Volunteer Connection Service Bulletin: November 26, 2004
A bi-weekly newsletter of local service opportunities (also see the bulletin
archives)
November 26, 2004 ~ Fall 2004
This
bulletin lists information about one-time and on-going service opportunities,
special events, and nonprofit agencies that we hope will help you get involved
in the community! If you’re a SCSU student, staff, or faculty member interested in volunteering,
but aren’t sure what agency would be a good fit, it might be helpful
to meet with the
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Volunteer Connection
The Volunteer Connection is holding the "Making Holidays Brighter" gift drive through December 14, 2004 benefiting children in the Bel Clare community of St. Cloud. Donation locations will be all St. Cloud State University residence halls and at the Volunteer Connection office, Atwood Memorial Center 139. They are asking for new, unwrapped toys for children between the ages of 3-12. Please make a child's holiday a little brighter.
For more information, please contact Maren Greathouse, Volunteer Connection Graduate Assistant. 320-308-3058
AIDS Quilt
Volunteers are needed to sign up to monitor the AIDS Quilt. Dates are Nov 29th-Dec 3 2004.
If you are interested, please contact Ilia Y. Lopez at loil0401@stcloudstate.edu. Please include an e-mail address or number where you can easily be contacted.
CentraCare
CentraCare Health Plaza is holding its annual Christmas decorating Thursday, December 2 and Friday, December 3. Starting at 9 AM, CentraCare needs volunteers to help unpack decorations, set up trees, and decorate trees and all other areas of the building. Shifts are flexible!
Please contact the volunteer office to let them know if and when you might be available to help at 252-0010 ext. 580 or email johnsonjo@centracare.com.
Also, Benedict Village is holding its Christmas decorating party on Thursday, December 2 at 9 AM. Volunteers should wear old clothes to help unpack Christmas decorations and help decorate the building. Benedict Village would like 2-3 volunteers at this site.
To sign-up, please call the volunteer office at 252-0010 ext. 580.
Benton County Extension Services
Benton County Extension Services is holding a silent auction starting at 7:00 PM on December 6 at the First Presbyterian Church in Foley. Proceeds from the auction will go to a local man who was recently paralyzed in a motorcycle accident and is in need of special equipment and an accessible van. If you would like to donate items for the auction, you can bring them to the Benton County Extension office or to the church the night of the event. The auction is open to the public. By donating items, you will be helping this gentleman gain back his independence.
For more information about donating, please contact Jessica Markgraf at (320) 968-5077.
AmeriCorps
The St. Cloud AmeriCorps program has one part-time position open at the Boys & Girls Club. As an AmeriCorps member, you will mentor youth while strengthening the community and building skills as an active engaged citizen. The AmeriCorps member will plan and lead a variety of activities within program areas including sports, fitness and recreation; the arts; education and career development; character and leadership development; and health and life skills. AmeriCorps members receive a living allowance and, upon completion of service, they are eligible for an education award. This is a great opportunity to mentor and guide the youth in this community.
For more information, contact Jennifer Rausch at (320) 308-3050 or go to www.stcloudstate.edu/americorps. Applications are due December 10.
Tri-County Humane Society
The Tri-County Humane Society needs volunteers to staff their gift-wrapping booth at Crossroads Center. All proceeds from this fundraiser will support the animals at Tri-County Humane Society. A variety of shifts are available on December 5, 11, 12, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, and 24.
If you are interested in this opportunity, please contact Lisa Ehrlichman at 252-0896.
Talahi Care Center
Talahi Care Center provides quality health care and services to residents by continuing to meet the needs of those they serve. They need volunteers to assist residents to and from the bingo hall, pass out bingo materials, and assist one to three residents in watching their bingo cards. Volunteers will also assist in calling the bingo numbers as well as leading the bingo game. Bingo takes place three times a week and is the most popular activity among the residents. Volunteers must attend a one-hour volunteer orientation and be familiar with the game of bingo.
For further information, please call Tony Nathe at (320) 251-9120.
Place of Hope
Place of Hope promotes healing to individuals and families and provides opportunities for spiritual growth to enable people to become independent and self-sufficient. They have several volunteer opportunities for their "Kids Hope Shop" which provides new Christmas gifts for children and their families. This event allows children to "shop" for family members through an assortment of donated items. They need volunteers to assist the children in picking out and wrapping their gifts. They also need volunteers to be greeters and chaperones. This event will be held on December 17 and will last from 3:00-7:00 PM. Volunteers may choose to stay for the full 4-hour shift; however, one or two hour time slots are available.
For further information, contact Pastor Carol Jean Smith at pastorcj@placeofhopeministeries.org
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central MN
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Minnesota serves children by providing one-to-one mentoring relationships. By becoming a "Big," you are helping to nurture a child between the ages of 7 to 14 through providing positive life experiences. If you're interested in an unstructured and flexible volunteer opportunity, this is it. You set the schedule. The most important things that you can offer a child are support, quality time, and friendship. The professional staff of Big Brothers Big Sisters works carefully to match interests. Mentors must be 18 years of age and able to commit a minimum of 12 months.
If interested in learning more about this opportunity, please contact Sharon Harren (320) 253-1616.
As well, Big Brothers Big Sisters is looking for a volunteer for their mentoring program that is willing to help a child with kindergarten skills such as letter sounds, counting, coloring, writing and cutting. The volunteer would need to commit to one hour a week for the rest of the school year. The best time for this child to meet with a mentor is on Monday or Thursday from 3:15-4:15. Volunteers matched with this child will have a blast!
Please contact Ann M. Matvick at amatvick@bbbscentralmn.org or (320) 253-1616.
