New this month…

May 10, 2012 by Leave a Comment

It’s been awhile since we’ve highlighted newly posted opportunities. Rest assured, we’re adding things almost every week! Here are some of the freshest, newest, shiniest opportunities to serve!

Guardian Finance and Advocacy Services

Mother’s Day Flower Project – Flower Delivery  Deliver potted flowering plants to Guardian’s female clients who are residing in nursing homes, assisted living facilities, adult foster care homes, and who are living independently. Many of these women do not have family or friends to honor them on this special occasion (Mother’s Day). Your smiling faces with a plant and a special card will brighten their day.    Volunteers are needed to deliver plants to clients in Kalamazoo, Portage, Schoolcraft, Vicksburg, Galesburg, Plainwell and additional areas.    Flowers and a list of places to deliver can be picked up at the Goodwill office on Alcott Street on Friday, May 11th during the day.    Children must be accompanied by an adult; adults must have a vehicle to deliver flowers.     Hours:  Friday daytime hours flexible. Special arrangements can be made on Saturday if necessary       Minimum age:   16, or 4 with adult
Contact Information: Monika Trahe, director@kalamazooinbloom.org, (269) 381-2977
Address: 420 E. Alcott, Kalamazoo · http://www.guardian-inc.org

Fair Food Matters

Douglass Farmers’ Market Assistant  We are looking for volunteers to help with general operations of the Douglass Farmers’ Market. This usually includes helping vendors set up and take down their booths, collecting market data such as customer counts and surveys, and concessions sales.    Skills or Requirements:We prefer to work with mature, responsible, open-minded, and fun people    Hours: The Douglass Farmers’ Market operates each Tuesday from 2:30-6:30pm from June 5 – August 28.   Location: 1000 West Paterson St, Kalamazoo (Douglass Community Association)    Minimum age: 16, or 12 with adult
Contact Information: Erica Barajas, erica@fairfoodmatters.org, (269) 492-1270
Address: 323 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo · http://www.fairfoodmatters.org

Can-Do Kitchen Gadget Garage Sale Help  The Can-Do Kitchen is having a kitchen gadget garage sale on May 12 from 9am-1pm. We are looking for volunteers to help us organize, sell, and clean-up our items. Volunteers will be handling money.     Hours: Sat, May 12, 2012 [9am-1pm]    Minimum age: 18
Contact Information: Sheena Foster, sheena@fairfoodmatters.org, (269) 492-1270
Address: 323 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo · http://www.fairfoodmatters.org

Fair Food Matters
June Art Hop at Can-Do Kitchen  We are looking for excited volunteers to help make seed balls at the Can-Do Kitchen for the June 1st Art Hop! We will have a "native plants" theme and will be making plantable seed balls with and for the community at our art hop event. Want to help us?    You must not mind getting your hands dirty!    Hours:  June 1, 2012 [5-8pm]     Minimum age:  18, or 15 with adult
Contact Information: Sheena Foster, sheena@fairfoodmatters.org, (269) 492-1270
Address: 323 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo · http://www.fairfoodmatters.org

100 Mile Market Helping Hand  The 100 Mile Market is a Farmers’ Market that takes place every Wednesday starting May 2nd through October 31st in the People’s Food Co-op parking lot. Fair Food Matters’ Can-Do Kitchen has a table at this market and is looking for help with tear-down every week. We need someone capable of helping disassemble a tent and move tables from 7-8pm every Wednesday through October.    If you are able to participate on multiple Wednesdays, that would be great!    Some medium lifting is involved.    Hours:  Every Wed through October, 2012 [7-8pm]
Contact Information: Sheena Foster, sheena@fairfoodmatters.org, (269) 492-1270
Address: 323 N Burdick St, Kalamazoo · http://www.fairfoodmatters.org

Harry Stout Foundation

Harry’s Fun Fest Volunteers  Volunteers are needed for an assortment of positions at our annual fundraiser. Duties include food preparation and packaging, money handling, supervision of children’s rides, face painting, blowing balloons with helium tanks, wearing children’s costumes, trash pickup, etc. It really is a fun time for a great cause!    No specific skills needed.    Hours: Sat, Jun 2, 2012 [10am-9pm]. Flexible shifts as little as 2-hours. Groups welcome.    Minimum age: 15, or 12 with adult
Contact Information: Meryl Stout, meryl@harrystout.org, (269) 217-9490
Address: 726 Bayberry Ln, Otsego · http://harrystout.org

