|
|
|
|
Empowering People Through Self-Help
|
March 2015
|
|
|
Solar Oven Partners' Volunteer...
"I enjoy working with metal and I enjoy the camaraderie of the people and the mission outreach. I'm glad to do this for those who
aren't as fortunate
as we are."
--Glenn Watson,
Volunteer at Moffit, ND, metal reflector workshop.
|
|
Solar Oven Volunteers Pack a Punch
When mission team members hand a solar oven to graduates of our two-day solar cooking seminars in Haiti, they are
|
| | Volunteers donate 3,021 hours per shipment of ovens. |
handing out more than an oven package: they are handing out
an opportunity for a better life. They are also handing over
a gift made possible by the hundreds of volunteers who make the ministry of Solar Oven Partners possible.
Volunteers are the lifeblood of Solar Oven Partners. In anticipation of next month's National Volunteer Month, April 12-18, we are beginning a celebration of our volunteers.
We'll be highlighting volunteers and the work they do throughout our various communication efforts, including the Update, our print newsletter Patnč Fou Solčy, the Solar Oven Partners Facebook page and www.haitisolarovens.org.
Total volunteer hours and value: Amazing!
The timing for National Volunteer Month couldn't be better.
Solar Oven Partners' Associate Director Cathy Hoss recently
|
| |
Sewing black cloths for bread pans is one of many volunteer opportunities
|
completed a tally of volunteer hours and the value volunteers provide to the ministry. Here are some of the facts and figures. We think you'll be amazed!
-
3,021 hours = Average total volunteer hours to prepare a shipping container of 1,150 ovens.
- 304 = average number of volunteers involved in preparing a shipping container of ovens.
-
2.6 hours = volunteer hours donated for each oven packed in the shipping container.
- $58.63 = total dollar savings in labor per oven made possible because of volunteers (based on national volunteer hour value of $22.55 as indicated by the online NonProfit Times).
- $68,125 = total dollar savings in labor for an entire shipping container of 1,150 ovens (based on national volunteer hour value of $22.55).
- $58.63 = the added value to each oven distributed. That means when donors give $150 for a complete oven package, they're receiving a $208.63 value.
-
4,900 = volunteer hours donated in 2014 to pack approximately 1.5 shipping containers (1,725 ovens).
-
$110,495 = the added dollar value in labor costs of those 4,900 hours (based on national hour value of $22.55).
|
|
|
| | This young volunteer lends a hand at the Moffit, ND workshop. |
Who are Our Volunteers?
Solar Oven Partners' volunteers, says Associate Director Cathy Hoss, come from all walks of life and include a wide range of faith backgrounds and ages--from pre-teen to those in their 90s. Volunteers are comprised of women, men, children and youth. "We have people cutting cardboard and foam or sewing black cloth bread pan covers in their homes, or heading to one of our workshops to cut wood, package measuring cups or water purification indicators, pack oven parts, make reflectors or pack shipping containers," she explains. They are individuals with different skills and gifts, but who all share a common goal: to show the love of Christ by helping put solar ovens into the hands of those who most need them. |
| Partners helping load
shipping container with ovens. |
"Volunteerism is the ultimate expression of compassion," insists Cathy. "And this ministry is the perfect example. It could not exist without our many, many Partners who care so much and give so unselfishly. The are this ministry and we are so grateful to them."
|
|
|
|
Be a Partner
CONTACT US TO VOLUNTEER: MISSION TEAMS TO HAITI (SPRING, SUMMER, FALL); YEAR-ROUND WORKSHOP TEAMS AT VOLGA, SD AND MOFFIT, ND
DONATE: DAKOTAS ADVANCE #637 (CHECKS TO: DAKOTAS CONFERENCE OFFICE, PO BOX 460, MITCHELL, SD 57301--CHECK DESIGNATION: "Solar Oven Partners"); UMCOR ADVANCE #418812
|
You Can Designate Gifts "Where Most Needed" 
Our donors and supporters are so very important to us. All of the gifts directed toward Solar Oven Partners go towards the purchase of materials to build ovens, as well as the shipping and distribution of those ovens, unless specified differently.
As most people are aware, there are administrative costs involved in running an organization, especially one as successful as this ministry. When you submit your gift of support, you can help our mission succeed by noting that your gift be used "Where Most Needed", knowing that we will put it towards its most vital calling.
Thank you!
Rick Jost and Cathy Hoss, Solar Oven Partners.
|
|
Contact Info
Solar Oven Partners
605-692-3391
|
|
|
|
|
