Resolving to volunteer in 2016!

If you are reviewing the laundry list of possible New Year’s resolutions, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley has the 2016 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 148 nonprofit agencies which not only welcome volunteers, but need them to fulfil their missions and budgets. The 2015 national value of one volunteer hour is $23.07 based on the 2014 analysis done by the Independent Sector. In Iowa, the average is $21.75.

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.

12 Days of Christmas!

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.

Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley via email or 319-272-2087 for addition volunteer ideas!

12 Ways to Pay It Forward During the Holiday Season

Donate toys. Donate a new, unopened toy to organizations such as Toys for Tots at KWWL TV. You can also take them to a local hospital or women’s shelter. Last year I brought a trunk full of toys to the hospital and they were so incredibly grateful to have items for the kids on Christmas morning.

Donate food. Give the gift of helping a family to have a hearty meal or two this holiday season by donating to the Northeast Iowa Food Bank for through a charitable organization. Also keep in mind that food banks still have a need in the new year when supplies are most likely to be depleted.

Pay off someone’s layaway. This can be done at the store or many times even over the phone. Simply call a retailer who does layaway and ask the customer service department how you can help pay off someone’s layaway to make their post-holiday season a lot less stressful.

Donate your time. Do not underestimate the value of your time. Serve meals at a soup kitchen. Help veterans and others get to their destination for the holidays. Help people with disabilities wrap gifts for their loved ones. Help your neighbors put up their lights. You can also start by calling a local organization or two to find out their needs during the holiday season.

Sponsor A Needy Family Contact EMBARC to help a refugee family become self-reliant. Project Connect connects adult refugee newcomers with native Iowan mentors with a focus on English tutoring and developing and achieving newcomer goals in the US.

Make a year-end charitable donation. Especially if you work for an organization that has a matching program. Let whatever amount that you can give get stretched further by your employer for an extra generous donation.

Purchase a gift that gives back. Think conscious consumerism and making purchases from brands that give back in some way, especially during the holiday season. You can choose from our gifts that give back holiday gift guide or select a gift of your choice. If you are not sure which companies are giving back, here is a list of Social Responsibility reports from well-known brands and retailers, so you can decide for yourself where to put your dollars.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. Remembering to keep it environmentally-friendly during the holidays benefits the earth, your bills, and future generations. Though the holiday season seems to be a time of wild abundance, there is a definite place for simplicity amidst the chaos. It can still be festive too! One easy example is using your kids’ drawings and artwork to make adorable wrapping paper for gifts. Here are 100 more ideas.

Donate a tree. If you need a gift idea for the person who has everything, or if you want to honor someone special in your life now or someone who has passed, consider this one. Each dollar donated plants a tree in one of America’s national forests. For more information, go to: http://arborday.org. 

Give what you can. Even if it is just paying for someone’s coffee at the drive-thru, one little act of kindness can make a huge difference to someone else. That person whose coffee you just paid for might be having a terrible day. Or perhaps that person might just spread the kindness onto others. Before you know it, that one cup of coffee could start an ongoing chain. Isn’t it worth paying for that one cup of coffee to remind someone else that there is kindness in the world?

Remember those who are working on the holidays. Police officers, firefighters, emergency medical responders and the like are working shifts while you are enjoying Christmas dinner or watching your children open their presents. Perhaps you and your family can bring over some baked goods, books or even just a card to show your appreciation.

Spread cheer! Even if you cannot give monetarily. Even if you cannot give with your time. Give what you can. Give a smile. Give a ‘thank you’. Give with your patience. Give with your heart.

Happy holidays!

Thanks to jessica@eatsleepbe.com!

Volunteers participated locally as a part of Family Volunteer Day!

Family Volunteer Day is a day of service that demonstrates and celebrates the power of families who volunteer together, supporting their neighborhoods, communities and the world.


The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley celebrated the power of families on Saturday, December 5 from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at 220 E. Fourth Street, Waterloo. Families had the opportunity to put together literacy kits for our community’s most recent residents, made warm fleece scarves for residents of shelters, crafted seasonal decorations for nursing homes, made cat toys for the Cedar Bend Humane Society, constructed bird feeders, and made place mats for meals on wheels recipients. The families were very engaged and discussed the value of days for families to volunteer together.


