Global Youth Service Day – April 17

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley will lead young people on Global Youth Service Day, an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning. Established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is the largest service event in the world, and the only day of service dedicated to youth. This year GYSD will be on April 17.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley has planned an activity to contribute to the well-being of youth in the community by hosting a cleanup of the Walnut Neighborhood. Youth from the Boys and Girls Club will provide the youth-power. The event will run from 4:00 – 5:45 p.m. on April 17. Refreshments will be served.

Many communities use Global Youth Service Day as a component of youth service. “Needs in our community are particularly great right now. Addressing the challenge of mobilizing youth and resources to solve community problems will take a sustained effort, and we hope many who are serving on April 17th will make an ongoing commitment to serve throughout the year,” said Jean Seeland, Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley Youth Program Coordinator.

The VCCV Youth Action Council is also planning a park cleanup on Sunday, April 19^th. Council members will invite friends and will meet in the afternoon to pick up trash and then have a picnic to celebrate volunteerism.

Global Youth Service Day is held during National Volunteer Week, April 12 - 18. Through programs such as this, volunteers are recognized for the tremendous impact they are making on our country's most critical challenges year-round.

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley works to promote and support effective volunteerism and to serve as the resource and coordination center for volunteers and community partnerships.

Please contact Jean Seeland at the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley to express interest in participating or to secure additional opportunities by calling 319-272-2087 or emailing jean_seeland@vccv.org. Volunteer opportunities may also be accessed at www.vccv.org.