Volunteer Connection Service Bulletin: March 4, 2005
A bi-weekly newsletter of local service opportunities (also see the bulletin
archives)
March 4, 2005 ~ Spring #4
This bulletin lists information about one-time and on-going service opportunities, special events, and nonprofit agencies to help you get involved in the community! If you're a SCSU student, staff, or faculty member interested in volunteering but aren't sure which agency might be a good fit, contact the Volunteer Connection staff. Please drop by Atwood 139, call, or email us (contact info and instructions for [un]subscribing are listed at the end of the bulletin.)
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Planned Parenthood - St. Cloud
Planned Parenthood of St. Cloud has two volunteer opportunities available!
Medical Secretary Intern or Volunteer: The clinic intern will perform a variety of tasks within the clinic essential to efficient, customer-focused service delivery. Position includes interaction with patients, in-clinic triage, patient education and referral, appointment scheduling, and assisting staff with efficient management of clinic flow process.
Clinic Nurse Volunteer: As a volunteer RN/LPN, your duties will include recording patients' blood pressures and weights, recording information in charts, educating patients about reproductive health and contraceptives, reviewing patient histories and doing other tasks related to patient examinations and interaction. Volunteer Nurses must have a current RN or LPN license and strong communication skills.
To inquire about these volunteer opportunities at Planned Parenthood, please contact Carol at 320-252-9504 or email clarsen@ppmns.org.
Tri-CAP
The mission of Tri-CAP is to be a catalyst to expand opportunities for the economic and social well-being of our residents and the physical revitalization of our communities. The Community Services department is having a fundraiser April 1st to raise money for clients who do not qualify for the Energy Assistance program. The fundraiser is an auction, chicken dinner and meat raffle at the Sauk Rapids Legion. Volunteers are needed to cook for the event. If you want to share your talents in the kitchen, this volunteer opportunity is for you.
To learn more, contact Doris Washington at (320) 251-1612.
Sauk Rapids/Rice Middle School
Sauk Rapids Rice Middle School is just beginning its drama season and is looking for some help with set construction. Rehearsal time is after school, from 3:30-5:30 pm through March 31st. They would prefer students who would like to help with lighting, program design, and make-up, though the initial major job would be the set.
If you are interested, please contact Cheryl Nook at Cheryl.nook@isd47.org
Albany Public Schools
Albany Public Library provides preschoolers with the opportunity to hear and interact with stories while at the library. The Story Time program runs on Wednesdays from 11:00-11:45 a.m. Volunteers are needed to tell stories, do finger plays and/or craft activities with a group of preschoolers. Volunteers can do one story time hour or help on an ongoing basis.
To learn more, contact Karen at (320) 845-4843.
St. Cloud Hospital
St. Cloud Hospital needs volunteers to help out at the information desk and surgical center. They need people who are friendly and personable. Volunteers will help provide information, directions and assistance to visitors and patients as they enter the hospital. They will also help with clerical duties, and provide assistance in other departments as needed. If you enjoy working with people, these are perfect opportunities for you!
For more information, please contact the volunteer office at (320) 255-5638.
Central Minnesota Sexual Assault Center
Volunteers are needed to fill advocacy positions at the Central MN Sexual Assault Center beginning in the spring. Advocates will provide telephone counseling, crisis intervention, information and referral to victims of sexual assault and other concerned persons. Advocates will also provide support during police, medical and legal interviews and procedures and will provide educational presentations on sexual violence to community members. Prior to their advocacy, volunteers are required to complete 40 hours of training, provided by the Sexual Assault Center. Training sessions will be on Thursday evenings from 5-9 p.m. beginning March 24th - April 21st, Wednesday, April 20th and two Saturdays, April 2nd and 16th from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. This is a great opportunity to help people and work towards ending sexual violence.
If interested, contact Tamara Hennes-Vix at (320) 251-4357.
YMCA
The St. Cloud Area YMCA's mission is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build healthy spirit, mind, and body for all. The goal of 2005 Great River Run/Walk is to promote physical fitness in the community by providing an environment where families can be active together. The event will take place on May 7th and 8th. Volunteers are needed to help with various tasks for this event. If you would like to get outside and get some fresh air, this is the opportunity for you.
To find out more, contact Karen Jaenicke at (320) 253-2664.
Bridging, Inc.
Share-a-Chair merged with Bridging, Inc. in January to serve the 13 counties surrounding St. Cloud. Bridging, Inc. is a nonprofit furniture bank located in Sauk Rapids and Bloomington. Since its beginning 17 years ago, volunteers have played central roles in fulfilling the Bridging mission to extend community resources by distributing free beds, furniture, and household goods to people in transition. Bridging benefits those in desperate need including refugees, victims of domestic abuse, and the homeless, who are given a sense of dignity and stability as they select basic furniture and household items to help them rebuild their lives.
Whatever amount of time you have available, Bridging offers meaningful ways to be connected through service. Volunteers are needed to help clients shop, load and unload furniture, answer phones, greet clients, and assemble/repair furniture. Because of the nature of our organization, many volunteer projects will include some physical work. Group and individual opportunities available during all hours of operation: Monday through Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. and on Saturday from 10:00 to 3:00 p.m.
