Wednesday, April 27, 2011

Keep Lending a Helping Hand!

UIS is in need of about 10 more volunteers to help with Commencement. Details include:
Date: Saturday, May 14
Where: Prairie Capital Convention Center
Time: 12:00 pm – 2:30 pm
Responsibilities: To help students lineup in proper college programs and make sure students stay in their proper lines as they walk into the seating area.
To volunteer to help, contact Grant Johnson at gjohn04s@uis.edu.

Also, considering helping out with The Glass Collection on Saturday May 21 from 8am to noon. For more information call the Division of Waste & Recycling at 789-2327 and visit their website at http://www.springfield.il.us/.

Wednesday, April 20, 2011

More Opportunities!

Springfield Animal Protective League
APL’s Summer Junior Volunteer Program is a go! The Program will run for 10 weeks from June 13 – August 21.
Attention Adults interested in helping! I heard from a few of you a couple months ago. Now that’s it’s official, I’d like to hear from you again if you’re interested in helping with this program! There are many new volunteers seeing this for the first time, so what I’m looking for in a nutshell is for adults to participate as “Team Leaders”. Based on your schedule, you would commit to a regular weekly 4-hour shift. During that time you would supervise a group of 4-5 teens in activities here at the shelter, at off-site events, and at special fundraisers. I would ESPECIALLY love to have some responsible college students involved. I will be holding two informational/training sessions for Team Leaders next week: Monday, April 18 at 6pm and Saturday, April 23 at 10am. Please let me know which one you can attend. You need not make an official commitment until you attend a session to get more info. Further training will be provided in May.
Attention Teens and Parents of Teens! The application is attached to this email. If you have trouble opening the attachment, let me know, and I can fax or mail you one. Note on the app that an essay or artwork project will be required as well. Incomplete applications will not be accepted. Any teenager at least 13 years old is eligible to apply. APPLICATIONS MUST BE RECEIVED BY MAY 7. They can be dropped off at the shelter, mailed, or faxed to 217-525-5896. Applicants will be invited to an orientation, dates TBA. There will be a small t-shirt/participation fee, probably around $15 per teen, to be paid at orientation. One parent or legal guardian will be required to attend orientation with their child and will sign release forms to give permission for the kids to participate in activities.

I’m still working out the kinks, but I will be able to give everyone much more information on the types of things you’ll be doing at info meetings and orientations. I am SUPER excited that we’re trying this out, and I hope it will be an amazing experience for everyone involved! Contact Angie Antonucci at 217-544-7387 (ext.) 227 or at volunteer@apl-shelter.org

CENTRAL ILLINOIS FOODBANK

MOBILE PANTRY COORDINATORS
A mobile pantry is a method of direct client distribution that utilizes a dry/refrigerated vehicle to provide food that traditional pantries do not normally accept or distribute to people in need. These events encourage community collaboration and are an energetic, fun, and rewarding experience for all volunteers involved.

Foodbank needs volunteers to organize mobile pantries in the following counties: Bond, Christian, Greene, Logan & Morgan. The Mobile Pantry Coordinator will be responsible for managing the recruitment of host sites and volunteers. On the day of the event, the Mobile Pantry Coordinator will delegate volunteer tasks to ensure the operation runs smoothly. These Mobile Pantries will take place on a Saturday morning or weekday evening in each of the counties stated above once per quarter (17 mobiles pantries remaining for 2011). We are seeking Mobile Pantry Coordinators that can commit to volunteering at several Mobile Pantries throughout the year.

AGENCY CONFERENCE VOLUNTEERS
We host an annual conference offering educational sessions and networking opportunities for our partner agencies. We need volunteers for the following projects:

Agency conference event volunteers - help with setting up food, seating guests, cleanup, etc. Friday, April 29th 7:00am - 5:00pm.

GROUP SORTING EVENTS
Groups of 6-8 people who are at least 16 years of age and able to lift up to 50 pounds are needed on Thursday evenings from 5:00-8:00pm. Groups will be sorting salvage product into boxes. All volunteers should wear covered shoes and clothes that may be dirtied.

To sign up for any of these volunteer opportunties, please contact Shawna Cain at: scain@centralilfoodbank.org or 217-522-4022.

May and Summer Opportunities

Art Fair Comes to Downtown Springfield!
Saturday, May 21 shifts available from 6:00am to 10:00am
                                                           11:00am to 2:00 pm
                                                            12:00pm to 2:30pm
                                                            2:30pm to 5:00pm
Sunday, May 22 shifts available from 10:00am to 12:00pm
                                                         11:00am to 2:00pm
                                                          12:00pm to 2:30pm
                                                          2:00pm to 4:00pm
If you would like to volunteer contact Brant Mackey at 217-726-6600 or brrant@springfieldbusinessjournal.com

The Forever Home Feline Ranch
June 3/4 - Garage Sale. Also looking for donations and help the days of the event.

June 8 - Fundraiser Dinner at the Pasfield Home. Dinner will be served - tickets are $50.00. Guest Speaker Melanie Brooks.

June 25- This will be a get together at the ranch. We would like everyone to come out to Rochester to see the property.

July - Save the Dates! Bowling event and Noodles & Company

The Ranch has lots of babies! We have three mothers and three litters of kittens. We have a 4 week old litter, 3 week old litter, and a 2 week old litter. 14 tiny babies to be exact. These kids will need vet care and eventually be looking for their own homes.
If you would like to help with any of these events, you can contact Michelle Claussen at mclau2@uis.edu
Also follow the Ranch on Facebook and Twitter!

Don't forget about our other events coming up in May!
May 7 is the Earth Awareness Fair at Erin's Pavilion
May 21 is the Glass Recycling Collection