United Way of Greater Lafayette
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 Current Volunteer Needs

 

Volunteer Needs Column

February 17, 2012   

 
             What's New This Week?

Greeters Needed        

Lindon Depot Museum are getting geared up for a new season and are looking for 1-2 volunteers per day on Friday, Saturday and Sundays starting April 6th through October from 1 - 5pm. Volunteers should be age 16 or older. No previous knowledge of railroading is required. Groups welcome to sign up for shifts/days. For more information email Gary or call 765-427-3630 or go to Volunteer website for more detail. 

 

Are you a good listener?    

Lafayette Crisis Center is having their next volunteer training starting March 21st. Training is a great opportunity to help others in need, meet wonderful caring people, and develop incredibly useful skills.  Crisis Center volunteers make an impact in our community! To find out more or apply to become a volunteer, visit the website or call 765-742-0247.    

 

If interested in learning about more volunteer opportunities, contact Amy at the  

United Way Volunteer Center or visit:


Here's to all volunteers, those dedicated people who believe in all work and no pay. 

~Robert Orben



 *Still Needed*  

 

Plant a Tree...or Two        

Tree Lafayette needs 200 volunteers for its annual Arbor Day event on May 5, 2012. Sign up to volunteer online  or link to the sign-up form on their website, www.treelafayette.org. Families are encouraged to volunteer together.

 

Howl at the Moon 

Wolf Park is looking for volunteers 18 years and older to help give tours for Howl Night and the Wolf-Bison Demo, work in the gift shop and visitors center as well as office help and fundraisers or grant writers. If interested, please contact Wolf Park at 567-2265.

 

Assist Cancer Patients  

Community Cancer Network is looking for volunteers to transport cancer patients to their doctor appointments Monday thru Fridays. If interested, contact Lori or call 765-413-0684.

 

Shop at the Village     

Westminster Village has a mini store for the residents selling milk, juice, small grocery items and some toiletries. They need someone to open and run the register on Saturdays from 10 - 2. If interested, email Kim or call 464-5115.

Are you good at Fundraising?
Homestead Consulting Services is looking for help with fundraising for their housing counseling programs. This volunteer activity would include making contact with local community leaders to explain our programs and to enlist their partnership. This position would work with the Executive Director and the Board of Directors of our organization. If interested view opportunity here or call Amy at United Way Volunteer Center at 765-742-9077 x 222.

Put Books in the hands of Preschoolers     

Volunteers are needed on Wednesday and Thursday mornings and Thursday afternoons to assist preschool children in making selections when they trade books on Book Cycle Day. Volunteers may also read to the children, sort and organize book inventories at the centers, and help with data collection. Volunteers can help weekly, every other week, or monthly. Book Cycle operates in all Tippecanoe County Child Care Centers and all Head start Centers. If interested in this opportunity, reply here.

 

Good at Spelling?

Lafayette Adult Resource Academy's 22nd Annual Spelling Bee for Literacy is on Saturday, February 25th. Put together a team and join the fun! To find out more, call LARA at 765-476-2920.


Volunteer
Post Items onto Donation Exchange 

United Way of Greater Lafayette Volunteer Center has a new section on the website for agencies to list items they are in need of as well as a place donors can post items they would like to donate to a local non-profit.
 
Some Items posted in need: 

 

 

Toiletries


Donated Item for Agencies:

 

Lexmark E350d Document Printers (must be an agency to view this item)    

 

 

 Colored pencils

To view more items or place an item onto the site, visit the website

 

Contact Amy for assistance!  


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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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         Volunteer Income
Tax Assistance Program

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) is a national program that offers free tax preparation help to people with low- to moderate-incomes (about $50,000 and below).  
 
United Way of Greater Lafayette has sites at their office, Tippecanoe County Childcare and Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health - Lafayette East as well as a mobile site for your convenience. The general requirement is income below $50,000 without international income or military status. 
 
To schedule an appointment contact Jen Million by phone 765-742-9077 ext 227. or text (574) 643-1012, simply click the link or

Check out the New Volunteer Center Website
United Way of Greater Lafayette Volunteer Center is working on making the process of linking you to the right volunteer opportunity better! You will be able to still access a large list of organizations through the current site but some have already started posting their opportunities directly to the new site. You can see what they have available and if interested, contact them straight from the website! It is easy to get started and check back for tips in the upcoming needs columns.

Click here to check out the new site and register as a volunteer today!
5 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month
Black History Month

 

Black History Month   celebrates contributions made by African Americans and people of African descent around the world. It was started by an African American man named Dr. Carter G. Woodson in 1926.  Back then, it was called Negro History Week and was celebrated the second week of February.  Now it is celebrated for the whole month of February in the United States and Canada.

 

Here are five ways you and your family can celebrate Black History Month with you and your family.

  1. Yes we can... change the world, find cures for diseases, or feed the hungry. Inspired by President Barack Obama's famous 2008 presidential campaign phrase, "Yes we can," Kids can decorate cans  to raise money for their favorite cause or charity to ultimately make Earth a better place.
  2. African-Americans and Canadians have made tremendous contributions to every facet of life-from science to music to athletics. Take your family to a local museum to learn about the significant contributions of African Americans.
  3. Jackie Robinson, Sojourner Truth, George Washington Carver, are just some of the renowned African Americans to be celebrated during February and throughout American history. Go to your local school and host a seminar detailing the history of Black History Month and the historical events and contributions of African Americans. 
  4. Attend a storytelling performance with your family. The West African storytelling tradition of griot, or village storyteller, is a great way to celebrate Black History Month. The dramatic storytelling and puppetry storytelling brings Black history to life with the stories of various African-Americans who have contributed to American History.
  5. Puzzles!!! Who doesn't love a good puzzle! For you and your family, solving crossword puzzles is another way for children and adults to improve concentration and memory. Look online for websites devoted to Black History Month Crossword puzzles, you'll find printable, criss-cross style crossword games for primary level students as well as those at the secondary and even the college level.
Black History Month is an excellent way to learn about all of the amazing contributions of African Americans and to spend time with your family. How do you plan on celebrating Black History Month with your family?

article provided by HandsOn