“As the need for service continues to grow, we work to bring families together to give back and make an impact on our local communities,” said Lauren Finke, the Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley. “On December 5 and throughout the year, we are seeing families using the power of service to make a real difference in our local communities.”


Family Volunteer Day is strategically held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving to “kick-off” the holiday season by giving and service. Unfortunately, due to extensive snowfall, the event was rescheduled for December 5. Family Volunteer Day is presented by generationOn and sponsored by Disney Friends for Change.


To secure additional volunteer opportunities, call the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at 319-272-2087. The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley offers numerous local volunteer opportunities from 145 nonprofit agencies. Volunteer opportunities may also be accessed at www.vccv.org.

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Spread the Joy ~ Volunteer!

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 will hold its Red Bucket Campaign through December 24 and need bell ringers at various locations throughout the Cedar Valley. Dates and shifts are available.

Do you enjoy Christmas? Would you be interested in playing Father Christmas for two Victorian themed events? The Grout Museum is in need of someone to portray Father Christmas on Wednesday, December 2nd from 11:00 to 11:30 a.m. at the Grout Museum - 503 South Street, Waterloo and on Saturday, December 5th from 11:30 a.m. to 12 noon at the Snowden House - 306 Washington Street, Waterloo.

The Grout Museum needs volunteers to assist with Wild Kratts Kids Club at the Bluedorn Science Imaginarium December 5 from 9:30 – 11:30 a.m. with children Kindergarten - 2nd Grade. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

Join in the holiday festivities and assist with a Victorian Christmas tea at the Snowden House on December 5 from 9:00 a.m. until 1 p.m. Assist registered attendees in decorating an ornament, creating a Christmas card, and making Christmas crackers. Assist the children when they meet Father Christmas and help serve a themed British low tea.

The Cedar Valley Jaycees are looking for volunteers who would like to help with their annual Gift of Giving event on Saturday, December 5 from 6:00 – 9:00 a.m. Volunteers age 18 and over will help children shop for family members.

Volunteers will be stationed at a table in Crossroads Mall (Dec 10 and 11) and College Square (Dec 12-24) during the mall hours of operation. These volunteers will wrap patrons' gifts in exchange for free will donations for the Northeast Iowa Food Bank. Numerous shifts are available for volunteers age 13 and over.

Each year the Joint Volunteers of the Arc hold their annual Holiday Cookie Walk, which benefits adults with disabilities served by both North Star and Exceptional Persons. This year it is on Saturday, December 12. Bakers are needed! Cookies and candy may be delivered Friday December 11.

The Grout Museum needs volunteers with activities for children ages 3rd - 5th grade spend the morning exploring the concepts behind one of the world's most popular game, Minecraft! They will explore all aspects of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) on December 12 from 9:30 a.m. until 11:30 p.m. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

Assist the Family & Children's Council wrap gifts on December 17 and 18. Shifts run from 10:30 a.m. until 8:00 p.m. at Crossroads Mall. Volunteers age 16 and over are welcome.

On December 17, the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Cedar Valley is having its annual “Fun with Frosty” event from 4:00 until 7:00 p.m. Volunteers are needed for set up and tear down and will be stationed at different areas throughout the Club. This event is a great way to interact with children in the community and making a positive difference in their lives! Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

On December 18 and 19, Waterloo West, Waterloo East and Waterloo Columbus High Schools, will host the “Battle of Waterloo”, a two-day, thirty-two team dual wrestling tournament. The tournament will be held at Young Arena. The Battle of Waterloo committee is seeking volunteers to assist with the tournament. Volunteer opportunities include: bracket posting and coping, ticket takers & visitor trackers, program sellers, runners, hospitality, gate / entry workers, team Check-in, and, volunteer check-in. Volunteers shifts are on Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. and Saturday, 3:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.

