This bi-weekly 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 interested in volunteering, but aren’t sure which agency might be a good fit, please contact the Volunteer Connection staff—drop by Atwood 139, call 308-5693 or email volunteer@stcloudstate.edu.
SCSU Volunteer Connection Service Bulletin
Published twice per month
Sept. – April
Winter 2005 – December 15, 2005 6th Edition
* The next Service Bulletin will be January 12, 2006 *
ALTERNATIVE SPRING BREAK 2006
Spring Break is just around the corner. Would you like to go somewhere but can't afford the airfare and lodging? Would you like to have fun AND make a difference in someone's life over break? Then we have just the trip for you...
Volunteer Connection is organizing 3 Alternative Spring Break Service Trips to the following locations:
- Lame Deer, MT - Boys and Girls Club on the Northern Cheyenne Indian
Reservation.
Participants will be working with youth in an after school program and assisting the community with other special projects as needed. - Crossville, TN - The Cumberland Trail.
Participants will assist in trailblazing and maintaining a portion of a 300-mile footpath for ecological and environmental preservation. - El Paso, TX - Project Vida.
Participants will assist a low income border community with community-building and revitalization projects.
All trips are $170 and include travel, lodging, and most food costs. Participants travel in vans to each site. Apply soon as space is limited and trips are beginning to fill. Early, qualified applicants will receive priority. When trips are filled you may choose to participate in one of the other trips if space is still available.
Final deadline for all applicants is Jan. 30, 2006. Applications may be downloaded from the Volunteer Connection website at www.stcloudstate.edu/volunteer or picked up from our office in Atwood Center, Rm. 139.
This is a wonderful opportunity to travel while providing much needed service in communities across the country. It is also a great learning and leadership experience!
Rich Murray Volunteer Scholarship Application
Are you a student who is active in volunteer and community service work? Then we would encourage you to apply for the Rich Murray $500 Volunteer Service Scholarship. This award recognizes an SCSU student who has demonstrated a commitment of giving through volunteerism while a student at SCSU. This may be service with an established organization or individual acts of service over a significant period of time. The scholarship is available to any SCSU student (undergraduate or graduate). Only service activities done while at SCSU will be recognized. Please print a copy of the application from the Volunteer Connection website at www.stcloudstate.edu/volunteer or stop in to the Volunteer Connection office in Atwood Center Rm. 139 to pick up an application. Applications are being accepted now and are due no later than February 10, 2006.
The Good Shepherd Community
Good Shepherd is looking for male volunteers to chat about hunting or fishing or farming with some of our male residents. We are looking for male visitors to adopt a grandpa in our Memory Loss Cottages.
Please contact:
Beth Chapin
Community Resources Coordinator
The Good Shepherd Community
1115 4th Avenue North
Sauk Rapids, MN 56379
bethchapin@ecumen.org
(320) 252-6525 ext. 2124
Salvation Army
From now until Dec. 24 we will be bell ringing at 18 different locations.
It goes from 9am - 9pm daily Monday - Saturday.
We ask a two hour commitment.
Here are some volunteer opportunities that are everyday and some that are just for the holidays.
Thank you for thinking of The Salvation Army and our volunteer needs. We have volunteer needs all year long but of course we have more at Christmas.
Some of the Holiday needs are:
Gift Wrapping - Nov. 30 at 9-12 and/or 1-4
Dec. 13 at 9-12 and/or 1-4
Adopt a Family - You can call and say what size of a family you are looking for and we try to match you up with a family that size. We tell you what suggested items they need or would like.
Food and toy drives-we are collecting food and toys at various locations and through various groups for our holiday distribution.
Giving Tree - we have a location at the mall with a tree that has tags on it. Each tag represents a boy or girl that needs clothing. People take these tags and purchase items for these children. There is also a smaller tree there that is for adults that are handicapped in some way and are not receiving gifts from anyone else. These names are given to us by the local social service departments. We need people to sit at this tree from Nov. 28 through Dec. 18. It is everyday from 10am - 9pm. People need to be there to have people taking tags fill out donor cards and also to accept the gifts that they bring back. Each night we have an employee come and pick up any toys that are brought back that day.
