If you’ve dreamed of taking a carousel ride at a lighthouse (Carousel at Lighthouse Point Park) or strolling through the oldest university art museum in the western hemisphere (Yale University Art Gallery, shown), why not venture to New Haven, Connecticut in early April — and use your dental talents to help others while you’re there?

Volunteers and donations are being sought for the 10th Annual Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic, which will take place April 7 and 8 at the Floyd Little Athletic Center.

According to the New Haven Register, the clinic will run from 6 a.m. both days until capacity is reached, and patients will be seen on a first-come, first-served basis, the release said. The clinic is expected to treat more than 2,000 people over the two days, according to the release, and will provides a full range of free dental services for all ages, including cleanings, fillings, extractions, X-rays, fluoride treatments, sealants, root canal treatment on anterior teeth, limited partial dentures and general health screenings.

Besides needing dental and medical personnel, the clinic is seeking volunteers for such tasks as traffic/crowd monitors, foreign language interpreters (especially Spanish), sign language interpreters, patient escorts and helpers to set up and take down the clinic. So far, almost 500 people have signed up, but 1,300 are needed. Volunteer descriptions and registrations can be found at www.ctmom.org, according to the story.

Volunteer registration ends March 12.

CTMOM is also dependent on contributions and welcomes monetary and in-kind donations from individuals and corporations, the release said. Expenses for the 2017 CTMOM clinic and operations total $352,863. To contribute, visit www.ctmom.org or call 860-863-5940.

While you’re in the (New Haven) neighborhood volunteering :

• The Carousel at Lighthouse Point Park, located on Lighthouse Road in the East Shore area of New Haven, is a ride from the 1920s and features two chariots and 70 figures all directed by a figure of George Washington holding a baton.
• Yale University Art Gallery is an art museum housed in several buildings on the campus of Yale University in New Haven.

Or take a long weekend and visit Mystic Seaport (just 54 miles away.)