The Grout Museum District needs volunteers to assist staff with activities in regard to Discovery Days: For the Troops: The USO in Vietnam on December 26 and 28 - 31 from 9:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. Volunteers age 18 and over are welcome.

Contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley for more information at (319) 272-2087, email, or visit www.vccv.org.

Ways for families to get involved together

Are you looking for a new way to spend quality time with your family? Is there a cause one of your relatives cares about that you'd like to support? Would your family enjoy meeting new people in your community? Does it feel like your family's priorities are getting out of whack? If so, volunteering together as a family might be perfect for you.

What are the benefits of family volunteering?

When families volunteer together, communities and families benefit. Communities get more hands put on important projects, and family involvement often translates to dedicated, reliable attendance. Also, when one family volunteers, it can be a tremendous example to other families, fostering a sense of community responsibility and perhaps even mobilizing others to contribute their time and skills toward improving the community.

Meanwhile, families themselves get a whole slew of benefits from community service. Volunteering can draw family members closer together, forging new bonds through shared experiences that are outside the normal daily routines. Parents, children, and other relatives who volunteer together also learn more about each other while experiencing new activities. New friendships can be made and new interests may be awoken that can stay with the family for the long haul. At a basic level, volunteering as a family is a concrete way to apply and demonstrate shared values and beliefs while making a positive impact in the world around you.

Some common family volunteering opportunities

There are a number of common volunteer opportunities that lend themselves quite readily to family involvement. It's a good idea to convene a family meeting and discuss what areas you are all most interested in working with each other on. Day-long environmental clean-ups give you and your family a chance to enjoy the outdoors together while also doing something positive for the planet. Volunteering at a homeless shelter, a food bank, or a soup kitchen can not only help the needy in your community, but can also remind your family members how fortunate they are to have each other. If a member of your family is planning to participate in a walk-a-thon or another charity fundraising event, there may be openings to get the rest of the family involved (handing out water to racers or programs to attendees at a dinner ball, for instance).

Many schools, nonprofits, churches, and community groups offer countless opportunities for the whole family to volunteer together in a range of activities, from coaching sports or playing music to visiting the residents at a retirement home or assisting a toy drive. These local resources may also be able to assist you in coordinating an "adopt-a-family" relationship, in which your family helps a recently arrived immigrant, refugee, or less fortunate family to adjust to the ins and outs of life in your community.

Your family can also take the initiative and create your own volunteer activities: perhaps you can rake leaves from an elderly neighbor's lawn, or help a low-income family paint their house. While some volunteer positions may involve a longer commitment, many opportunities suitable for families are short-term or one-time events.

Define family as you see fit

One important thing to remember about family volunteering is that you and your loved ones should decide what you call your family. Volunteering with an organization that doesn't accept your definition of family will likely create a situation that's unacceptable for your family as well. And although there's nothing wrong with your whole nuclear or extended family coordinating a volunteer outing, other combinations are also possible and may be easier to manage—especially if your family wants to take on a recurring role in the community. For instance, a grandmother and grandson might join each other on a project that's all their own, or a group of cousins might team up once a month. Members of divorced families may find a renewed sense of continuity in their relationships by regularly volunteering together in some capacity.

There are volunteer opportunities out there to fit families of all shapes and sizes. And why limit it to one family? See about getting your neighbors and friends involved, too.

For more information on this event or to learn more about family-friendly volunteering contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at (319) 272-2087, email or visit www.vccv.org.

Thanks to the ‘idealist’ for this information.

Family and Volunteering – Get Involved on November 21!

It's easy to feel disconnected, as parents juggle work, school, kids, and numerous activities. But some simple things can bring a family closer — playing a game, going for a hike, or cooking a meal together.

One of the most satisfying, fun, and productive ways to unite is volunteering for community service projects. Volunteerism also sets a good example for your kids and helps the Cedar Valley.

So why should your family lend a helping hand?

It feels good. The joy and pride that come from helping others are important reasons to volunteer. When you commit your time and effort to an organization or a cause you feel strongly about, the feeling of fulfillment can be endless.