Set up and Distribution - Dec. 19-21 is our set up for our big Holiday distribution. We will be distributing food, clothing and toys to over 1000 families.
Dec. 22 and 23 is the actual distribution of all of these items.
This whole week we need many volunteers to help us sort, pack and get ready and then hand everything out to the clients who signed up.
Regular Volunteer Opportunities:
Lunch Program: Monday - Friday 8:30 - 1:30 or 11 - 1:30 at 223 E. St. Germain, St. Cloud
Food Shelf Program Monday - Friday 9-11 or Monday - Thursday 1-4 at 223 E. St. Germain, St. Cloud
Thrift Store Monday - Friday 10-6:30 and Saturday 9-5:30 at 506 Division, Waite Park
If you can help with any of these projects, please call Jan Henning at 252-4552.
Hands Across the World
ESL Teaching Assistants: Hands Across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in ESL and other skills to refugee and immigrant newcomers to St. Cloud. Nine to twelve teaching assistants are needed for adult ESL classes of all levels. Assistants will help the instructors with materials and activities, serve as resources for pronunciation, take part in discussions, and work one-on-one with students. Our ESL classes are meant to be a valuable and fun experience for all involved, students and teachers. If you're interested in ESL or if you'd like to meet and work with people from other cultures, this could be a great opportunity for you. Classes are Tuesday-Friday from 9:30-11:30 AM at the Southside Boys & Girls Club; we need volunteers who can come regularly at least one day a week.
Facilitator for Immigrant Computer Class: Hands Across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in ESL and other skills to refugee and immigrant newcomers to St. Cloud. We need an adult volunteer with very good computer skills to oversee a beginning computer class. Other volunteers will work one-on-one with students to help them navigate the internet, set up email, and learn basic programs; the facilitator, in addition to working with students, will set up snacks and announce breaks, help with any computer problems that come up, and be responsible for the group and the machines. Classes will take place on Mondays from 9:30-11:30 AM at the Southside Boys & Girls Club.
Refugee and Immigrant Child Care Assistants: Hands across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in ESL and other skills for immigrant and refugee newcomers to St. Cloud. We are in need of assistants to help the child care director care for children 6 months-3 years old while their parents are in ESL classes. Our goal is to give the children the love and attention they need while we help them learn English and adjust to life in St. Cloud through activities and games. Parents are considered the primary caregivers, and will be responsible for changing diapers and feeding; the volunteers will help the director supervise and carry out activities for the children. If you have worked or plan to work in education or social services, if you just enjoy children or if you're interested in other cultures, this is a great opportunity for you to help others while learning more about them. Volunteers must be 16 years old and up. Classes are Monday-Friday from 9:30-11:30 am; we need people who can commit to work at least one day a week regularly for an eight week session.
Tutors to Teach Computer Skills to Refugees and Immigrants: Hands across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in ESL and other skills to refugee and immigrant newcomers to St. Cloud. We need five to ten tutors to help our students learn to use computers for work and fun. Working one-on-one with students, tutors will assist them in setting up email accounts, using Microsoft Word and Excel, using templates to write letters, and navigating the internet. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in meeting and working with people from other cultures. Volunteers should have a good working knowledge of basic computer applications such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, and the internet. Classes will take place on Mondays from 9:30-11:30 AM at the Southside Boys & Girls Club.
Sewing Class Assistants for Immigrants and Refugees: Hands across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in ESL and other skills to refugee and immigrant newcomers to St. Cloud. Two volunteers with good sewing skills are needed for our ESL sewing classes. The volunteers will help the instructor with materials and equipment and assist the students with their sewing. If you like to sew and are interested in helping refugee and immigrant women develop a valuable skill, this could be a great opportunity for you. Classes will take place on Mondays at Bethlehem Lutheran Church; basic sewing is from 9:30-11:30 AM and advanced sewing from 12-2 PM.