New Beginnings
New Beginnings is a home for expectant mothers and their babies where they are provided a safe secure residence while fostering self-esteem, educational growth, and parenting and decision making skills. As a volunteer, you will be called at least 24 hours in advance to provide care for an infant while the mother is in class, at appointments, or doing programming. The care will be at New Beginnings and the agency will provide everything you will need. Volunteers must be 18 years or older, fill out an application form, and agree to a criminal background check.
For further information, please contact Jessica Gosser at (320) 255-1252.
Good Shepard Community
The Good Shepherd Community in Sauk Rapids provides healthcare and housing services for young and older adults. The Memory Loss Cottages are seeking volunteers to come and play their brand new piano for the residents. If you like a warm and cozy environment and enjoy playing the piano, this is the perfect opportunity. This opportunity is flexible and you may arrange hours according to your schedule.
The Good Shepherd Community is also looking for individuals to transport home delivered meals from 11 AM to 12 PM Monday through Friday. This is a great opportunity to help someone out this holiday season!
For further information, please call Beth Chapin at (320) 252-6525.
Reach Up, Inc.
Reach Up, Inc. is looking for volunteers for child care for children ages 10 and under. They are facilitating a Love and Logic parenting class on November 30, and Dec 7, 14, and 21. These classes will be held at the Southside Boys and Girls club from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. They will need a volunteer from 6 to 9 PM.
Please contact Terrie Wagner at Reach Up, Inc. at 320-253-8110 or 1-877-848-4912.
Mother of Mercy Campus of Care
Mother of Mercy Campus of Care, located in Albany, provides residents a high standard of care in a home-like environment by addressing physical, emotional and spiritual needs. They would like volunteers of all ages to come play bingo and card games, visit with the residents, and set up and take down holiday decorations. They still have an opening for anyone interested in assisting residents in wheelchairs to and from the beauty salon. These are great opportunities to engage in cross-generational conversations with local elderly residents.
For further information, please contact Doris Vos at (320) 845-2195 ext. 19.
Arc Midstate
Arc Midstate provides support and advocacy by promoting opportunities to people with developmental disabilities and their families. They would like volunteers to serve refreshments and distribute door prizes at their "Community Christmas Party" on December 6. The party is being held at the Moose Lodge in Waite Park starting at 7:00 PM. While volunteering, you'll enjoy an evening of holiday fun, including a concert and a visit by Santa.
For more details, please contact Cindy Owen at (320) 251-7272.
VA Medical Center
The VA Medical Center helps maintain and improve the health and well being of veterans. They need the following items: reading glasses, tennis balls, personal items (deodorant, toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, brushes, pens, disposable razors, shaving cream, envelopes, and stamps), phone cards, sewing supplies, new socks and underwear.
For more information about donating, please contact Patricia Aljets at (320) 255-6365.
C.R.O.S.S. Center
The C.R.O.S.S. Center is dedicated to providing encouragement and assistance to residents of Benton County who are experiencing short-term difficulties in meeting their basic needs. They need individuals to sponsor families and buy gifts for these families during the holiday season. These gifts will then be distributed on December 18. During the holiday season, they give families extra food and are asking for additional food donations to meet those needs.
For more information, please contact Carole Mersinger at (320) 968-7012.
The Children's Home
The Children's Home Society & Family Services helps children succeed and works to strengthen and build individual, family, and community life. Their seniors program has new donated bedding on hold in Becker, but needs to get it transported to St. Paul. They need volunteers to bring the bedding to seniors living in St. Paul who recently received new mattresses and box springs. Items can be picked up Monday thru Friday and volunteers will be contacted as needed. This is a great ongoing opportunity for a business that regularly travels between St. Cloud and St. Paul. Volunteers must have a vehicle that can safely and adequately transport bedding.
For more information on this opportunity, please call Sally Spreeman at 1-800-952-9302 ext. 2320.
St. Cloud Crisis Nursery
The St. Cloud Crisis Nursery needs one or two volunteers to help the Youth Intervention Program set up meetings with legislators at the Capital. Volunteers would work 5 hours a week for 4 weeks from the middle of January until February 14. Volunteers must have a phone. A script is available for volunteers to use to talk with legislators.
If you are interested and /or want more information, please contact Carol at (320) 282-2143.
The Volunteer Connection Service Bulletin is brought to you by the staff of the St. Cloud State University Volunteer Connection program:
Laura Merrill, Volunteer Connection Coordinator, 308-5693
lcmerrill@stcloudstate.edu,
Atwood 139
Maren Greathouse, Graduate Assistant, 308-3058
greatm01@stcloudstate.edu,
Atwood 139
Eveily Freeman, AmeriCorps member, Service-Learning Coordinator, 308-3898
elfreeman@stcloudstate.edu,
Atwood 139
Additional volunteer information is available from:
- Volunteer Central MN is a service of the United Way of Central Minnesota that instantly links you to volunteer opportunities that match your interest, skills, and schedule, visit www.unitedwayhelps.org.
- Z-Club, a SCSU student organization that promotes service opportunities, has weekly meetings Wednesday’s at 4:00pm in the Lady’s Slipper Room in Atwood. For more information look at their web site www.geocities.com/zclubscsu/home.html or email zclubscsu@hotmail.com.
- Volunteer Connection website has info about special events, non-profit agencies, and archives of all past Service Bulletins: www.stcloudstate.edu/volunteer.
*NEW* Bulletin Information
Please note that recipients of this newsletter may not post messages to the entire group. If you have comments or an item you'd like included in future newsletters, please email the information to the moderator at volunteer@stcloudstate.edu.
Feel free to forward this newsletter to others at St. Cloud State University and encourage them to sign up to receive the newsletter directly.
Anyone can SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE online by following the instructions on the Volunteer Connection website at http://www.stcloudstate.edu/volunteer/bulletins/archives.asp.
