| Hands On Asheville-Buncombe Volunteer Newsletter October 2009 |
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| Dear Hands On Volunteer,
Welcome to the October edition of the Hands On Asheville-Buncombe e-newsletter.
 Make a Difference Day
Saturday, October 24th
Make a Difference Day is a national day of service dedicated to neighbors helping neighbors. Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is proud to be a part of Make a Difference Day by offering you various options for getting involved.
We will kick off a brand new project for this year's Make a Difference Day in which you can help keep someone's home warm this winter by helping make "draft stoppers" (stuffed and decorated fabric tubes like those pictured above that are placed at the bottom of a door to block the draft).
According to the U.S. Department of Energy, households spend 5 to 30 percent of their energy costs on drafts in the home that could be saved by using a draft stopper. Finished draft-stoppers will be distributed to individuals and families served by Meals On Wheels, Community Action Opportunities, and Council on Aging.
This project is perfect for adults, families with children as young as 3, and small groups. This project will take the place of our regularly scheduled "Kids Care" projects for October. Sign up to help!
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| National Spotlight on Volunteers! |
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The Entertainment Industry Foundation (EIF) recently launched a multi-year volunteer activation campaign, "iParticipate!". From October 19-25 ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX and two cable channels will use their programming to shine a spotlight on the power of volunteer service through the storylines, PSA's, and interviews with volunteers on various nationally broadcast talk shows.
Who inspires you? Who have you seen make a difference in your life or in the lives of others in your community?
Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is working in partnership with EIF to find "Service Heroes" whose stories can be shared with the nation on major television networks this October and through other high-profile platforms over the course of the next year. We need your help finding these everyday heroes.
Please spend a few minutes to nominate somebody from your community or yourself. Whether you or the other person has impacted one life or thousands, we want to hear about folks who have committed themselves to serving others.
All nominations should be submitted by October 16th, but the sooner you submit your nominations, the more chance there is that your Service Hero may be recognized. | |
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Sponsors |
Families Together Inc.
Mission Hospitals |
| Office Space for Rent |
United Way has 2nd floor office space for rent beginning October 1. There are six suites, each 220 square feet (for a total of 1320 square feet). Our preference is to rent the entire space to one tenant. The price is $14/square foot (per year). Call Ray Griffiths at 776-7940 for details.
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| United Way Resources |
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| Day of Caring 2009 |
Day of Caring Thursday, Sept. 3rd
United Way's Day of Caring made a huge impact! Special thanks to the more than 1400 volunteers who strengthened the Asheville-Buncombe community by volunteering with nonprofits, public entities and schools! Find out more.
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| LIVE UNITED |
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At United Way, we believe that together, we can transform our community by Giving, Advocating and Volunteering in the areas of Education, Income & Health. As a Hands On volunteer, you understand the importance of giving your time.
United Way's 2009 fundraising campaign is in full swing and we invite you to make a financial investment towards creating long-lasting change in our community by contributing to United Way's community fund. You can donate through your workplace campaign or by making a donation online.
Thank you for inspiring hope for a better tomorrow! |
| Hands On Managed Projects |
 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.
Meals for Hope (YWCA)
Thursday, 10/08
Thursday, 10/22
Saturday, 10/10
Thursday, 10/22
Thursday, 10/29
Friday, 10/02 **THIS WEEK. In need of volunteers!
Cooking for Comfort (CarePartners Hospice)
Saturday, 10/24
Saturday, 10/17
Thursday, 10/22
Sunday, 10/25
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| Hands On Needs Adminstrative Support |
Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is growing fast and we need volunteer assistance with ongoing administrative projects. We are looking for a volunteer who is passionate about helping the community connect with volunteer opportunities and has the following skills: good interpersonal communication, organizational skills, ability to work with a level of independence (once a project is understood), the ability to multi-task, proficiency in all Microsoft programs, and the ability and willingness to learn how to use our database.
Learn more. |
| 2009 Candidate Survey & Voter Guide |
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Children First/CIS has released its 2009 Candidate Survey & Voter Guide. This nonpartisan publication includes responses from candidates for Asheville Mayor and City Council on a wide range of issues. Questions cover affordable housing, living wage, public transportation, I-26 expansion, and gangs. Learn more. |
| Presidential Support for Service |
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Recently, the Obamas sat down with Time magazine for their first joint interveiw since the inaugeration. The focus of the conversation was the national public service movement. In his opening remark, President Obama shares that "now is exactly the time where we need more volunteerism... Read more.
On Friday, October 16th, President Barack Obama will hold a Presidential Forum on community service hosted by former President George H.W. Bush and the Points of Light Institute at the George Bush Presidential Library Center on the campus of Texas A&M University. The event builds upon President Obama's "United We Serve" initiative. Read more |
| Partner Agency Special Projects |
 Our Partner Agencies are offering great ways to get involved during the month of October. Click on "learn more" for project details and to express interest in a project.
United Way needs volunteers to provide administrative support. Volunteer must have excellent Project Management skills, good interpersonal skills, leadership qualities, and the ability to clearly communicate and multi-task. Volunteer duties include providing data entry/analysis support, managing and executing various projects in all Microsoft applications as well as performing other duties assigned. Learn more.
Join Asheville Greenworks to make our community cleaner and greener. October service opportunities include the NC Big Sweep River Cleanup event. Learn more.Help find loving homes for dogs from around our community. Assist Animal Compassion Network at their bi-monthly Animal Adoption events. Learn more.
Support The Health Adventure's kid-friendly science programs. October service opportunities include working one-on-one with preschoolers, supporting the Super Science program eduactor, and teaching origami folding techniques! Learn more. |
| More Volunteer Opportunities |
Hands On is pleased to list more than 200 volunteer opportunities managed by our Partner Agencies. With new opportunities added every month, there is sure to be one that will interest you!
 Search for projects based on your skills, interests and availability
View this month's online project calendar
 View short-term "Done in a Day" projects
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| Be 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: