United Way of Greater Lafayette
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Volunteer Center
Current Volunteer Needs

 

Volunteer Needs Column

December 9, 2011  

 

What's New This Week?

Come Out to Play!  

YWCA is looking for consistent and reliable volunteers to facilitate children's programming on Tuesday evenings from 6-8pm. There is a $20 fee for a background check and a one hour training before volunteering. Help needed by December 20th so email Ericka or call her at 765-423-7029 today!

 

Saws and Workers Needed 

International Center need 1 - 3 volunteers to help clean up some tree limbs and leaves and load them in a truck. They have a hand saw but would go faster with a chainsaw to get them to a more manageable length. If interested, email Mindy or Danielle for more detail.

 

Learn How to Walk a Dog 

Almost Home Humane Society is having their next volunteer orientation on January 14th. If you would like to become a volunteer and play with animals, email Stacy and sign up today!  

    

If interested in learning about more volunteer opportunities, contact Amy at the United Way Volunteer Center or visit:

www.uwlafayettevolunteer.org   


One thing I know; the only ones among you
who will be really happy
are those who will have sought and found how to serve.
 
~ Albert Schweitzer



*Still Needed*

 

Librarian Call Out  

Hershey Elementary is asking for library helpers on Thursday & Friday mornings, & Friday afternoons. Hershey Panthers are simply....READERS so the shelves are in need of restocking!  If you have an hour a week to give, contact Kris or call 765-269-8289.  

 

All that Paperwork!

Bauer Family Resources Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to assist with completing intake and eligibility paperwork on Thursdays 12 - 2:30pm. For more information contact Cassie at 765-742-5046. 

 

Do you Like Reading and Children? 

Cole Elementary is asking for library helpers on Tuesdays between 9am - 3pm. Don't let a child go without books because there is no librarian. If you have an hour a week to give, contact Mike Pinto today!   

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 is in full swing and continues through December 24 (no ringing done on Sundays). to schedule, contact Audrey or call 765-742-0006 x 4.

 

Trains, Trains and more Trains

Linden Depot Museum is gearing up for their Christmas Season. Remember what is was like to play with trains as a child? Go back in time at the museum and volunteer to help keep the trains running, greet and welcome visitors or maybe run a cash register. The museum is open December 10 - 21st from 1 - 7pm. If you would like to volunteer, email Gary or call 765-427-3630.

   

Everyone deserves a hot , nutritious meal

Meals on Wheels delivers hot, nutritious meals to home bound individuals and are in need of volunteer drivers to deliver just one day a week from 10:45-12:30. If you have a couple hours to give a week, contact Nichole or call her at 429-6325.



One of things I keep learning is that the secret of
being happy is doing things for other people.  
 
~ Dick Gregory

Good Luck!

Today is her last day and we would like to say goodbye to our intern Christine Harfmann. She has been a delight to work with and we wish her the very best in her future of becoming a nurse! Here was one of Christine's last duties at United Way. The pony was her favorite when she shopped for them!
 
New Reading Buddies
Newest addition to the Reading Buddies to soon be delivered to Vinton Elementary Second Grade Classrooms.

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

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vita

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.

   

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Can a Holiday Office Party be Meaningful?
The Office Party

                                             

It's that time of year again, the annual office holiday parties! Great, a day full of awkward socializing, lots of food, and buying presents for people you don't know very well. What could be better, right? Using this time to volunteer as an office instead of spending awkward quality time together!

 

"How can this happen?" you may be wondering. By turning your Secret Santa gifts into service donations!

 

"Whoopee! Wait now what? How do I actually do this in my office?"

 

Easy, tell employees to bring a toy that they think the employee whose name they drew would have liked as a kid. For example, bring in a football for that jock in your office, a Barbie doll for the fashionista, or a game of chess for the deep thinker. Once the gifts are exchanged, donate them to children in need! Not only does your office get to have a good laugh about the toys that they get, children also get to have an awesome Christmas thanks to your office donations!

 

Volunteering and donating to your office's favorite charities is a great way to make a solid bond between co-workers. Want some more ideas to keep this holiday spirit of giving up around your office? Look, we've got more!

  • Volunteer for your co-workers favorite organizations or causes: Send around an email asking co-workers to share where they like to volunteer or what they are passionate about. Make these ideas into a day of employee service. Choose a place close to the office and try to get all staff members to attend. Try closing the office that day so that your co-workers can reflect on the experience together. Nothing spells teamwork like volunteering as a team!
  • Make toys or decorations for your community members: Is there a retirement community in your area? A children or family shelter? They would love help with Christmas celebrations this year! Make cards or pictures so that they can decorate their walls with lots of holiday chair. Make toys or assemble toys for families or children in need so that they can have an unforgettable Christmas! It is a great way to spark conversation among employees that will focus on something besides the stresses of work.
  • Make a donation to your company's favorite cause: Do you have spare change laying around your desk or in your pocket? Great donate it to those who need it more than your desk surface! Vote on a charity to make donations to and pass around a collection bucket to your employees at the Christmas party. After donations are received recruit employees to personally donate the money to the designated charity. Who knows, they may like this idea so much that it will become an office tradition?
  • Pick an ornament, give a gift: Put up a Christmas tree in the office with names and ages of children or families who may be struggling this holiday season. Get in contact with your local shelters to see who will sponsor this project. Employees can grab a name, buy and wrap a present to put back under the tree. The presents will then get donated to the needy families. Not only will families get a better Christmas thanks to your company's presents, but also your office will be decorated with the tree and Christmas presents.

Volunteering is a great way to bring employees together because it is a way to collaborate on something other than work. When all employees feel passionate about the activity they are doing they can build a more effective team.

 

Sounds better than your awkward office Secret Santa event or tacky sweater party? Great! Give back this holiday season, and build a more effective work team through volunteering!


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