November Volunteer Opportunities

November Volunteer Opportunities

Friday, November 12 – Salvation Army Bell Ringers
Times available throughout the day

Can you ring a bell for 2 hours? Do you know 2 friends who can ring for 2 hours? If so, you and your friends will be part of changing people's lives. The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to ring bells during their annual Tree of Lights Campaign, starting November 12 and running through Christmas. Volunteer for a day or a weekly shift, all help is greatly appreciated. To sign up, go to http://www.tsaspringfield.org/ringbells.html and choose your shift time. Or call the Salvation Army at 217-525-2196 x 206.

Featured Service Splash
Tuesday, November 16 – Thursday, November 18 – Hunger and Homelessness Week
Multiple events

The Volunteer & Civic Engagement Center and Lincoln Land Community College are teaming up to organize a number of awareness raising activities during the 2010 National Hunger and Homelessness Week.

Tuesday, November 16 – Closing the Food Gap
5:00 – 7:00 PM, SLB Gym

As part of the ECCE speaker series, author and activist Mark Winne will be speaking about the myriad relationships between American agriculture, food security, and obesity. Extraordinary people all over America are taking action, changing the way we eat to improve their lives and the lives of their families. Join us at Closing the Food Gap for a two part exploration and discussion of their ideas. We’ll finish the night with an Oxfam Hunger Banquet, a meal/metaphor meant to spark discussion of a big question. How should we, as American students and citizens, react in the face of global hunger?

Wednesday, November 17 – Faces of the Homeless
1:00 – 2:30 PM, Trutter Center, LLCC

Lincoln Land Community College continues their powerful Faces of the Homeless panel, a facilitated discussion among university students, staff, and Springfield citizens who have personally experienced homelessness. This is your chance to ask questions and get real, unfiltered information on why people become homeless, the struggles they face on a day to day basis, and how they can be empowered to escape life on the streets and in shelters. A shuttle will be leaving from the Volunteer Center (SAB 60) at 12:50 PM for any student that would like a ride to this event.

Thursday, November 18 – Sleep Out for the Homeless
Starting at 4:00 PM, Outside Menard Hall, LLCC

Our newest event, the Sleep Out for the Homeless is a chance for you to demonstrate your support for the end of homelessness in Springfield. The night will start with a cookout meal at 5:00 PM, followed by a viewing of Have You Seen Clem?, a comedy/ documentary about the triumphs and struggles of American men and women who have no home to turn to. Willing participants will spend the whole night outside (weather permitting). Participants should bring their own shelter, and may bring tents, sleeping bags, boxes, tarps, or anything else that might serve. Others are welcome to join us for the activities portion of the night, and may leave afterwards if they are not comfortable sleeping outside.

Any questions about H&H Week activities? Call 217-206-7716 or e-mail volunteer@uis.edu.

November 17-29 – Memorial’s Festival of Trees
Multiple shifts available

Memorial’s Festival of Trees is one of the largest holiday festivals in central Illinois, and depends largely on volunteers to make the event a success. Multiple positions are available, including admissions, floor ambassadors, gingerbread cookies, gingerbread village, Holiday Kitchen, Holiday Market, Little Elves’ Workshop, Santa's House, and train crossing guard. For more information about this event, call (217) 788-4301 or email Festival of Trees at foundation@mhsil.com. To register to volunteer online, go to: https://www.memorialmedicalfoundation.com/FestivalOfTrees/Volunteers.aspx

Ongoing throughout the Winter – Springfield Overflow Shelter
Multiple shifts available

The Springfield Overflow Shelter has opened its doors again for the winter and needs volunteers. The SOS is a seasonal shelter that opens during the coldest months of the year, when men and women who don’t have homes are at risk of serious cold exposure if they remain outside. Volunteers are needed to serve meals or work in the shelter, along with donations of food and disposable paper products. Contact Cori Charlson at sos.hhos@comcast.net or by telephone at 217-744-0470 to help.