It strengthens your community. Organizations and agencies that use volunteers are providing important services at no cost to those who need them. When the Cedar Valley is doing well as a whole, its citizens are better off, too.

It can strengthen your family. Volunteerism is a great way for families to have fun and feel closer. Many people say they don't have the time to volunteer. Try reconsidering some of your free time as a family. You could select just one or two projects a year and make them a family tradition.

What Kids Can Learn From Volunteering

If volunteering begins at an early age, it can become part of kids' lives — something they might just expect and want to do.

It can teach them:

A sense of responsibility.
That one person can make a difference.
The benefit of sacrifice.
Tolerance.
Job skills. How to fill idle time wisely.

Take Action! Family Volunteer Day!

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley will celebrate the power of families on Saturday, November 21 from 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at 220 East 4^th Street, Waterloo.

Teach your children the importance of service and nurture the desire to give back to the community.

Families will have an opportunity to put together literacy kits for our community’s most recent residents, make warm fleece scarves for residents of shelters, craft seasonal decorations for nursing homes, make cat toys for the Cedar Bend Humane Society, construct bird feeders, and make place mats for meals on wheels recipients. Representatives from some community agencies will have displays featuring family friendly volunteering opportunities.

Join us for Family Volunteer Day of Service!

For more information on volunteering contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at (319) 272-2087, information@vccv.org, or visit www.vccv.org.

Gratitude is Good for You

Thanksgiving isn't the only time of year we should reflect and take stock of all the positive things in life. As it turns out, there is scientific proof that being grateful is good for you. Here are nine ways to integrate gratitude into your life.

1. Notice your day-to-day world from a point of gratitude and be amazed at all the goodness we take for granted.

2. Keep a gratitude journal. All it requires is noting one or more things you are grateful for on a daily basis. No fancy notebook, no computer program required.

3. If you identify something or someone with a negative trait, switch it in your mind to a positive trait.

4. Gratitude requires humility, which the dictionary defines as "modest and respectful." Explore where it fits in your life.

5. Give at least one compliment daily. It can be to a person or it can be asking someone to share your appreciation of something else.

6. When you find yourself in a bad situation ask: What can I learn? When I look back on this, without emotion, what will I be grateful for?

7. Vow to not complain, criticize, or gossip for 10 days. If you slip, rally your willpower and keep going. Notice the amount of energy you were spending on negative thoughts and actions.

8. Sound genuinely happy to hear from the people who call you on the phone. Whether the caller responds with surprise or delight, he’ll know you value speaking with him.

9. Become involved in a cause that is important to you. Donate money or time or talent. By joining in, you’ll gain greater appreciation for the organization, and it will appreciate you more, too.

According to Cicero, "Gratitude is not only the greatest of the virtues but the parent of all others." Take time to be grateful today!

Family Volunteer Day

Celebrate the Power of Families and Join us for Family Volunteer Day of Service
Saturday, November 21, 2015         
9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
220 E. 4^th Street
Waterloo
 
Teach your children the importance of service and nurture the desire to give back to the community.
 
Families will have an opportunity to put together literacy kits for our community’s most recent residents, make warm fleece scarves for residents of shelters, craft seasonal decorations for nursing homes, make cat toys for the Cedar Bend Humane Society, construct bird feeders, and make place mats for Meals on Wheels recipients. Representatives from community agencies will have displays featuring family-friendly volunteer opportunities.
 
For more information on this event or to learn more about family-friendly volunteering contact the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley at (319) 272-2087, email or visit www.vccv.org.

Make A Difference Day in Review

Over 100 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 24. These students participated in a Highway 20 roadside clean-up with Green Iowa AmeriCorps leading the group. In addition, a group of students collected trash in the College Hill neighborhood following last weekend’s homecoming festivities.

It’s so great to see students making an impact in the Cedar Valley!

Veteran’s Day, November 11: Plan to Get Involved

Veterans Day is a public holiday that is dedicated to honoring anyone who has served in the United States military. The holiday began as a day to remember the end of World War I and was declared a holiday by President Woodrow Wilson in 1919. Originally known as Armistice Day, the holiday became Veterans Day in 1954. Observation of the holiday through parades and meetings was envisioned.

