United Way of Greater Lafayette
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Current Volunteer Needs

 

Volunteer Needs Column 

October 19, 2012   

 

What's New This Week?
  
Great Group Project

SIA Trek or Treat Charity Walk & SIA Track Attack 10K/5K Run - October 27, 2012. Volunteers needed to:

 

  • Help with set up of the haunted trail and activity areas (Noon - 3:30pm)
  • Costumed characters for the "Enchanted Forest" trick or treat trail and the "Wicked Woods" haunted trail (4:00 - 7:00PM)
  • Costumed characters for the Track Attack haunted track and water stations (7:00PM - 10:00PM)

 

The event benefits the SIA Safe Haven Home, an emergency shelter for families displaced by fire, natural disaster or domestic violence. Visit event website:  www.SIAwalk.myevent.com or contact Shannon Walker at 765-449-6292 or [email protected]


Calling all Animal Lovers 

Almost Home Humane Society is looking for morning volunteers from 8:30am - noon that are interested in helping with the basic care of animals. Read about this opportunity listed in the Volunteer Center website or contact Taylor at 474-5222 x 302. 


Still Needed


Christmas is just around the corner

American Red Cross is recruiting volunteers for their annual Christmas for Everyone program.  

  • Must work at least an one hour shift
  • Work one day or multiple days
  • Hand out registration forms and assist in filling them out when needed
  • Welcome Spanish speaking volunteers (half of clients are usually Spanish speaking)
  • Transcribe the forms into an Excel spreadsheet
CFE starts October 29th through November 20th, Monday - Friday starting at 9am. If you would like to help make Christmas special for a family in need, email Liz or call 742-6975 x 2217.

Help Keep a Family Warm 

Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to assist with their annual Winter Warm Up Drive on Saturday, November 10, from 8:45 am until noon.  Volunteers are needed:  

  • To assist individuals and families select winter coats and other warm clothing.  
  • Great group project as they would like a total of 20 - 25 volunteers.

If interested, email Eloise or call 742-0006.

 

Mentor a Child 

Miller Elementary is looking for caring successful adults that are interested in mentoring a student during the lunch window of 10:50am - 1:15pm.  

  • Be a positive asset to a child 
  • Submit to a background check
  • Meet briefly with the building principal
  • Meet with the child for lunch or recess only 
  • Meet with the student once a week.
If interested in being a part of a child's life, contact Diana Snider or call 476-2930.

Stand Down

When: Nov. 10, 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.  

Where: Tippecanoe County Fairgrounds

 

The Military Family Research Institute (MFRI) is partnering with a number of community organizations to host a Stand Down for homeless, almost homeless, and unemployed veterans and their families. Lots of volunteer are needed to help with this event. Contact: Martina at [email protected].


If interested in learning about more volunteer opportunities, contact Amy at the
United Way Volunteer Center or visit:


Time to start thinking about tax time!

Help low-to-moderate income families with accurate tax return filing.

Free Training and certification to prepare taxes begins in November so call now to get put on our mailing list to become a VITA Volunteer!

For more information visit:



or contact:

 Jennifer Million at 765-742-9077 x 227, [email protected]




Learn more about the United Way

Do you want to find out what the United Way of Greater Lafayette is all about? Visit the website


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Congratulations
Caterpillar
for being week three's winner of the
Week of Caring Photo Contest

Caterpillar employees, Robert NackeMark Humrickhouse (pictured) accepted a $25 gift card to a local restaurant and Boys and Girls Club Beck Lane received a $25 Walmart card.

Danielle Valdez from Boys and Girls Club says, "The CAT volunteers were amazing! They trimmed, raked, weeded, chopped and cleared out between our fences so that our fence row is no longer an eye sore to our neighbors. They were kind enough to bring their own tools to tackle our jungle. We would never have been able to accomplish this much on our own. We are extremely grateful for the CAT volunteers and for Week of Caring!"

    Thank you Caterpillar for a job well done! 

"Healthy" Volunteering: 5 ways to incorporate health into volunteering

 

1) Volunteer at a Medicinal supply organization! With so many countries unable to provide proper medical care to its citizens, local nonprofits have willingly stepped in to provide proper medical supplies to these developing nations. Volunteering at one of these organizations is rewarding as this allows you to bond with everyone around you, hear stories of the various countries receiving the supplies, and ultimately realize the impact of volunteering your time.

 

2) Volunteer for a 3k, 5k or go the distance and do a marathon! Whether you're actually volunteering or helping runners sign up for the race, the distance you choose doesn't matter. It's the cause behind the race that makes the biggest impact. Many races are fundraisers that raise money for research, causes, and organizations. Whatever the reason, races are beneficial for you and your family as they provide valuable family time and help support important causes. See the SIA Trek or Treat opportunity above. 

 

3) Volunteering is mentally healthy! More than likely (well we hope) you want to be volunteering so you're already in a good mood and guess what? The people you're around also want to be volunteering. Overall people are happy to be volunteering, the good vibes are felt and shared throughout the experience. As you reflect upon your volunteering experience, you  will realize all of the heartening memories generated from the positivity and you're already looking forward to the next time you volunteer!

 

4) Volunteering as a Baby Boomer! For Baby Boomers and retirees volunteering reshapes the perceptions of aging, shifting the focus from frailty and dependency long associated with old age to being active, productive which leads to improved health and longevity.

 

5) Help make our returning soldiers and Veterans healthy! If you're a counselor or mental health professional, you can use your skills to provide free mental health services to members of the military, veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan, and their loved ones. These services help soldiers to cope with the psychological and emotional consequences of a decade of war. See the Stand Down opportunity listed above.