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United Way of the Chattahoochee Valley advances the
common good by creating opportunities for a better life for all.
Our focus is on basic needs, income, health and education -
the building blocks for a good quality of life.
January 2011 |
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Volunteer Spotlight |
 This month our volunteer spotlight is on Becky Braxton, retired Muscogee County School District counselor, who is making a difference in people's lives. Becky registered with the Volunteer Center in 2007 helping with a variety of projects from Hands On Georgia Week to the MLK Serve-A-Thon. She also serves on the Volunteer Center Advisory Committee. Becky has been an avid volunteer for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program for five years. As a VITA volunteer, Becky helps individuals and families by providing free tax preparation. She also enjoys helping new VITA volunteers become acquainted with the tax software, coaching them on their very first tax return to ensure they are comfortable. In 2010, she volunteered more than 295 hours to the VITA program and she now also serves on the Chattahoochee Valley VITA Coalition.
"I love helping people and staying busy," says Becky. "I feel fulfilled through volunteering, especially with VITA." |
| Opportunities to volunteer |
VITA sponsors free tax preparation
Car Seat Check with Safe Kids
Planting trees with Trees Columbus
Dream Center third Saturday
Renovation Station
VIP Bed Race
Chattahoochee Valley Camellia Show
Java Jog for Hope Harbour
Bowl for Kids' Sake 2011
Red, White and Blue Veterans Run
Volunteer orientations
Additional volunteer opportunities
Welcome new volunteers! |
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VITA sponsors free tax preparation |
 The Chattahoochee Valley VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) Coalition is offering free tax preparation for households earning less than $49,000 annually. The tax preparation site is open Tuesday - Saturday, including early evening hours, through April 15th. For more information about this service, please click here. As part of this initiative, volunteers are needed to provide free tax preparation. VITA volunteers are required to attend an 8-hour IRS training and certification class, The last class being offered is from 10 A.M. - 6 P.M. Sunday, Feb. 13. The session includes lunch. For more information and to sign up for this class, please click here. |
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Car Seat Check with Safe Kids |
 At this project, formerly called Inspection Station, Safe Kids Columbus educates parents and caregivers on the proper use and installation of a car seat. Car seats are also inspected for safety. Volunteers are needed to assist from 11:30 A.M. - 1:30 P.M. Thursday, Feb. 3 and 4-6 P.M. Tuesday, Feb. 15. For more information and to volunteer, please click here. |
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Planting Trees with Trees Columbus |
 In honor of Arbor Day, Trees Columbus will plant trees in two mid-town area parks. Volunteers are needed from 9 - 11 A.M. Saturday, February 19. Immediately following the tree plantings, volunteers are invited to the Arbor Day activities at the band shelter at Lake Bottom Park. For more information and to volunteer, please click here. |
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Dream Center third Saturday |
The Columbus Dream Center is a faith-based organization that provides a variety of services to individuals and families in need, primarily food and clothing. Volunteers are needed from 11 A.M. - 2 P.M. on the third Saturday each month (this month it's Saturday, Feb. 19,) to help set-up, register clients, help with food and clothing distribution and clean-up. For more information and to volunteer, please click here. |
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Renovation Station |
 The Renovation Station Store sells surplus or unused items and materials donated by contractors, homeowners, and builders, with proceeds benefitting Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers help with a variety of tasks to include inventory, restocking shelves, organizing and displaying donated items. Adult and student volunteers are needed Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Two-hour shifts are available. For more information and to volunteer, please click here. |
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VIP Bed Race |
 Valley Interfaith Promise works with homeless families and will host the 2nd Annual Bed Race in Uptown Columbus. Volunteers are needed on Saturday, Feb. 26. For more information and to volunteer, please click here. |
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Chattahoochee Valley Camellia Show |
 The Chattahoochee Valley Camellia Society will sponsor a weekend Camellia Show for growers of all levels with cash awards going to the winners. Volunteers are needed Saturday, March 12 to help set-up for the show from 8:00 - 10:30 A.M. and serve as clerks during the judging, from 9:30 A.M. - 12 P.M. For more information and to volunteer, please click here. |
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Java Jog for Hope Harbour |
 Java Jog, a 10K and 5K Run to benefit Hope Harbour domestic violence shelter, needs volunteers from 6:45 A.M. - 10:45 A.M. Saturday, March 19th. Volunteers are needed to help set-up, staff registration, serve as course marshals, etc. Shifts are available and students can participate. For more information and to volunteer, please click here. |
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Bowl for Kids' Sake 2011 |
 Big Brothers Big Sisters sponsors this annual fundraising event over two weekends. Volunteers are needed Friday - Saturday, March 18-19 and Friday- Saturday, March 25-26. Volunteers will help decorate and setup for the event, staff registration tables, distribute T-shirts and gift bags, document details for bowlers and distribute prizes. Two and three hour shifts are available. For more information and to volunteer, please click here. |
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Red, White and Blue Veterans Run |
 The Red, White and Blue Veterans Run will feature a 10-K, 5-K and 1-Mile Walk with proceeds to benefit the Chattahoochee Valley Homeless Veterans initiatives. Volunteers age 15 and older are needed from 6 A. M. - 11:30 A.M. Saturday, March 26 to assist with set-up, registration, hydration stations, course marshals, prize distribution, and other activities. To sign up to help, please click here. |
| Upcoming United Way Volunteer Center orientations | |
Looking for ways to meet new friends and give back to the community? Are you an adult or student needing community service hours? Learn more about how the United Way Volunteer Center can help and join us for a volunteer orientation. All it takes is one 45-minute session to help you get started.
Upcoming orientations include: - Thursday, Feb. 10 at 12 noon at Columbus Public Library
- Saturday, Feb. 12 at 10:30 A.M. at Columbus Public Library
- Friday, Feb. 25 at 12 noon at Columbus Public Library
- Thursday, March 3 at 12 noon at Columbus Public Library
Please click this link to register for an orientation or call 706-327-3255, ext. 212.
If five (5) or more people from a group of coworkers, friends or colleagues are interested in orientation, we'll come to you! For more information, please call 706-327-3255, ext 212, or e-mail volunteer@unitedwayofthecv.org.
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| Additional volunteer opportunities |
Click here to browse more volunteer choices where you can make a difference. |
| Welcome new volunteers! |
The following people completed volunteer orientation in January. We hope you'll be volunteering for a project soon!
John Adams, Afeez Adessanya, Ryan Beland, Lanana Buckner-Brown, Chaplain Walter Campbell, Angela Carson, Breyonna Christler, Amy Clark, Terry Clark, Shinethia Collins-Ivey, Ranata Cornwell-Preer, Cody DeLuca, Elizabeth DuFresne, Tomisha Fitzpatrick, Huberta Gunn, Deborah Johnston, Bill Kimbley, Iris Kimbley, Mark Kingston, Grecia Leslie, Amanda Lister, Shamyra Mitchell, Elizabeth Moody, Raymond Prickett, Brooke Rahn, Angila Rogers, Catosha Salas, Betty Shaw, Rodnita Simmons, Gail Sinkule, Margaret Smith, Michelle Smith, Jennifer Spickler, Tony Thomas, Ryan Walker, Anna Marie Warren, Kimberly White, Vickie Young |
| What the Volunteer Center can do |
The United Way Volunteer Center promotes volunteerism by linking people to flexible opportunities for service through programs, projects and partnerships.
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Sincerely,
United Way Volunteer Center
706-327-3255, ext. 212
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