Today, many Americans will observe the day by attending ceremonies and parades that are dedicated to honoring the troops for their service. These often allow veterans to speak about their time in the service and give Americans the opportunity to personally thank veterans for their sacrifice.

Veterans have ongoing needs. Some are volunteer opportunities and some are in-kind donations.

The VA Hospital in Iowa City has an ongoing need for a Van Driver to provide transportation to and from the Iowa City VA. Volunteers age 21 and over are needed once per week or as available from 6 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drivers need proof of insurance, a valid driver’s license, and require a government provided physical and background check.

In-kind donations are quality of life requests. The list below includes such items for Veterans in Iowa’s VA Centers.

Day Program (Out-patient):
Sponsor for morning donuts on Fridays only (program graduation day)
Bingo prizes – personal care items, fruit, candy bars, ball caps, phone cards, etc.
Food and Nutrition:
20” Color TV for Patient Education Bldg.

Nursing Home Care Unit/Palliative Care:
Coffee filters
(Family Room)
Stamps, Envelopes

Rehabilitation Unit:
Videotapes
Sweat pants and shirts (five each)
Stamps – NOT already on envelopes
Binoculars
Coffee Server – an insulated pump pot or nice carafe 
Psychiatric Unit: This is a locked psychiatric unit. They cannot leave to make purchases and many do not have access to money. Hangers (plastic) Postage stamps Money for socials (pizza, hot dogs, ice cream, etc.) Phone cards – 30 minutes each Squeeze tubes of lip balm – such as Vaseline DVD’s or VCR Movies (westerns, comedies)

Psychiatric Nursing Home Care: This is a locked psychiatric unit.
Money for special events (chili, ice cream socials, pizza parties, hot dog feeds, root beer floats, etc.)
Stamps – NOT already on envelopes
Phone cards – 30 minutes
Psychiatric/Domiciliary:
Postage Stamps – NOT already on envelopes
5 Movie passes to area theaters – one time a month
$50.00 Money for lunch outings – one time a month
$60.00
Plastic hangers – this is ongoing need due to patient turnover on this unit. Patients do not give these back when they leave.
Socks
Table Games – Inexpensive games (many times these games lose their Pieces over time and need to be replaced) Yahtzee, Monopoly, Cribbage Boards, UNO, Scrabble, Chess, etc.
Crossword or Word Find book
Phone Cards – 30 minute Bldg.

Nursing Home Care Unit: Money for chili, ice cream socials, pizza parties, hot dog feeds, special events
Stamps
Phone Cards

Nursing Home Care Unit: Sweatshirts – large and XL – zipper kind – please no pullovers T-shirts
large Socks, large in the foot – prefer crew style

Recreation Service: Computer Software for patient use – can be bought at Best Buy or Comp USA
Print Artist Deluxe 2003 (29.99)
Maintenance on Bird Aviaries
NHCU - $400.00 a quarter)
6 Packages of Photo paper – 4x6 Glossy
Phone cards
Money donated to cater meals during special occasions
CD players for each unit
CD’s for music libraries on each unit
Money donated for Women Veterans Group “Liberty Belles” for supplies,
Admission prices, and lunches.

Music Therapy:
50+ - Blank audio cassette tapes (90 minutes long-given to vets to record)
50+ - Blank audio cassette tapes (110 minutes long-given to vets to record) (Sony or TDK brand)
50+ - Blank audio cassette tapes (120 minutes long-given to vets to record) (Sony or TDK brand)
50+ - Blank CDs for recording music from personal stock or from Library for veterans to use in music clinic (Memorex or Maxell) MUST BE CDR AND SAY FOR “DIGITAL AUDIO”
6-Nice Sony headphones for use at stationery stereo systems in music clinic Guitar strings – both nylon and steel – preferably light gauge
Guitar picks – thin and medium
Small radios that have nature sounds on them
Any type of hat, costume, funny shirts, and props that could be used for skits.
Monetary donations to the Creative Arts Account on station – used for local Creative Arts shows, props, costumes, music, treats, and help with travel for veterans to the festival each year.
Monetary donations to music in general for buying supplies, CDs, instruments, or special treat for veterans in music groups or in music clinic.
Walkman Heavy duty stapler AA Batteries
CD Burner
DVD Player (Sony) Community Support

