Forward To A Friend
June/July Header
Celebrating Service Header 
"It is high time the ideal of success should be replaced with the ideal of service."  ~ Albert Einstein
Summer service
Put on a great Summer Picnic for children with disabilities and their families on July 18th.
 
hands_heartSpend a few weeks as a summer reading buddy for elementary-age kids 
 
Help coordinate a yard sale for an assisted living center in Coopersville
 
Take part in C3's Extreme Home Makeover this August 
 
Find more summer fun at Volunteer Solutions!
 
Welcome Kristian!
Kristian Grant has joined the Volunteer Center as a summer AmeriCorps VISTA worker. She is a graduate of MSU's James KristianMadison College, where she began the non-profit organization R.E.A.A.L. (Radiating Excellence in All Areas of Life) which focuses on social and professional development through community engagement.
 
Kristian is a very accomplished young woman and we are glad to have her on our team! Visit our website to learn more about Kristian.
 
Volunteering in America is up!
 
The just-released Volunteering in America report from the Corporation for National & Community Service is full of great news about Americans' willingness to help out. The number of volunteers increased almost 1.6 million in 2009, the largest single-year increase since 2003. And, more than 63 million Americans age 16 and older volunteered in 2009. To learn more, view the entire report. 
 
 volunteering graph 
Chart source: http://www.volunteeringinamerica.gov/
 
One year later: the Serve America Act & United We Serve
In previous eNews we've mentioned the President's United We Serve initiatve and the historic Serve America Act, which pledged millions of dollars to service efforts.  Both have passed the one-year mark and here are some noteworthy updates:
  • Serve America awarded 329 grants totaling $234 mil to support over 57,000 new AmeriCorps members. 
  • Serve America also set aside $5.4 mil for the Youth Engagement Zones program, which seeks to increase students' academic and civic engagement.
  • United We Serve continues to share inspiration, news, and support for programs.  Notably, the Let's Read. Let's Move. program aims to combat childhood obesity and summer reading loss.
Looking for more?  Read our accompanying blog post. 
United Way needs you!
 
Help decide how United Way funds are allocated -- be an Investment Council volunteer.
 
We hope to expand our council sizes and invite you to join us.  Your input will be a key part of the process and will touch the lives of many in our community.
 
Visit us on Volunteer Solutions to sign up or learn more.
Do you volunteer?
iPadWant to win an iPad? 
Click here!
Spotlight on Service 
 
Gabriella de la Vega
 
For Gabriella De la Vega, volunteerism offers not just the satisfaction of doing something for another person, but the joy of celebrating life.
 
Because of the help she received when she first arrived in the US, Gabriella wants to give back to others.
 
She volunteers throughout the year with the Red Cross, Spectrum Hospice, GRAM, WYCE 88.1 FM, and the adopt-a-family holiday program. 
 
Our thanks to Gabriella for her service to others!
Contact us
Jane Royer
Volunteer Center Director
 
Volunteer Center Program Coordinator
 
Volunteer Center Assistant
 
Summer AmeriCorps VISTA
 
facebook fan logo
Hands on Network Logo