Kalamazoo County

Advisory Boards & Commissions

Read more about a variety of boards and commissions that need your help here.  Boards include: Animal Services, Public Works, Community Action Tripartite Advisory Board, Community Mental Health Board, Older Adult Services Advisory Council, Metropolitan County Planning Commission, Soil Erosion & Sedimentation Control Board of Appeals, Kalamazoo County Transportation Authority.
Contact Information: Tina Becker, tmbeck@kalcounty.com, (269) 384-8111
Address: 201 West Kalamazoo Ave, Kalamazoo · http://www.kalcounty.com/

Tabitha Farm Urban Homestead & Community Garden

Tabitha Farm Urban Homestead & Community Garden Open House  Volunteers are needed for an open house: before, during and after! Before, volunteers are needed for set-up. During the event, volunteers are needed to help with the kids craft table, washing dishes and general making people feel comfortable. Help to clean up after the event.     The only requirement? Just have a great shiny attitude.     Hours:  Monday, May21, Set-Up [2-4pm], Event [4-8pm], Clean-up [8-9pm]    Minimum age: 18, or 12 with adult.
Contact Information: Katie Pearson, ksunshine6@hotmail.com, 269-290-9060
Address: 111 Dixie Ave, Kalamazoo

Thrill The World Kalamazoo

Event Coordinators  Thrill The World Kalamazoo will dance again this year to raise awareness and funds for  The LADY Program . The LADY Program is a nonprofit organization working to improve safety for women and girls in the greater Kalamazoo area. The event is the afternoon of October 27, 2012 (Thrill Day), the Saturday before Halloween.    Event Coordinator Volunteers are being sought. No experience necessary; just a sincere willingness to help.    Dancers are also needed. Registration is open and Flash Mobs are being planned to promote Thrill Day. Dance workshops will be held or dancers can learn the choreography online. Register as an individual or as a team.       Skills or Requirements:    Outgoing, Personable, Commitment to follow-through and see tasks to their successful completion. Fun Loving. No prior experience necessary. Email communication is a must.      Learn more at   ThrillTheWorldKalamazoo.com

Hours:   Meeting times are flexible and often you can make your own hours. Event date is Oct 27, 2012        Minimum age:   17
Contact Information: Julie Frederick, ttwkalamazoo@gmail.com, 269-327-2252
Address: http://thrilltheworldkalamazoo.com

True Vine Equestrian Center
Office Assistant  Volunteer needed to assist with various office duties. Computer knowledge is required in addition to a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation. Filing, data entry, running errands, and inventory are some of the duties of this position.    Hours: Approximately 5 hrs/wk, Tue & Thu mornings    Minimum age: 16
Contact Information: Sheri Gansen, sssmg91-truevine@yahoo.com, 269-501-0529
Address: 72861 28th St., Lawton · http://truevineequestrian.org

 

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Global Youth Service Day 2012: Good Time Had By All

April 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment

On Friday April 20 and Saturday April 21st, Volunteer Kalamazoo hosted nearly 200 volunteers in a Community Wide Day of Service. This Day of Service coincided with a National Day of Service called Global Youth Service Day (GYSD). GYSD is the largest service event in the world, and although it’s focused on engaging youth in service, the service projects were open to volunteers of all ages.

On Friday, Downtown Kalamazoo Incorporated (DKI) hosted it’s annual downtown clean-up event. Although this event happens yearly, DKI was excited to partner with Volunteer Kalamazoo and create a valuable collaboration.

On Saturday, we hosted over 15 projects, with community volunteers serving in the morning, and students from Great Lakes Peace Jam serving in the afternoon. Pictures from all the projects can be found on our Volunteer Kalamazoo Facebook Page. Partners that hosted projects included Vine Neighborhood Association, Habitat for Humanity, Friendship Village (senior housing complex), Kalamazoo Collective Housing (affordable housing coop), Free Store of Kalamazoo, Trybal Revival Garden, the Edible Edison Community Garden, Kalamazoo Valley Museum, Beadventure, Ministry with Community, and the Peace House.

Highlights of Global Youth Service Day included the installation of solar light poles in a impoverished area of the Vine Neighborhood. This effort was the first project of a new innovative collaboration amongst a number of housing organizations and area nonprofits, with a goal to focus resources on a specific geographic area, in this case Kalamazoo’s Vine Neighborhood.

 

Another highlight included a visit by Nobel Peace Laureate Rigoberta Menchu’ to Tabitha Community Garden. Rigoberta was in town to work with Peace Jam students at their annual conference and she wanted to personally visit a project site.

Volunteer Kalamazoo events for Global Youth Service Day are part of on-going efforts to improve neighborhood safety through service. The next Day of Service Project will be 9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance. Be sure to check our website often for new details on future service projects.

 

Thanks to all the volunteers and nonprofits who participated in Global Youth Service Day and made it such a hugely successful event!

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Urgent Needs…

April 26, 2012 by Leave a Comment

The needs in the community are all important, and we have hundreds of volunteer opportunities listed on our website at any given time that echo this fact.

But, here are a few of the more pressing/urgent needs that haven’t been filled.  Can you help?

Be a Lifesaver Campaign for Kalamazoo County Child Abuse & Neglect Council

Volunteers will request donations for programs that prevent child abuse throughout Kalamazoo County. A campaign apron, canister, Lifesaver candies and contact information for the campaign’s headquarters are provided to volunteers for their shift. Volunteers will need to have the ability to: stand for the duration of the shift, be outgoing and engaging and comfortable talking to the public about CAN activities and request a donation, and provide their own transportation to and from sites. Hours: May 4-6, [9am-5pm], Shifts are scheduled every 2 hrs. Minimum age: 16, or 10 with adult.

Location: Sam’s Club, 7021 S Westnedge Ave, Portage
Contact Information: Samantha Roberts, via email, (269) 552-4430

Canvassing Day for Community Homeworks

As Community Homeworks launches its new program in partnership with Consumers Energy Helping Neighbors, the organization needs volunteers to let neighbors know about this new opportunity to save money and energy  with free energy audits and energy saving measures. Community Homeworks will be hosting a Group Canvassing Day THIS SATURDAY, April 28 from 11-2 PM in the Vine Neighborhood. The day will include an hour orientation and then two hours of canvassing to provide information on this program to local residents.

Contact information: Martha Cavazos, 269-998-3275 ext. 202, via email

Shoe Warehouse Inventory/Sorting for First Day Shoe Fund

Please note: This opportunity is for groups only. Warehouse/inventory workers to periodically sort/prep/inventory shoes for biannual distribution to low-income KPS students. Workers must be able to lift/bend/carry/do light clerical duties. Hours: Needs to be scheduled in May, during the week. Group size: 5-10

Location: KPS warehouse, 501 Alcott Dr, Kalamazoo
Contact Information: Valerie Denghel, (269) 375-7767, via email

CROP Walk Volunteers

Volunteers still needed for Kalamazoo Valley’s CROP WALK on Sunday April 29! Crop walk is a “walk for hunger” community event that the Mission participated in. CROP WALK is in need of 10-12 volunteer to help out with the kids events/activities in Bronson park. The time volunteers would be need to be there would be from 1:00pm-2:15pm to assist with some of the following activities:
• Supervising bubbles/ balloons
• Face painting
• Supervising coloring pages
• Sidewalk chalk games and coloring

Contact Information: Volunteer Coordinator at 345-2974 ext 203, via email

Free Store of Kalamazoo Volunteers

The Free Store of Kalamazoo works like a thrift store except that everything is free. Donations are accepted Tues and Thursdays from 3:30-6pm and Saturdays from 9am – 12pm. Community members are invited to shop on Saturdays from 10 – 1pm. There is no eligibility requirement to shop or donate, all are welcome, all are encouraged to come check us out. As we provide “goods” to the community, our greater intent is to “know” the community and engage in new relationships.
No special skills required. Volunteers can engage as greeters, work at the registration table or check out desk, help the hospitality area offering coffee and refreshments, sort clothing and donated items, or work as “personal shoppers” for those shopping. Learn more at: http://www.sunnysideumc.com/free-store.html

Hours: Saturdays volunteers are invited from 9am – 1pm (shopping occurs from 10-1, donations accepted 9:00 – 12:00); Tuesdays and Thursdays volunteers can sort donated items from 3:30-6:30pm (donations accepted 3:30 – 6pm)

Minimum age: 12, or 5 with adult
Contact Information: Katy Furman, (269) 349-3047, via email

 

Mentoring Adult Offenders for KPEP

KPEP Mentoring Services partners with faith-based Center For Transformation to provide mentoring (group, team, or individual) for “returning citizens”. We seek persons who will support adults who have been in trouble with the law for their successful re-entry into our community. A mentor is a good listener, non-judgmental, focused, assists goal setting, and is a cheerleader! After a brief training session, mentors are matched with a compatible “returning citizen”. Mentors actively listen to a mentee’s challenges, disappointments, frustrations, and help them make informed decisions. The rewards of mentoring are mutually satisfying.

A mentor is a good listener, non-judgmental, stays focused – one day at a time, supports problem solving, encourages goal setting, and maintains regular contacts with client. Our client challenges include: employment, housing, family re-unification, health, substance abuse, education, spiritual growth, starting over, and people’s perceptions.

Contact information: James Brown, (269) 903-0535, via email

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An Observer of (some) Volunteers

April 25, 2012 by Leave a Comment

 

This last weekend was Global Youth Service Day, one of Volunteer Kalamazoo’s Days of Service. Volunteer Kalamazoo had many locations all throughout Kalamazoo and since we had enough volunteer leads at all of the projects, I was able to visit several to take photos. I always look forward to these days where I can just take pictures, because I have the opportunity to just go around and talk to volunteers about what they are doing, why they are there, and everyone is always so … inspirational.

My first visit of the day was the Edible Edison Community Garden. When I arrived, everyone was working. In the 15 or so minutes that I was there, I could already see the physical changes that the volunteers were making. People were talking, digging, and carrying away weeds. I am always impressed by volunteers, and this entire day was no exception. There were two young girls there who had to use the bathroom, and being a parent I know how that goes. Of course, there wasn’t a bathroom available. Most times, this is an issue – but here comes a fellow volunteer to the rescue! Even though these volunteers didn’t know each other (to the best of my knowledge), the other volunteer offered to DRIVE these girls, and their mom, to her house so they could use her bathroom. AWESOME.

From there, I stopped by some volunteers that were installing solar lamps along Burr Oak St in Kalamazoo. I happened upon a husband and wife volunteer team who were working diligently to install the posts. I watched as they worked as a team to properly set the bolts in the bases, align the posts and install. It’s this teamwork that makes projects get done.

My final stop of the day was at the Trybal Revival Garden. When I pulled up, I was astonished at the number of people there. I soon found out that morning was to be an open house and ribbon cutting ceremony for the Garden Resource Shed by Common Ground and the Kalamazoo County Land Bank. There was a group of volunteers from WMU off to the side, all wearing their blue Volunteer Kalamazoo Day of Service shirts. I hung out there for about an hour talking with the volunteers and meandering through the crowd chatting with various people and I couldn’t help but smile. The positive attitude and excitement of everyone was infectious.

Everyone was so enthused about the collaboration of so many organizations, volunteers, community members that I had to stay for the opening of the Resource Shed  and take time to THANK as many people as I possible could. Even though this wasn’t “my project” I felt the need to thank everyone for their part in making our community that much better.

I love Kalamazoo.

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Michigan Blood

April 5, 2012 by Leave a Comment

“You may not have donated the blood, but you’ve still helped to save lives.”

Michigan Blood’s arrival in Kalamazoo is fairly recent. They’ve only been holding drives and supplying blood to both of our hospitals for about 2 years, even though they’ve been around since 1955 in other parts of Michigan. Many people still haven’t heard of them because residents are so used to the Red Cross’ presence.

But, Michigan Blood is here to stay. They were invited into the Kalamazoo area by Bronson and Borgess, and they’re now the sole blood provider for those two hospitals, and 30 other hospitals around the state.

“We serve Michigan hospitals first,” says Manager of Volunteer Services, Donna Martorano. If you donate to Michigan Blood, your blood most likely stays in Michigan.

None of this life-saving work could be done without volunteers, of course.

What do volunteers do at Michigan Blood?

Volunteers at Michigan Blood help with one of the most vital roles at a blood drive. They work the “post-donation station” and fulfill several important duties. They are making sure that donors are spending 10-15 minutes after their donation in the area, getting some refreshments, and ensuring that the donor will not have any adverse reactions. They are keeping the refreshment table stocked. They are chatting with donors and making sure all donors are thanked: “Thank you very much. You saved lives today,” can be heard from some Michigan Blood volunteers.

As Donna says, “Our post-donation station volunteers are the last face of Michigan Blood that donors see before they walk out of the door. It’s a great position for people that love customer service or meeting new people.”

A Michigan Blood volunteer experience is a great option for many people wanting to make a difference. Volunteers for this organization enjoy many advantages:

  • The flexibility to set their own volunteer schedule, booking out in advance or shorter-term.
  • Shifts are usually just 4-6 hours long
  • Training is provided for volunteers
  • Volunteers enjoy the opportunity to talk to people or meet new people
  • The commitment is just one blood drive shift per month

Volunteers can expect to go through a bit of training and then are able to schedule their blood drive shift(s) each month, based on their own availability. All volunteers are sent a monthly calendar (like this), allowing them to view all of the upcoming blood drives and locations. Volunteers simply sign-up for any blood drives they’d like, with just one a month being the expectation.

What are some volunteer success stories from Michigan Blood?

Michigan Blood has some very happy volunteers! Ann (pictured) is a 98-year-old volunteer that has been volunteering with Michigan Blood for around 30 years because it’s such a good fit for her personality and schedule.

There is a husband & wife team in the Kalamazoo area that are not just religious blood donors, but they are also very frequent volunteers! They started as just blood donors, but soon saw another way they could help give the gift of life in between their donations. Blood donors can only donate every 56 days, and these frequent volunteers work blood drives anywhere from 1 to 3 days a week…..except for their 56th day when they are available to give blood!

What should volunteers do to get involved at Michigan Blood?

More information and an application can be found online. Volunteers will go through training, background/reference checks and should have reliable transportation. Have questions? Contact Sherry MacDonald, (269) 408-4705, via email.

 

Filed under Nonprofit Spotlight, Volunteering Tagged with ,

Our Passions

April 3, 2012 by 2 Comments

We had a board meeting at Volunteer Kalamazoo last week. A meeting’s a meeting, right? Well, this one happened to be a good meeting, no – a great meeting filled with dialog, new project ideas and focused conversation about our mission and the work we do here.

During the meeting, we asked each board member to tell us why they were here tonight. And more importantly, why do they support Volunteer Kalamazoo? Why are they passionate about Volunteer Kalamazoo? What are the things about our organization that make them proud?

We’ve got 18 great board members and they had some really wonderful, compelling reasons for why they spend their time with us. Things like: Volunteer Kalamazoo improves the quality of life in our community; volunteering is important and that we do important work and we do it well.

Why are you passionate about Volunteer Kalamazoo?

For a different perspective on Our Passions, take a look at this. We put the board’s responses into tagxedo.com and created this fun word cloud.

At our organization, we are all passionate about Volunteer Kalamazoo. We are passionate about community. We are passionate about volunteerism.

 

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Disaster Relief with the American Red Cross

March 9, 2012 by 2 Comments

I’m originally from Southern Indiana, so as you can imagine, I watched the weather developments with great concern when tornadoes went through last week. I impatiently waited for texts back from family & friends to indicate to me that they were okay and were able to seek shelter. The town of Henryville, which was destroyed in the storms, is located one county over from my hometown.

So, I’ve been thinking a lot about disaster relief. And all that was lost in the storms. And all that the residents will have to do to rebuild their lives.

The American Red Cross of West Michigan has many ways to serve. If you’ve ever considered being that helping hand during times of crisis, learn more about disaster relief opportunities and sign up to help. Skilled and un-skilled volunteers are needed, and training is provided. You could be a comfort to someone after a fire, flood or storm.

Michigander Vicki Eichstaedt, a local Red Cross volunteer, was onsite in Henryville, Indiana helping with disaster relief efforts after the tornadoes:

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Make a Difference in a Girl’s Life

March 1, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Do you want to gain that sense of self-fulfillment when you realize you have positively shaped girl’s lives? Do you want to develop as a leader in a supportive environment? Do you want to better understand and appreciate what is going on in girls lives as they grow and develop? As a Girl Scout Leader or Co-Leader for Girl Scouts Heart of Michigan, this is your opportunity. Troop Leaders inspire, support, and foster girls to become confident and courageous leaders through meetings and activities with the support of our national curriculum and programming.

Girl Scouts stresses that each Troop is a girl-led experience, so activities will vary depending on the interests and abilities of the girls. The main responsibilities of the Leaders is to keep the girls safe, communicate with parents, and work in partnership with the girls as they plan events, manage funds, and develop as leaders.

Hours: Flexible scheduling is one of the many perks of being a Girl Scout Leader or Co-Leader. Troops can meet once a month, twice a month, once a week or as often as you would like depending on your schedule. Generally, Leaders put in about 5-10 hours per month. Read stories from other troop leaders!

Skills/Requirements: Our Girl Scout Leaders and Co-Leader have a wide range of skills, interests, and backgrounds, and  everyone has something to offer girls and our organization. Developing leadership and girl understanding is central to being a Leader or Co-Leader and we offer many adult education opportunities and trainings to further your understanding.

For more information about being a Troop Leader or Co-Leader, contact Jackie Luedtke, 269-532-7051, via email.

Filed under VK Updates

You Are The Missing Link In This Relay Race!

February 29, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Did you know that the Kalamazoo Area Runners (KAR) club is the largest running club in the United States? It’s a very well-kept secret.

Are you a runner and part of the KAR? No? Good- we need you to volunteer!

As a runner myself, I am participating in one of the coolest races in Kalamazoo, the Kal-Haven Ultra Marathon on March 24, 2012. This race benefits the Greater Kalamazoo Girls on Track (a program of Greater Kalamazoo Girls on the Run) and is Kalamazoo’s only relay/Ultra Marathon. Runners can compete as a solo person, two person relay or a three to six person relay team.

And this really cool race needs you to be a success event! The race needs volunteers to help with  a variety of race-related volunteer tasks, such as aid stations, registration and sag (picking up relay participants at the back of the race). Learn more about this fantastic opportunity by clicking here.

Please join me out on the trail by volunteering your time to this great cause. This race helps to raise money for a fantastic program.  You might be lucky enough to see me gasping for air as I run the final 16 miles of the race with my team!

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Home Expo Volunteers for Habitat for Humanity!

February 22, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Kalamazoo Valley Habitat for Humanity is recruiting volunteers to help provide hospitality at the Home Expo, March 7-10, at the old Sam’s Club building on Mall Drive in Portage. Many of you have helped Habitat in the past at this event. Our volunteers will be taking and selling tickets, directing visitors, counting them, and smiling a lot.

The shifts are approximately two hours and we need 10 volunteers for each shift. Each volunteer receives one complimentary admission to the home show. Tickets are $10 this year.

IF YOU CAN HELP, please send an email or call Jane Parikh, our volunteer coordinator at 344-2443, ext. 204 or via email. This is a great way for students 14 and over to earn service hours for school. Feel free to share this invitation with a friend or two.

Here are the shifts available:

Wednesday, March 7

4:30-6:30 p

6:30 – 8:30 p

 Thursday, March 8

11:45-1:45

1:45-3:45

3:45-5:45

5:45-8:45

Friday, March 9

11:45 -1:45

1:45-3:45

3:45-5:45

5:45-8:45

Saturday, March 10

9:45-11:45

11:45 -1:45

1:45-3:45

3:45-5:45

5:45-8:45

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