Greetings to our
Friends of The Volunteer Center, |
So, did you make a New Year's Resolution? I know many who have resolved to serve others; make a difference in the lives of our neighbors or to just become more involved in our community!
The Volunteer Center is here to help you keep those resolutions and stay connected!
Please consider lending a hand for the two service projects listed below. Or, log onto www.1-800-volunteer.org anytime to search our database for volunteer opportunities in Flagler and Volusia Counties.
Below is also an article you might find helpful when selling the benefits of volunteering to those you know when asked why do you volunteer.
Help us spread the word about the United Way and our Volunteer Center. Encourage your friends, families and co-workers to give, advocate and volunteer...to LIVE UNITED in '09.
Your Friends,
The Volunteer Center &
The United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties
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Researching Volunteerism's Benefits
Psychologist Cites Advantages of Volunteering
The psychological benefits of volunteering are broad-reaching. According to Amanda Kim, a psychologist and director of the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Studies at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology (Chicago, lL), studies have found that volunteering can improve concentration, foster appreciation and elicit a profound sense of satisfaction.
"Volunteering offers a contrast to day-to-day life that allows one to gain perspective and feel more in control." Kim says. "Persons can complement what they're already doing in their personal and professional lives to increase satisfaction and efficacy in their life."
To avoid burnout" she adds, stay in tune to how volunteering benefits or burdens you. When seeking a volunteer effort. the psychologist recommends you:
*Find a volunteer organization that is aligned with your personal beliefs.
*Seek a volunteer role that is flexible and easily fits your lifestyle.
*Seek volunteer roles giving a sense of accomplishment and using your best skills.
*If you haven't volunteered in the past, start slowly and join with a friend.
*Avoid over committing.
If you are already volunteering, Kim advises watching for these signs of burnout:
*Lack of energy or desire to help.
*Beginning to speak negatively about the cause or persons with whom you volunteer.
*Overwhelming sense of defeat and frustration.
*Lack of concentration and diminished sense of humor.
lf you are noticing signs of burnout, talk to your volunteer manager about time off, temporarily reducing your volunteer hours or changing the tasks you are assigned.
Source: Amanda Kim. Director of the Center for Multicultural and Diversity Studies, The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, Chicago, IL. Phone (312)329-6600, E-mail: akim@thechicagoschool.edu
Source: The Volunteer Management Report
Subscription inquiries may be directed to Stevenson, Inc. , P.O. Box, 4528, Sioux City, Iowa 51104, Phone (712) 239-3010, Fax (712) 239-2166. Website: www.stevensoninc.com.
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2 New Worksites have been added...
THE KING DAY OF SERVICE-BUILDING ON THE DREAM
Monday, January 19, 2009
Make It A Day On-Not A Day Off
"Everyone can be great because anyone can serve. You don't have to have a college degree to serve. You don't even have to make your subject and your verb agree to serve...You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love."
-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
To commemorate the vision and teachings of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., community volunteers in Volusia and Flagler Counties will celebrate Martin Luther King Day with a "day on, not a day off," on Monday, January 19th. The Volunteer Center of the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties has joined forces with Flagler, Halifax and Southwest Volusia Habitat for Humanity affiliates and The ARC of Volusia to host "The King Day of Service-Building on the Dream."
During the 1950s and '60s, civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized the power of service to strengthen communities and achieve common goals. In 1994, Congress passed the King Holiday and Service Act, directing the King Center and the Corporation for National and Community Service to carry out a day of service reflecting Dr. King's life and teachings. The aim is to make the holiday a day ON, where people of all ages and backgrounds come together to improve lives, bridge social barriers, and move our nation closer to the "Beloved Community" that Dr. King envisioned.
Volunteers are needed for this local service project, which is just one of the thousands of activities around the nation that are organizing to honor the legacy of Dr. King and focus on strengthening communities, empower individuals and bridges barriers.
In Flagler County, Flagler Habitat for Humanity will be building on 3 homes for single moms in need of simple, decent, affordable housing for their children in Flagler County. We are still recruiting volunteers, 16 years of age and older for these worksites. Although we are building a house, Habitat for Humanity is on site to train for whatever skill is necessary that day. Lunch and all project supplies will be provided.
Throughout the Halifax Area of Volusia County, volunteers for Halifax Habitat for Humanity will be building on new homes. We are seeking additional volunteer support to paint "larger than life" pictures of paint brushes, hammers, paint buckets, etc. on the large store front windows of the Habitat Home Store in Daytona Beach. This would catch the eye of people driving by and make the general public more aware of the type of items offered for sale at the Home Store. This project is open to all ages, under 16 with adult supervision.
The Arc of Volusia's Daytona Beach and DeLand Vocational Centers are in desperate need of volunteers to help paint inside and outside, paint and supplies will be furnished. Approximately 100 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities along with the staff and visitors at each center would benefit from the fresh clean paint on the walls. This is a fun and rewarding community event for individuals, clubs, or the whole family who is looking for an event that would help brighten the day and working area for staff and the people we serve alike. This project is open to all ages, under 18 with adult supervision.
No experience necessary. On-site training will be provided.
Individuals-groups-corporations--all are welcome.
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Volunteer to support the 5th Annual Daytona 5k/Fun Walk to Benefit United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties |
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Mark your calendars for Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009 and get ready to break in those running or walking shoes that Santa left under the Christmas tree as Daytona International Speedway hosts its 5th Annual Daytona 5K at the "World Center of Racing."
This is an annual event held at the Daytona International Speedway. Proceeds benefit the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties.
Volunteers are needed to help with all aspects of the race: pre-race and on-site registration, aid/water stations, run course, parking, finish-line, etc.
Saturday, January 24, 2009, on-site by 4:45am-event through 9:30am
Volunteers of all ages are welcome, under 18 with signed parental consent form.
For more details or to register as a volunteer, please click here.
To register as a race participant, please log onto Daytona5k.com. |
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"How wonderful is it that nobody
need wait
a single moment before starting to improve
the world." -- Anne Frank |
The Volunteer Center of the United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties, Inc.
The United Way's Volunteer Center is one of Volusia and Flagler Counties' largest resources devoted solely to the promotion and nurturing of volunteerism and community service.
Working within the community since 1977, the Volunteer Center plays an integral role in United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties' mission to increase the organized capacity of our community to care for its people.
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Advancing the Common Good by investing in the building blocks of a better life. |
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Resolve to Serve
in 2009. |
| Search for new opportunities today. In our efforts to make it easier for you to find volunteer opportunities and serve in our communities, we want you to take advantage of our web-based volunteer matching and management system: 1-800-Volunteer.org. This is available to you and our agencies, 24-7-365!
Help us spread the word about The Volunteer Center and United Way.
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SAVE THE DATES:
February 6, 2009: Nominations for "2008 Outstanding Volunteers of the Year" due back to United Way
February 7, 12-15, 2009: Speedweeks/Target Parking-**Volunteers Needed**
April 23, 2009:
2008 Oustanding Volunteers of the Year Luncheon
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Do You Ebay?
The services provided by the Volunteer Center are supported by the generous donations of local Flagler and Volusia County residents and corporations. Thank you for your continued support!
eBay Giving Works and MissionFish have teamed up to provide you with a new way to give and make it possible for United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties to harness the incredible fundraising potential held by the billions of dollars in trade that takes place each year in the world's largest e-commerce platform.
Next time you are selling an item on eBay, consider donating a portion of the sale to your local United Way of Volusia-Flagler Counties. Participating sellers are rewarded for their generosity with special eBay Giving Works features that help them get more bids and higher sale prices. The nonprofit receives recognition in the listing and benefits from the seller's success. MissionFish and eBay will also issue tax receipts for your donations.
When listing your items for sale/auction, look for the eBay Giving Works section of the Create Your Listing page:
eBay Giving Works
Select/Search: United Way of Volusia-Flagler Co., Inc.
Select the donation Percentage: 10-100%
Thank you! | | |
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