Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau

Enjoy a "staycation" by becoming a tourist inside or near your own home. Often people fail to take advantage of resources in their own community. The Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau can be a wealth of information for local attractions and activities. This featured agency blog was submitted by Vicki Bailey, Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau.

“To foster, promote, and service our community as a quality destination for visitors,” thus is the mission for the Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau. Our volunteers encompass everything that statement declares. From welcoming students and their parents to the University of Northern Iowa to serving on our board of directors, volunteers are our ambassadors for the community promoting area attractions, restaurants, hotels and shopping to visitors.
 

Volunteers for the Cedar Falls Tourism & Visitors Bureau have great pride in our community, enjoy visiting with people and are able to give directions, as many people that stop in the center are seeking directions. In addition to volunteering at the Visitor Center other opportunities are available, such as opening/closing the Behrens Rapp Station and assisting at information tables for events like the Hawkeye Farm Show; sporting events in the UNI-Dome, and the Iowa State Trap Shoot.

The estimated value of volunteer time for 2013 was $22.50 per hour. Take that times the volunteer hours in 2013 of 3,971 and the savings was $89,347.50. (Monetary rate found at www.independentsector.org/volunteer_time.

To find out more about volunteer opportunities with the Cedar Falls Tourism and Visitors Bureau, contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at (319) 272-2087 or email information@vccv.org. For a complete listing of all available volunteer opportunities, check out www.vccv.org.

Travel Volunteerism

Quite often when people think about travel they consider it within the context of their lives. Thoughts go to family vacations, a visit to the lake or mountain cabin, a cruise, or travel abroad.

An alternative often overlooked is a volunteer vacation. This type of vacation may take several forms – a church mission trip, a volunteer exchange abroad, or a service vacation in the United States.

There may be limited expenses or more costly alternatives. Listed below are several options that have been reviewed by Travel & Leisure Magazine, and have been found to be reliable and ethical.

• Global Volunteers (800/487-1074); www.globalvolunteers.org; which has 25 programs across the U.S.A.

• The Sierra Club (415/977-5522); www.sierraclub.org/outings

• Global Citizens Network (800/644-9292); www.globalcitizens.org

• Heifer International (800/422-0474); www.heifer.org

• Colorado Trail Foundation (303/384-3729, ext. 113); www.coloradotrail.org

• Cross-Cultural Solutions (800/380-4777); www.crossculturalsolutions.com

• Habitat for Humanity Global Village (800/HABITAT); www.habitat.org

• Childreach (800/556-7918); www.childreach.org

It is not uncommon to have local nonprofit agencies and individuals in need of volunteers within the Cedar Valley. To secure volunteer opportunities call the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 272-2087 or email information@vccv.org. Volunteer opportunities may also be accessed at www.vccv.org.

June one-time volunteer opportunities

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley serves 124 member agencies with approximately 200 volunteer opportunities throughout Waterloo, Cedar Falls and the Cedar Valley.

June 10, 12, 16, 17, 19, 23, 24, 26 & 30

Summer Riding Program

ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program

June 14, 21 & 28

Building Homes

Iowa Habitat for Humanity

June 11, 18 & 25

English Conversation Partners

The Culture & Intensive English Program at the University of Northern Iowa

June 12, 13, 14 & 15

My Waterloo Days Volunteers 

My Waterloo Days

June 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20 & 21

2014 Waterloo/Cedar Falls Trail Count 

The Iowa Northland Regional Council of Governments

June 29
Sturgis Falls Half Marathon Course Volunteer
Sturgis Falls Half Marathon

To view a full list of available volunteer opportunities, visit www.vccv.org.

Service Stay-cation

Are your friends going to exciting places for summer vacation while you have to stay home?  Are you depressed that you have no money for that plane ticket for an exotic vacation?  Do you think summer will be boring?

Never fear, we have a solution to cheer you up and make this summer memorable. This summer you have an opportunity to build self-esteem, develop problem solving skills, gain experience as you build a resume, and learn the value of helping others.

Volunteer in the Cedar Valley!

Some possibilities include:

•        Teach games, dances, or sports to youth at the Boys and Girls Club
•        Entertain residents at a local nursing home or at Country View
•        Cook and serve a meal at the Salvation Army or the Catholic Worker
         House
•        Stock shelves at the Northeast Iowa Food Bank
•        Clean up litter in your neighborhood
•        Make play-dough and take it to a local pre-school
•        Do data entry or type for a local non-profit

These are but a few suggestions. To secure volunteer opportunities call the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 272-2087 or email information@vccv.org. Volunteer opportunities may also be accessed at www.vccv.org.

Remember, a sun tan will fade quickly. Your contribution to making the community a better place will last a long time in the hearts and mind of those you help.