s a lovely location. There’s just something about the building.”

From the Graue Mill, it is a short stroll to Fullersburg Woods. Naturalist Jim Walser, a 29-year employee, coordinates the volunteer programs. Like the Graue Mill, the demand for volunteers is most critical during the school year.

Most groups are preschool through third grade. Fullersburg Woods has developed grade-level programs to teach children about trees and bugs in the fall or play at being a nature detective. The most popular is the Maple Syrup program.

“We get about six school groups a day for the month of March,” said Walser.

Volunteer naturalists commit to one day a week, generally from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. March to May and September through October. Training is scheduled for a couple of days in the spring and fall.

“It’s a nice time of the year to volunteer because there aren’t too many bugs and it’s not too hot or too cold,” Walser pointed out.

Fullersburg Woods has a great opportunity for teenagers who are interested in nature. Junior Naturalists, for ages 14 and up, commit to one afternoon a month in the Resource Center, a program room with hands-on, interactive exhibits, plus work days.

“If you are thinking about it for fall, it would be good to come in and fill out an application,” said Walser.

Aside from volunteer naturalists who work with small groups of school children, Fullersburg Woods needs help with work days, special events and indoors at the visitor and resource centers. The greatest need is for volunteers who can commit for just one day.

“We have a variety of nature work days involving natural resource management tasks,” said Walser.

Individuals, families, Scouts and other groups are needed to pull garlic mustard and cut back European buckthorn, two invasive non-indigenous plants. For groups greater than five, call in advance. Work days are scheduled monthly, year-round, and can be found both on the Web at www.dupageforest.com and in the DuPage Conservationist, a quarterly publication mailed to DuPage homes.

Like the Graue Mill, Fullersburg Woods has volunteer events: a holiday party, a May volunteer recognition dinner and a June picnic.

One aspect of what Fullersburg Woods and the Graue Mill offer volunteers is a community of people with similar interests, presenting an opportunity to meet people and make new friends the old fashioned way — without myspace.com or a personal ad.

Ideas and items for Hometown Hinsdale can be sent to Michelle Geoga at MGeoga@gmail.com.