| Hands On Asheville-Buncombe Volunteer Newsletter July 2010 | |
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Dear Hands On Volunteer,
You can help provide new backpacks and school supplies for low-income students this school year. Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is hosting a school supply drive to benefit local elementary and middle school students served by Children First, Big Brothers Big Sisters of WNC, and The Salvation Army.
 Back-to-School Supply Drive
June 28th - July 19th
Spread the word and consider organizing a mini- supply drive at work, at your faith community, and among friends and family!
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| 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. Sign up today!
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Sponsors |
Families Together Inc.
Mission Hospitals | |
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| Hands On Spotlight: In the Garden |
 Hands On proudly highlights our Managed Projects and the amazing volunteers that make them happen each month. "In the Garden" volunteers help prepare the Emma Community Garden (a program of Children First/CIS Family Resource Center at Emma) for fertilization, planting, and harvest! Much of the harvest will eventually be distributed to the Emma community through the Family Resource Center's food pantry. Learn more and sign-up!
In the Garden is led by Jennie Eblen and Todd Watkins. Jennie has been a friend of United Way and Hands On for many years and in many capacities. She launched the project in November 2007 and has given over 60 hours as volunteer leader to date! Todd has co-coordinated with Jennie since March, allowing for more consistent garden care and maintenance. With his passion and skills in organic farming, Todd is responsible for the overall plan and vision of the garden. Recently, Jennie led a corporate team from Whole Foods Markets in a day of service at the garden. "It makes me dizzy to think of everything that got accomplished.The day was an incredible gift to the garden and a testimony of how 3+ hours of dedicated community service can make a HUGE DIFFERENCE."
Special thanks to Whole Foods Markets for their contribution of time, energy, and materials to make this transformation possible! |
| More Volunteer Opportunities | |
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| Partner Agency Special Projects & Events |
Our Partner Agencies are offering great ways to get involved this month. Click on "learn more" for project details and to express interest in a project.
WNC Group Homes sites often need volunteer support to complete house refurbishment, landscaping and other occasional projects that staff cannot do on their own. Currently, a swing set needs to be moved to a flatter place in one of the home yards. Learn more.
Asheville Augustine Project, an outreach program of the Literacy Council of Buncombe County, provides free, long-term, 1-on-1 literacy tutoring for low-income children & teens. Upcoming Tutor Training for volunteer literacy tutors is scheduled July 5-16. Interested volunteer tutors must attend the full training, then commit to work with an assigned low-income child or teen who is reading below grade level for at least 60 sessions. Learn more.
Help RiverLink transform a former junk property into a sculpture park! Volunteers will be helping battle invasive weeds, mowing, and clearing debris & old tires etc. Learn more.
Town of Black Mountain Parks needs volunteers to support their Community Garden. Volunteers will help with planting and maintaining crops grown for donation to families in need in the Swannanoa Valley. Tasks vary weekly and may include planting, weeding, harvesting, mulching, and other garden projects. Learn more.
Ten Thousand Villages needs volunteers for 3-4 hour shifts at its Bele Chere festival booth on Patton Avenue. Available volunteer shifts include working in the booth during the days of Asheville's festival, and helping set-up & take down the booth before and after the event. Booth volunteers would be responsible for talking with customers, writing up sales, and selling merchandise. Volunteers are encouraged to have fun and play instruments, too! Learn more. |
| Women of Worth |
Join Hands On Network and L'Oréal Paris in recognizing, celebrating and supporting women who make a beautiful difference in their communities! Nominations will be accepted for the 2010 Women of Worth program until July 9, 2010. You are encouraged to nominate the woman in your life who sees a need around her and doesn't hesitate to get involved. Additional information and an online nomination can be found here. |
| Gulf Coast Volunteer & Recovery Efforts |
All 4 Gulf states affected by the oil spill (Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida) will certainly need significant financial & volunteer support to recover from this disaster. As this disaster continues to evolve, Hands On will keep you updated if/when response opportunities become available. Click here to learn how you can give your time or resources today! |
| Be a Local Leader |
The Asheville City Council is looking for citizens who want to get involved and make a difference. The deadline for receiving applications is Wednesday, July 7th, so beat the rush and apply now! The following boards currently have vacancies:
- Board of Electrical Examiners
- Civic Center Commission
- Civil Service Board
- Police Officers & Firefighters Disability Review Board
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. |
| LIVE UNITED |
 As the volunteer program of United Way, Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is committed to bringing people together to strengthen our community through meaningful volunteer action.
United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County is sending out the call to action to LIVE UNITED. Through GIVING, ADVOCATING and VOLUNTEERING, we know we can create opportunities for a good life for all. United Way focuses on the three building blocks that must be in place for a person to be successful: EDUCATION, INCOME and HEALTH. We support programs in these areas by providing funding as well as outlets for people to raise their voices and lend their muscles. It's about advancing the common good. |
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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,
Charlie Lee and Sarah Wohlmuth
Hands On Asheville-Buncombe Staff
Be the Change. Volunteer.
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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!
View projects that are youth-friendly: 