For more information, please contact Diana Dalsin, Volunteer Manager, at 952-888-0746 or email diana@bridging.org. Call us directly in Sauk Rapids at 320-229-7636.
St. Cloud Crisis Nursery
The St. Cloud Area Crisis Nursery seeks to strengthen and nurture families in cooperation with community organizations and individuals. They are looking for a volunteer to help with general office duties five hours a week. Volunteers are also needed to help with Empty Bowls, which is a community soup feed to fight hunger in Central Minnesota. Volunteers are needed to help set up bowls on March 15th and take down bowls on March 25th.
If interested, please contact Carol Otremba at (320) 282-2143 or scloudcn@lssmn.org.
St. John's Arboretum
Saint John's Arboretum Maple Syrup Festival began in spring of 2001. The event includes fun and educational activities, including tours of the maple tree stand (called the 'sugarbush'), tapping demonstrations, sap collecting, history talks, horse-drawn wagon rides, and syrup sundaes. Volunteers are needed to do various tasks for the event. Event days are March 12 and April 2 from 12:30 - 4:30 p.m. Spend the day at Saint John's and learn all about maple syrup.
To learn more, contact Sarah at (320) 363-3133.
Anna Marie's Battered Women's Shelter
Anna Marie's Alliance, also known as Central MN Task Force on Battered Women, is dedicated to the liberation and empowerment of battered women and their children. Cosmetologists see changes in women's hair, such as missing clumps of hair or bruising to the scalp. They need to know about domestic abuse and how to safely help their clients. Volunteers are needed to help distribute information to hair salon managers on how to recognize signs and help their clients. Volunteers are needed on a regular basis, such as 3 hours per week or until the project is complete. Volunteers are also needed to help transport residents of the Jill Eckhoff Transitional House to the grocery store on Monday nights from 6:00 - 7:30 p.m. All volunteers must have a valid MN license, safe driving record, and car insurance.
If interested, contact Judith Gay at (320) 253-6900.
Salvation Army
Salvation Army in St. Cloud has as its purpose the relief of those individuals in St. Cloud who find themselves in need of assistance. They need kitchen helpers for their Community Lunch Program, Monday through Friday, 11:00 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. Volunteers are needed to help out one day a week doing various duties in the kitchen during the lunch program. Volunteers must be able to lift 20 pounds, work well with others, and must be at least 16 years old.
To find out more information, contact Jan Henning at (320) 252-4552.
Foley Area C.A.R.E.
The mission of Foley Area C.A.R.E. is to assist elder neighbors to remain healthy and active members in their community and to live safely with dignity and independence in their own homes. The C.A.R.E. program is in need of people who can transport elders to and/or from such things as doctor appointments, hospital visits, grocery store trips and other such needs. Volunteers need to have their own car to use for transport and have a valid driver's license. A volunteer is also needed to play cards with a gentleman who is undefeated. There is nothing better than seeing an elder light up when they have a partner to join them in playing a game of cards.
To learn more, contact Janis Brown at (320) 968-7848.
Muscular Dystrophy Association
Each summer the Muscular Dystrophy Association sponsors a weeklong, expense paid summer camp for children ages 6-21 living with Muscular Dystrophy. Plans are well underway and volunteers are needed to serve as counselors. This year's MDA Summer Camp will run June 4-11 at Camp Courage in Maple Lake. Camp Counselors must be at least 16 years of age and be able to physically lift a camper between the ages of 6-21. Counselors are assigned to a camper with Muscular Dystrophy and serve as their companion for the week. Throughout the week, attendants assist their camper with various activities. More importantly, attendants ensure their campers have a fun and memorable experience.
For more information, contact Kelly at (952) 841-0533.
Community Youth Connections- Sauk Rapids/Rice School District
Community Youth Connections is a group that sponsors family-based activities throughout the school year for pre-school and elementary aged students in the Sauk Rapids-Rice district. Our upcoming event, the Eggstravaganza, is a popular Easter-themed event for families. It is scheduled for Saturday, March 26, from 10:00-12:00 (volunteers work 9:30-12:30 to assist with set-up, etc.). Volunteers are needed for their "craft" area with face painting and a bunny ear project. There is also an Easter egg hunt, egg dying, Bingo, photos with the Easter Bunny, and gym games scheduled and volunteers may be asked to help in those areas if needed. The event takes place at Mississippi Heights Elementary School in Sauk Rapids.
If you have any questions, or would like to sign up to volunteer for this event, please contact Kelly at 258-1573.
The Service Bulletin is brought to you by Volunteer Connection, located in 139 Atwood Memorial Center on the St. Cloud State University campus.
2004-2005 Volunteer Connection Staff:
Laura Merrill, Interim Coordinator, 308-5693
lcmerrill@stcloudstate.edu
Maren Greathouse, Graduate Assistant, 308-3058
greatm01@stcloudstate.edu
Eveily Freeman, AmeriCorps member, Service-Learning Coordinator, 308-3898
elfreeman@stcloudstate.edu
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.
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.
