Volunteer Needs Column

November 4, 2011

Ring, Ring, Ring....Ring the Bell 

The Salvation Army is scheduling volunteer bell ringers to help raise funds throughout the holiday season! Mulitple red kettle locations are available throughout the greater Lafayette area and individuals, families, groups and organizations are welcome to sign up. Bell ringing begins on November 18 and continues through December 24 (no ringing done on Sundays). to schedule, contact Audrey or call 765-742-0006 x 4.

Betty Crockers Needed 

Bakers here the call.....Lafayette Adult Resource Academy are in need of holiday cookies for 300+. You can bake them now and freeze them and take to LARA. Great family or group project! For more information contact Beth or Joanne at 765-476-2920.

Shhh....you're in the library! 

Librarian helpers are needed in several of our Lafayette Schools. If interested in helping by shelving books and checking in/out books for 1 hour a week or more, email Karen Combs or call 771-6036. No experience needed....they will train! Help raise a generation of great readers starting today!  

Are you good on the Phone? 

Big Brothers Big Sisters are looking for individuals to answer the telephone and welcome agency guests. Days and hours are flexible. If interested, email or call 765-446-2227. 

Did you say Euchre?

Bickford Cottage are looking for volunteers companions for the residents. Join them in a game of cards, read to them or just visit and unlock the wealth of knowledge and experience they know! To find out how you can get involved email Rachel or call 490-6290.

Did you say Chair Zumba?

Bickford Cottage are looking for volunteers who love helping people exercise. Fitness leaders are needed to help the seniors get and stay mobile! 1/2 hour classes run at 9:30am Monday - Friday. If you would like to run a class or two then email Rachel or call 490-6290.      

B-I-N-G-O is the NameO

Bickford Cottage are looking for volunteers who love calling Bingo and visiting with their seniors! They have bingo on Thursdays at 1pm and Saturdays at 2:30pm. If you have an hour to have fun then contact Rachel or call 490-6290.

Be a Stable Person in a Child's Life

Sunnyside 5th & 6th graders are in need of some lunchtime mentors and after school homework helpers. The children are no longer elementary but not quite middle school and they are in need of some extra support. Lunch times are between 10:39 am - 1:35pm in four different lunch periods. If you would like to be a stable person in a young person's life contact Debbie Gutwein by email or call 771-6100 x 8429. 

Thank you!

 Purdue Students and Staff came out on Saturday, October 29th to clean up the United Way and Community Foundation building as part of Boiler Volunteer Network's Community Action Day! 

The place looks great!  

Learn more about the United Way

Do you want to find out more about what the United Way of Greater Lafayette is all about? Visit the website

Now accepting applications for United Way's Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. Last tax season we were able to assist in over $205,500 in returns to low income families. Now we need your help to ensure this program is a success again. VITA is your opportunity to help low income families in our community. We will provide free training and certification to prepare taxes beginning in January 2012. VITA is a WIN WIN WIN program. Our community wins because tax dollars that are saved can be spent locally to boost the economy. The client wins because taxes are prepared accurately and for free saving an average of $200. As a volunteer you win because this is a great opportunity to give back while also learning how to prepare your own return. To volunteer or for more information about VITA contact Jennifer Million at (756) 742-9077 ext. 227, text (765) 237-2344 or visit our website.

This Saturday, November 5^th is International Volunteer Managers Day. What exactly is this international holiday you may be asking yourself? International Volunteer Managers Day was first observed in 1999. It was developed to bring recognition and support to those who manage volunteer resources and promote volunteer activation. It is a way to celebrate these managers for their commitment to service around the world. In 2006, the International Supporters Group was formed to include key leaders and groups to spread the word about International Volunteer Managers Day as well.

Now you know a little more about this holiday, but how do you celebrate your organization's outstanding volunteer managers? It's simple! The following is a list of ideas that you can use to make your managers feel a little more special on their big day.

1. Send a thank you message to the extended staff members in your agency that may not be actual volunteer managers, but support the work of volunteers.
2. Send an e-card about the day to your peers and colleagues.
3. Encourage local volunteer centers to observe this day or at least mention it in their newsletter. (Done!) 
4. Place a link to the International Volunteer Managers Day website on your volunteer page to increase awareness.
5. Send a letter to your local newspaper editor to feature an article about the day on November 3^rd. (ok, next year!) 
6. Create an annual award to celebrate the volunteer managers in your office.
7. Host a luncheon for your volunteer managers.
8. Request a special recognition for volunteer managers from your local mayor.
9. Throw a party to recognize the volunteer managers in your agency.
10. Create thank you gifts for your volunteer managers.

It is important to recognize the huge commitment that our volunteers make, but it is equally important to recognize those who manage these volunteers and provide resources to those who serve. International Volunteer Managers Day is the perfect day to provide this recognition to those who dedicate their lives to serving others. Hope these tips help you recognize the managers in your agency on November 5^th!