Outpatients on limited income: These items are used by patients who are moving into the Knoxville area to continue outpatient treatment at the VA. Many of these patients are on a limited income. Community Support would be happy to take GOOD USED ITEMS!!
Postage Stamps
Garbage bags
Alarm Clocks
Gloves,
Scarves, and winter gloves in large or XL
Pillows – bed
Can openers - handheld
Billfolds
Blankets
Canned food items
Full and queen sheet sets – If used, PLEASE mark with size!
Bath towels and wash rags
Dish towels, dish rags
Phone cards – 60 minute Full size – no trial size please –
Shampoo,
Shaving Cream,
Deodorant,
Aftershave
Razors
Laundry Soap – powdered
Toilet Paper
Socks

“On this Veterans Day, let us remember the service of our veterans, and let us renew our national promise to fulfill our sacred obligations to our veterans and their families who have sacrificed so much so that we can live free”.

Dan Lipinski

Find a way to put action behind our gratitude. The needs of our veterans are enormous.

Make A Difference Day With Green Iowa AmeriCorp

Millions of volunteers will unite to improve the lives of others in their communities on Make A Difference Day. The Day, October 24, is an annual event that takes place on the fourth Saturday of every October. The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley is hosting an upcoming event to celebrate Make A Difference Day:

 
Students at the University of Northern Iowa will partner with the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley and Green Iowa AmeriCorps to clean the Cedar Valley. Groups of students will participate in roadside clean-ups throughout Black Hawk County on Saturday, October 24 from 10:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. Registration is open to all UNI students, faculty and staff here. 

Green Iowa AmeriCorps is coordinated by the University of Northern Iowa’s Center for Energy & Environmental Education providing residential energy audit services to under-served communities across Iowa, weatherization services with free materials for low-income, elderly, veterans and persons with disabilities, and energy-related education programs to engage communities in volunteer generation. The organization was founded in 2009 to address conservation and sustainable usage of energy resources in several Iowa communities as they struggled to rebuild from the devastating floods of 2008. Since the start of the flood recovery, Green Iowa AmeriCorps has been an active community partner. Other involvement in the community includes deconstruction projects, creating energy educational programs for all ages, and assisting in the development of energy-related community events. With the addition this year of the new site in Fairfield, Green Iowa AmeriCorps now have six sites spread throughout Iowa in Black Hawk, Dubuque, Jefferson, Linn, Polk, and Winneshiek counties.

Visit www.vccv.org to learn about these opportunities. For more information regarding Make A Difference Day opportunities, call 319-272-2087 or email the VCCV.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

The Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley serves 144 member agencies with more than 130 volunteer opportunities throughout Waterloo, Cedar Falls and the Cedar Valley.
 
October 7 - 10
Annual Halloween Hikes
Hartman Reserve Nature Center
 
October 10
Spooks, Spokes, & Sneakers
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa
 
October 24
Water Quality Monitoring
Black Hawk Soil and Water Conservation District
 
Ongoing
 
Domestic Violence Victim Advocate
Waypoint Services
 
Community Service Volunteer
Black Hawk County – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
 
Refugee Driver
Catholic Charities Archdiocese of Dubuque
 
Mobile Produce Assistant
Waterloo Mobile Produce
 
Hospice Volunteer
UnityPoint Hospice
 
Program Internship
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Iowa
 
Reading Buddies
Waterloo Community Schools
 
Volunteer Baker
Country View 

Driver 
Northeast Iowa Food Bank
 
Barn Assistant
Aspire Therapeutic Riding Program
 
Office Assistant
Care Initiatives Hospice
 
To view a full list of available volunteer opportunities, visit www.vccv.org.