| Hands On Asheville-Buncombe Volunteer Newsletter January 2009 |
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| November 2008 |
| Dear ,
Happy New Year! Welcome to the January edition of the Hands On Asheville-Buncombe e-newsletter.
Civil rights leader Martin Luther King, Jr. recognized the power of service to strengthen communities and achieve common goals. To honor his legacy, Martin Luther King Jr. Day is recognized as a national day of service. This year MLK Day will be celebrated on Monday, January 19th, just one day before the historic inauguration of President-elect Barack Obama.
Hands On is partnering with local nonprofits to make Martin Luther King Jr. Day a day of service to our community. We invite you to Make it a Day On, Not a Day Off!
Some of your favorite Hands On projects will be offered, as well as a few special ones:
Kids Care: Families are encouraged to participate in this interactive service project for children to learn more about Dr. King and the impact of this special day.
Rain Garden Project: Help RiverLink remove invasive species & trash and prune back native plants in a rain garden in the Kenilworth area.
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| Hands On Managed Projects |
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 Hands On Managed Projects usually last 2-3 hours, generally occur on evenings and weekends, and don't require a long term commitment. These projects are managed by Hands On and led by trained volunteer Project Coordinators.
Wednesday, 1/14
Cooking for Comfort (CarePartners Hospice)
Saturday, 1/24
Thursday, 1/08
Tuesday, 1/13
Tuesday, 1/27
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| United Way Resources |
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| Partner Agency Special Projects |
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Our Partner Agencies are offering great ways to get involved during the month of January. Click on "learn more" for project details and to express interest in a project.
The Housing Authority needs volunteer support for its Family Self-Sufficiency & Homeownership Program. Volunteers will help prepare and serve a homecooked meal to families attending the monthly meeting. Volunteers are also needed to provide childcare during the meeting...learn more.
The Health Adventure needs volunteers to assist with their "Family Days" program. Each "Family Day" event and its activities are planned around a theme...learn more.
ABCCM Women and Children's Shelter invites volunteer teams to prepare, cook and serve a meal to the women and children in the shelter. Cook teams can consist of families, church groups or individual groups from businesses and schools... learn more.
WNC Community Health Services is looking for volunteers to help with its Interlace program. Interlace provides transitional housing and services for women and children who are homeless due to domestic violence. Each month Interlace provides a support group for the women they assist. Volunteers are needed to help with the "Interlace Dinner" to prepare and serve a meal, as well as in the "Kids Corner" that evening to provide childcare during the meeting...learn more. |
| More Volunteer Opportunities |
 Don't see the project that's right for you? Hands On is pleased to be listing over 200 volunteer opportunities managed by our Partner Agencies. We've added new search fields to make it even easier to find just the right project. With new opportunities being added every month, there is sure to be one that will interest you!
 Search ALL of our listings for projects based on your skills, interests and availability
View this month's full Hands On Asheville-Buncombe project calendar
 View short-term "Done in a Day" projects
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| Be the Change. Volunteer. |
As their new administration takes shape, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden will call on Americans from every walk of life to serve. President Obama intends to expand national service programs like AmeriCorps and the Peace Corps and create new service organizations to meet the nation's challenges head on, including:
- Classroom Corps to help underserved schools
- Health Corps to serve in the nation's clinics and hospitals
- Clean Energy Corps to achieve the goal of energy independence
- Veterans Corps to support the Americans who serve by standing in harm's way
The Obama-Biden administration volunteer initiatives are still taking shape. Visit www.change.gov to find out ways you can join this call to action, and share your interest in national service.
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The Case Foundation invites individuals to share their commitments to change their neighborhood, community or the world in 2009 by finishing the following sentence: "Change begins with me. I commit to...". One commitment-maker will be randomly selected to win a trip to DC and attend the inauguration (and related festivities) and join in the MLK Day of Service event in DC as well. Learn More. |
| Little Moments. Big Magic. |
 January is "National Mentoring Month". Big Brothers Big Sisters is actively seeking volunteer mentors for both its community-based and school-based programs. Male mentors are especially needed for more than 50 young boys. Volunteer mentors are matched with a student to develop a one to one relationship. Mentors offer consistency, encouragement, and role modeling in a variety of simple, sharing activities that reinforce academics, as well as confidence-building and social skill-building activities. For more information and to download a Volunteer Enrollment Form, visit www.bbbswnc.org or call 253-1470. |
| Asheville City Council Volunteer Board Positions |
The Asheville City Council is looking for citizens who want to get involved and make a difference. The deadline for receiving applications is Thursday, January 15th so beat the rush and apply now! The following boards currently have vacancies:
- Public Art Board
- Tree Commission
- Community Relations Council
- Downtown Commission
- Sustainable Advisory Committee on Energy & Environment
- Firemen's Relief Fund
- Greenway Commission
- Metropolitan Sewerage District Board
- Board of Adjustment
To find out more about these volunteer board positions, and to download an application visit the Asheville City Council's Board & Commission website. If you need more information or just want to discuss a board with a City Council member, contact the City Clerk's Office at 259-5601. |
| Become a Project Coordinator |
 Are you interested in making even greater impact on the community while getting other people excited about volunteering? Project Coordinators are the key to making flexible, convenient volunteering possible through Hands On. Learn more about becoming a project coordinator today! | |
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 Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is a program of United Way that makes
it easy for individuals and groups to give back to the community.
We invite you to take a moment and sign up for a project today!
Sincerely,
Sarah Catoe and Charlie Lee
Hands On Asheville-Buncombe Staff
Be the Change. Volunteer.
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View projects that are youth-friendly for: