Tuesday, December 31, 2013

Resolving to volunteer in 2014

If you are reviewing the laundry list of possible New Year’s resolutions, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley has the 2014 resolution for you! It has significant benefits and won’t cost you any money. This year, resolve to volunteer at least 50 hours to strengthen our Cedar Valley community.

The Cedar Valley area is known for its giving spirit, which is why finding a place to volunteer in the New Year is not an overwhelming task. Local groups, organizations, nonprofits and service clubs can use your skills and resources.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley represents 107 nonprofit agencies which not only welcome volunteers, but need them to fulfil their missions and budgets. The 2013 national value of one volunteer hour is $22.14 based on the 2012 analysis done by the Independent Sector. In Iowa, the average is $17.22.

Your resolution not only benefits the agency or nonprofit – it benefits you! Here are a few benefits:

  • Learn or develop a new skill - Volunteering is the perfect vehicle to discover something you are really good at and develop a new skill.
  • Be part of your community - What better way is there to connect with your community and give back? As a volunteer, you certainly return to society some of the benefits that society gives you. 
  • Motivation and sense of achievement - Volunteering is about giving your time, energy and skills freely. 
  • Boost your career options - If you are thinking of a career change then volunteering is a perfect way to explore new fields.
  • New interests and hobbies - Finding new interests and hobbies through volunteering can be fun, relaxing and energizing.
  • New experiences - Volunteering is a wonderful way to get life experience.
  • Meeting a diverse range of people - Volunteering brings together a diverse range of people from all backgrounds and walks of life. Volunteering also offers an incredible networking opportunity.
  • Send a signal to your employer, teachers, friends and family - Volunteering reflects and supports a complete picture of you, and gives real examples of your commitment, dedication and interests. Show people what you are passionate about and maybe you will inspire them too!
  • Health benefits – Studies have established a strong relationship between volunteering and health: those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, greater functional ability, and lower rates of depression later in life than those who do not volunteer.


The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is happy to assist you in finding a perfect volunteer connection. Call 272-2087 or visit www.vccv.org to learn about potential opportunities.



Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Happy Holidays!



May brightness fill your holidays and the coming year! 

Thanks for supporting and strengthening the Cedar Valley 
through service, volunteerism and civic engagement.


Lauren, Jean and Anne




Tuesday, December 17, 2013

12 Days of Caring

These are simple service projects that can be done throughout the holiday season, in any order you wish, to spread the joy of giving and volunteering!



1st Secret Elf - Leave a special poem, a small gift, plant, or holiday story for a homebound neighbor, or someone in need.

2nd Caring Cookies - Make your favorite cookies for someone special in your life —a teacher, neighbor, relative or friend.

3rd Bird Extravaganza -Decorate a tree for the birds. Cover pinecones with peanut butter and dip them in birdseed. String popcorn and cranberries. Hang cut up apples and oranges on the tree.


4th Holiday Kits - Put together everything a child would need to make a present for a loved one. Contact a family or domestic abuse homeless shelter to distribute the kits.


5th Table Decorations - Make a centerpiece or placemats for a local senior center or deliver some to Meals on Wheels.

6th Caring Calendar - Interview an elderly neighbor or a relative and find out the important dates in their lives. Create a calendar with handmade pictures or photos and fill in special dates.


7th Hope Chest - Fill a shoebox with small gifts and a card for a homeless child or someone that will be spending the holidays in the hospital.


8th Kitty and Puppy Love - Bring cat and dog food, clean old towels and clean blankets to your local rescue shelter.

9th Soup to Share - Make a container of homemade soup and give to someone who is stressed or depressed so they know someone cares.

10th Deck the Halls - Decorate a shelter, senior center or homeless shelter. Find out which holiday they celebrate and decorate accordingly.


11th Fudge Delivery -Remember your garbage man, postal carrier, paper delivery person, etc. with some homemade fudge and a card.

12th Caring Family Meal - This can be for your own family, a relative, a neighbor or all of the above. Serve with love.





Tuesday, December 10, 2013

Be a Joy Maker 2013

Young people from the Boys and Girls Club of the Cedar Valley and area high schools rang bells for the Salvation Army Tuesday, December 3 as part of the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley’s participation in Share the Joy. Sponsored by Generation On, Share the Joy is a nationwide initiative celebrated from December 3 to December 20. As a result of the project, Hasbro donated 100 toys that were in turn given to the local Salvation Army to be part of their holiday toy shop. The experience was a wonderful opportunity for youth to give back to the community.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley offers over 190 local volunteer opportunities from 110 nonprofit agencies. Volunteer opportunities may also be accessed at www.vccv.org. Call 272-2087 to volunteer.





Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Holiday Volunteer Opportunities

The holidays are a terrific time of year to share your many talents while helping others. The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley has listed a number of great ways to get involved. Here are a few to consider:

The Salvation Army is looking for volunteers to assist as Bell Ringers. Opportunities exist Monday through Saturday from 9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. through December 24. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Lowell School currently needs individuals to adopt a family for the holidays. Wish lists will be provided for individuals and families. Gifts need to be wrapped and delivered to Lowell on December 19. Volunteers will also be needed on December 19th to unload gifts and bring into the school (12-4 p.m.) and to assist families when they pick up gifts from school (4-7 p.m.). Volunteers age 14 and over are welcome.

Red Kettle Counters are needed to assist the Salvation Army daily throughout the holiday bell ringing season on a daily basis Monday through Saturday, through December 24. Volunteers age 21 and over are welcome.

Drivers are needed to pick up holiday Bell Ringers at the Salvation Army and drop them off at bell ringing sites throughout the Cedar Valley during each of two daily shifts, through December 24. Volunteers age 16 and older will be driving the Salvation Army vans.

Holiday Decorating Volunteers are needed by NewAldaya Lifescapes on December 5 from 1:30 until 4 p.m. All decorating will be done on the interior. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Volunteers are needed to prepare the Salvation Army Holiday Toy Shop by unloading, sorting, and stocking shelves on December 3 through December 6 from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

On December 5, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley is having its annual “Fun with Frosty” event from 4:30 until 7:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed for set up and tear down and will be stationed at different areas throughout the Club. Some areas include: games in the gym, a holiday craft in the art room, bingo, holiday musical chairs in the teen center, and serving food to the kids in the cafeteria. This event is a great way to interact with children in the community and making a positive difference in their lives! Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Assist Brownie Girl Scouts in discovering the science around them and the scientist within at the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium on December 5 from 6:00 until 8:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Volunteers will assist Salvation Army staff in distributing holiday food boxes to individuals and families in need for the holiday season during various shifts throughout the day on December 9 from 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Volunteers are needed to assist clients as they pick up items from the Salvation Army Toy Shop by acting as a co-shopper, stocking shelves, and hauling out items during shifts available throughout the day from 9:00 a.m. - noon, 1:00 - 4:00 p.m., and 5:00 - 7:00 p.m. on December 10 through the 13. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Looking for a fun & exciting way to spend a Saturday morning? Assist with activities for children ages 3rd - 5th grade learn about science at the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium. Volunteers are needed from 9:30 until 11:30 a.m. on December 14. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

The Grout Museum District needs volunteers to assist staff with activities in regard to the printing press and an industry assembly line on December 18 from 10:00 a.m. until 1:00 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Waterloo Community Schools needs numerous volunteers to help at the Battle of Waterloo Wrestling Tournament by selling merchandise, providing hospitality, running errands, controlling various entrance points, and assisting with bracket postings on December 20 through 21, from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. at Young Arena. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

Volunteers are needed on December 20 from 10:30 a.m. until 1:30 p.m. at the Grout Museum District to teach mapping skills to third graders. Volunteers age 18 and over arewelcome.
  
Christmas Eve Dinner help is needed at NewAldaya Lifescapes to serve from 3:45 – 7 p.m. and receive a FREE Christmas Eve Dinner! Great opportunity for families and youth to help out too!

Assist children in discovering how people kept warm during the winter through the years. Children will explore both the Grout and the Sullivan Brothers Iowa Veterans Museum. Activities exist December 26 through 31 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Volunteer 2 hours or as many as 8 hours, one day or every day. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

A variety of volunteers are needed to help de-decorate the Mallard Point Retirement community for Christmas Season starting December 30 from 8:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Volunteers may come and go as they are available.

Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 272-2087 to get involved!