Make A Difference Day in Review

Nearly 60 students from the University of Northern Iowa took part in Make A Difference Day, the nation’s largest day of service annually, on Saturday, October 25. These students participated in a College Hill clean-up, putting together solar car kits for educational resources, made sock monkeys for youth who take part in community organizations, and tied fleece blankets for new families moving into Habitat for Humanity homes.

Call (319) 272-2087 or email to learn more about volunteerism.

Gratitude and Random Acts of Kindness

Scientific studies reveal a strong link between gratitude and random acts of kindness and overall good health, including stress reduction, inner peace and happiness. That evidence is supported by examples from the life of stress relief expert Lauren E. Miller.

Having a grateful spirit in the midst of any life challenge creates a lighthearted response to the events before you. This is an instant stress reliever. You are then able to connect to your inner voice of inspiration, which speaks to the importance of an attitude of gratitude, along with a spirit of love and kindness to those around you," she said.

"When you are grateful and practicing random acts of kindness in your life, you end up feeling safe and connected to that which is good and true in this world and the result is inner calm, clarity of thinking and a heart full of love."

According to scientific studies, some of the physiological benefits to this experience include:

• Increased immune system
• Improved Cognitive Performance
• Increase in energy
• Lower heart rate
• Balanced cortisol levels which result in less internal stress
• More likely to live a longer and more satisfied life
• Laughter and inner joy resulting in decreased stress hormones; lower blood pressure; diminished pain
  
  

Knowing this, Lauren recommends filling every day of the year with thanksgiving and kindness. Kindness can come in many ways. 

Here are a few ideas. Put them into practice or create your own:

1.      Send someone a hand written note of thanks.

2.      Make a card at home and send it to a friend for no reason.

3.      Buy a lottery ticket for a stranger.

4.      Put some coins in someone else’s parking meter.

5.      Buy a coffee for the person behind you in line.

6.      Shovel you neighbor’s sidewalk.

7.      Walk your friend’s dog.

8.      Give a compliment about your waiter / waitress to his / her manager.

9.      Send someone a small gift anonymously.

10.   Stop and help someone replace their flat tire.

11.   Let someone jump the queue at the bank.

12.   Pay for the drinks on the next table at a café.

13.   Treat a friend to the movies for no reason.

14.   Give a huge tip to someone when they least expect it.

15.   Hold the elevator door open for someone rushing to get in.

16.   Give up your seat for someone, not just an elderly person.

17.   Write notes of appreciation at least once a week.

18.   Talk to a homeless person.

19.   Pick up some trash which would otherwise be lying around.

20.   Compliment a work colleague for their excellence.

21.   Give another driver your parking spot.

22.   Help an elderly neighbor carry the trash out.

23.   Tell all your family members how much your appreciate them.

24.   Send a thank you note to a person who has helped you in the past.

25.   Smile a lot. 

Call (319) 272-2087 or email to learn more about kindness activities.

In the Spotlight – Cedar Valley Friends of the Family

Cedar Valley Friends of the Family provides safe, confidential services to those affected by homelessness, domestic violence, and sexual assault through providing basic needs, housing assistance, and crisis counseling for 14 counties in NE Iowa. CVFF provides prevention education and awareness to the community to create a society free of violence and homelessness.

Volunteer opportunities include helping our shelter clients who have dogs and are leaving domestic violence situations. Fostering for Hope is a program designed to help shelter clients find temporary homes for their dogs through foster families until they are set up with new housing. Volunteers also assist with the Gratis Depot, a facility for storage and donated household items for those heading out on their own and setting up a household.

Call (319) 272-2087, email, or visit www.vccv.org to get involved at Cedar Valley Friends of the Family. 

October One Time Volunteer Opportunities

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley serves 131 member agencies with approximately 200 volunteer opportunities throughout Waterloo, Cedar Falls and the Cedar Valley.

October 8, 15, 29
Museum School Assistant Wednesdays

Grout Museum District

October 11 & 25

Saturday Morning Science Club

Grout Museum District

October 7, 9, 13, 14, 16, 23, 21, 23, 27, 28 & 30
Fall Riding Lessons
ASPIRE Therapeutic Riding Program

October 7

Military & Veterans Resource Fair

Grout Museum District

October 8, 9, & 10

Halloween Hikes
Hartman Reserve Nature Center

October 10

Game Show Night
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley

October 11, 17, 18, 19, 24, 25 & 26

Halloween Hay Ride

Waterhawks Ski Team

October 15

Annual Kids Night Out

Boys & Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley

October 17, 18, 24, 25 & 26

Heart of Darkness Haunted House

Big Brother Big Sisters

October 18

Strolling with the Spirits
Grout Museum District

October 24

Halloween Open House

Aspire TRP

October 27

Highway 20 Clean Up

Green Iowa AmericaCorps – IA – Cedar Falls

Call (319) 272-2087, email, or visit www.vccv.org to view a full list of available volunteer opportunities.