Next week is

National Elf Week! 

Well, it's actually National Volunteer Week but the Elves are not alone in our passionate belief that volunteers are what truly make a difference in our organization and the world! Can you imagine our amazing staff of 16 alone in a warehouse receiving, sorting and distributing more than 75,000 gifts and backpacks for children?

It is our great fortune to have the help of nearly 7,000 volunteers each year. When I stop to think of the lives we've touched, I am moved by the generosity of the volunteers donating so much of their time to our Holiday Wish and Back to School Drives. Even more inspiring; they tell us it's their own lives that are enriched by the hours they give.

Does your family have a "regular" volunteer gig? Have you found a nonprofit to donate your time to that is great about having children volunteer? I would love to hear about your volunteer experiences. Let me know about what your family is doing to entice other families to get more involved. You can email me, or contact me via Facebook.

Who is touched more; the one who receives, or the one who gives?

Gratefully,

Jenn 

National Volunteer Week, April 22nd - 26th, is about inspiring and encouraging people to seek ways to engage and make a positive impact in their community.

Joanne Bodenhammer , Family Giving Tree's 2012 Elf of the Year, embodies that to the fullest! Since 2005 Joanne has volunteered in a wide variety of roles to support Family Giving Tree. Among her favorites for the Back to School Drive is quality checking the backpacks to make sure the kids have everything they need.

"Being a volunteer means that you are aware of what is around you and what is going on in your community," states Bodenhammer.  We hope that her dedication and hard work can encourage others to strive to do the same.

There is no better time than the present to get involved in your community and seek ways to engage and help others. Family Giving Tree will be celebrating National Volunteer Week this year, and we would like to share the volunteer opportunities we have available. With our Back to School Drive right around the corner, we need help with general office tasks in order to prepare.

Please email volunteers@familygivingtree.org if you are interested in participating during regular business hours!

The Back to School Drive begins in June!

More than 100 groups have already signed up to lead a drive, but we need at least 450 groups to reach our goal of providing 17,000 backpacks filled with supplies to local, low-income students. How can you help?

You can lead a drive!

Consider where you work, any social club or organization you belong to, or even your family or group of families. Sign up to receive backpack cards and accompanying posters, and encourage your co-workers, club or church members, friends and family to take a card and participate in the drive. Individuals have two ways to participate: select a card, shop for a new backpack, and fill it with the recommended school supplies; or provide funds, either by mail or online, and we will purchase the items on your behalf. We are asking groups to deliver backpacks to our Bay Area warehouse on August 1st.

Thank you for helping to provide deserving children with the tools they need to succeed!