For more information please contact Julie Collins at 251-7700 or juliecollins@astound.net
UNITED WAY
Volunteer Central MN is a service of United Way that connects people with local volunteer opportunities. To help you promote volunteerism, United Way of Central Minnesota highlights a few area opportunities each week. If you would like to receive this column or would like information on additional opportunities contact United Way 2-1-1 or visit the easy to use website at www.unitedwayhelps.org
Family Support
Central MN Habitat for Humanity builds homes with low- income families throughout Stearns, Benton, Sherburne, and Wright counties. They are currently seeking dedicated volunteers to build a relationship with a Habitat family. This is a great opportunity for a group or couple to establish a helping relationship with a family in need of support, advocacy, and encouragement. Volunteers are asked to make an 18 - 24 month commitment. A three- hour training session will be provided for volunteers in January.
If interested, contact Jeff Carmack at (320) 656-8890.
Share Outdoor Stories
Good Shepherd Community provides health care and housing services for adults in Central Minnesota. Their facility is home to services such as home health care, memory loss cottages, apartment living, and many other services. They are currently looking for volunteers to share their hunting and fishing stories with Memory Loss Cottage residents. This is a great opportunity to tell stories of your most memorable catch or share a laugh about the one that got away.
For more information, contact Beth Chapin at (320) 252-6525.
Appointment Transportation
Foley Area C.A.R.E is committed to helping older adults in Foley to remain healthy, safe, and independent in their own homes. They are currently seeking volunteers to provide transportation for older adults in the Foley area. Volunteers are needed to drive to St. Cloud and also to the local clinic in Foley. This is a great opportunity to develop friendships with older adults in the community while volunteering. Volunteers must be 18 or older, have a valid driver's license, vehicle insurance, and pass a background check. No smoking is allowed while providing transportation.
For more information, contact Janis Brown at (320) 968-7848.
Storybook Reader
Maple Lake Public Schools Community Care program offers a connection between the community and local schools through volunteers. They are currently looking for volunteers to be a part of storybook time at the elementary school. Volunteers dress in donated costumes while reading stories to children. Volunteers will read a book to three different classroom groups in the media center and are asked to complete an orientation session.
For more information, contact Celeste Dahlstrom (320) 963-6600.
Youth Counselor
Sheriffs Youth Programs operate the St. Cloud Group Home to provide services in a structured learning environment to adolescents 11-17 years old. They are currently looking for volunteers to provide assistance one on one or in a group setting with young people at the facility. This would be a great opportunity to teach and learn with youth. Volunteers are asked to fill out an application, complete a background check, and interview with a staff member.
If interested, contact Joseph Schramel at (320) 259-6764.
Computer Assistant
Talahi Senior Campus provides quality health care and services to residents of their community campus. They are currently seeking volunteers to help residents as well as staff with computer related tasks. Volunteers could help residents access email, surf the Internet, and play games on the computer. Volunteers would also help staff by logging volunteer hours and assisting in developing presentations and trainings for staff. A one- hour orientation is required.
For more information, contact Tony Nathe at (320) 251-9120.
The Service Bulletin is brought to you by Volunteer Connection
located in
139 Atwood Memorial Center on the St. Cloud State University campus
2005-2006 Volunteer Connection Staff
- Beth Knutson-Kolodzne, Coordinator, 308-5693,
beknutsonkolodzne@stcloudstate.edu - Erin Van Bruggen, Graduate Assistant, 308-3058,
vaer0501@stcloudstate.edu - Christopher Bineham, AmeriCorps member and Service-Learning Coordinator, 308-3898, crbineham@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 club that promotes service opportunities, has weekly meetings on Wednesdays at 4:00 PM in the Atwood Lady’s Slipper or Voyageurs North Room. For more information, go to their website: http://studentorg.stcloudstate.edu/z_club/ or email z_club@stcloudstate.edu.
- The Volunteer Connection website has info. about special events, non-profit agencies, & archives of all past Service Bulletins: www.stcloudstate.edu/volunteer.
Volunteer Connection ~ St. Cloud State University ~ Atwood 139 ~ 320-308-5693
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.
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Anyone can SUBSCRIBE or UNSUBSCRIBE online by following the instructions on the Volunteer Connection website at http://www.stcloudstate.edu/volunteer/bulletins/archives.asp.
