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
March 16, 2006 Edition
St. Cloud State University's Outdoor Endeavors
St. Cloud State University's Outdoor Endeavors Program has committed to hosting a river clean up event this year in honor of National River Clean Up Week. Our scheduled event will be on May 13, 2006 from 9am-4pm and will occur on the Mississippi River in St. Cloud between Division Street and the boat launch at the South end of the campus. This is the first event of it's kind. Any individual or group organization support would be greatly appreciated! Outdoor Endeavors will provide support in the form of free canoe use, gloves and waste disposal a the end of the day.
Please contact Ivan Bartha for additional information at 320-308-6691 or ilbartha@stcloudstate.edu
United Way of Central MN
Help Keep St. Cloud Clean
Volunteer Connection provides St. Cloud State University students the opportunity to develop leadership skills, a sense of belonging, and civic responsibility through involvement in meaningful service. They are in need of volunteers on April 22 from 1:00 to 3:00 pm to help pick up litter in the community surrounding the University. All supplies and free refreshments will be provided. Help celebrate Earth Day and have fun keeping our world clean. Volunteers will meet at Barden Park (7th St/5th Ave S) at 1:00 pm to get assigned a specific area to clean.
For more information, contact Beth Knutson-Kolodzne at (320) 308-5693.
Elder Network Peer Volunteer Counselor
Senior Helping Hands provides effective services of support, information, and counseling to older adults and their families who may be experiencing chemical dependency/mental health issues. They are seeking older adults who have an interest in the issues affecting the mental well being of other older adults to serve as peer counselors. Peer counselors help clients deal with concerns associated with aging such as loneliness, loss, relocation, chronic pain, and change. Persons interested must complete 42 hours of training before beginning. These trainings will begin on April 4th.
For more information, contact Nancy Fandel at (320) 229-3760.
Deliver Mail
Annandale Health and Community Services offers quality care that shapes the future for the dynamic needs of the people in our community. They are in need of volunteers to assist with distributing mail to the residents. Volunteers are needed on Thursdays and Fridays, anytime after 1:00 pm. Mail distribution will take approximately one half hour per day. All ages are encouraged to participate and experience is not necessary.
If interested, contact Nita Cherry at (320) 274-2591.
Youth Counselor
Sheriffs Youth Programs operates 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 interact with youth. Volunteers are asked to fill out an application, complete a background check, and interview with a staff member.
If interested, contact Michaela at (320) 259-6764.
Mentor Inmates
Central Minnesota Re-Entry Project assists prisoners and ex-prisoners to build healthier lives and become more responsible citizens. They operate a program that matches trained volunteers with motivated inmates to provide friendship and mentoring. By offering visits and friendship, volunteers help prisoners feel cared about, develop trust, and gain a new outlook. Volunteers need to commit to mentoring an inmate for at least one year. Mentors should visit their inmate for one hour at least two times a month. Extensive training and continued support during mentorship will be provided.
For more information, contact Joseph Gibbons at (320) 761-8133.
Spring Cleaning
Faith in Action in Sherburne County provides compassionate, caring assistance to people who find life difficult because of age, disability, or life circumstance. They are looking for volunteers to assist with the Spring Fling Mattress Flipping that will begin on the morning of April 1st. Volunteers will be helping older adults with spring-cleaning by flipping their mattresses and cleaning underneath their beds. Persons interested are encouraged to respond quickly to this opportunity in order to receive detailed information about the day of the event.
For more information, contact Sherri Stefano at (763) 633-0089.
Earth Day Half Marathon
In need of Volunteer hours?
We are looking for volunteers to help with this year’s Earth Day Half Marathon Festival.
Volunteers needed on Friday April 14th 11am – 10pm and Saturday April 15th 7am – noon.
- Job duties range from expo set up to registration to finish
line duties.
Please join us for a good time. - What do you get in return for volunteering?
For 2 hours of volunteer work you have the choice of a T-shirt or a meal ticket.
For 4 hours of volunteer work you receive both a T-shirt and a meal ticket.
For more information go to http://www.earthdayhalfmarathon.org, or
Contact Pam Harvat, Volunteer Coordinator at hapa0502@stcloudstate.edu,
Hole in the Wall Camps
Lots of fun. Lots of laughter. Lots of good times. This is not just a cam, it’s a life-changing. The Association of Hole in the Wall Camps is the largest family of camps in the world for children with serious illnesses. More than 70,000 children with cancer, sickler cell anemia, HIV/AIDS, and other life threatening conditions have experienced the joy of being at camp. For Information on the camps and for Volunteer opportunities that are sure to change your life please visit their website at www.holein thewallcamps.org or call 1-203-562-1203.
You can also contact Keith with Phi Kappa Tau at shke0301@stcloudstate.edu.
Cinco de Mayo Fiesta
If you are looking for a volunteer opportunity that combines fun, community
and culture, then the 24th Annual Cinco de Mayo Fiesta is the place for
you.
On Friday, May 5 and Saturday, May 6, 2006 the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta will
take place on St. Paul's West Side in District Del Sol. With more than
100,000 visitors, we are one of the 10 largest Cinco de Mayo celebrations
in the entire United States…and we need your help.
We are currently looking for volunteers to assist with our celebration,
and whether you want an opportunity for two or 200 people, we are happy
to accommodate your needs. The time commitment is approximately
three hours (or more, if you're willing), and each of our volunteers
will receive a commemorative 2006 Cinco de Mayo t-shirt and complimentary
non-alcoholic drink ticket.
Help us make this event a success! Please pass along this opportunity
to any friends, family members, co-workers, or associations you are involved
with that may be interested in this volunteer opportunity.
To sign up to volunteer, view our online registration form: http://www.districtdelsol.com/cincovolunteer.html.
To contact our Cinco de Mayo Volunteer Coordinator directly with additional
questions you may have, please contact Laurie Healy at cincovolunteer@districtdelsol.com.
¡Muchas Gracias!
Your 2006 Cinco de Mayo Fiesta Planning Committee
For more information on the Cinco de Mayo Fiesta: www.districtdelsol.com/cinco
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.
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.
