Resolving to volunteer in 2018!

If you are reviewing the laundry list of possible New Year’s resolutions, the Volunteer Center of Cedar Valley has the 2018 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 160 nonprofit agencies which not only welcome volunteers but need them to fulfill their missions and budgets. The 2017 national value of one volunteer hour is $24.14 based on the 2016 analysis done by the Independent Sector. In Iowa, the average is $22.95.

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 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 Salvation Army for their Toy Shop!

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. Also, keep in mind that food banks still have a need in the new year when supplies are more 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 on to 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 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!

12 Days of Service!

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!

You're Never Too Young to Give Back: Getting Kids to Volunteer

Even Kindergartners Can Experience the Good Feeling of Helping Others

Inspiring your little ones to give back to the community can take a little negotiation, but the result is well worth it. Volunteering teaches kids ownership and can boost confidence. And it's a great way to spend family time.

First and foremost, ask your kids where their interests lie. Little ones as young as four and five years old may surprise you with their suggestions. Encouraging them to contribute to the conversation gives them a sense of pride and belonging.

Generate a list of potential volunteer opportunities and then narrow them down as a family. If you're stuck on where to give back, here are a few suggestions:

·     Toy and clothing drive. This volunteer opportunity lets you and your neighbors get rid of some clutter while a child in need gets a gently used toy or item of clothing. It may take a little convincing to get your kids to give up their things, so start by asking them to part with just one item they don't use any more.

·     Foodbank or soup kitchen. Gather canned and boxed food from neighbors for your local food bank, or volunteer to serve a meal at a nearby soup kitchen or church. Both activities are great ways for your family to get out and meet new people while volunteering.

·     Senior citizen center. Who doesn't love playing a board game? Older children can put their Monopoly or chess skills to work. They may even learn a trick or two from the older adults.

·     Library. Teens can volunteer to tutor or read books to younger children. This is a great confidence builder and helps foster something every child could use a bit more of, Patience.

·     Community garden. In spring and summer, this is a fantastic way to get kids off the couch and outside. It's a task that even little ones can participate in. As a bonus, they have an excuse to get their hands dirty.

·     Organize something at school. Stewardship doesn't just have to be in the home. Encourage your child to get the whole class or even the whole school involved in giving back. Activities like a coat drive, mitten tree or even a penny drive for a local charity are simple, effective ways kids can contribute as a part of a larger group.

As youth mature into their teens, so does their interest in volunteerism. Many of the nation’s volunteers are young people. More than half (55 percent) of teenagers in the United States report that they participate in volunteer activities; the teen volunteering rate is nearly twice the adult volunteering rate with 1.3 billion hours of community service each year. Most youth volunteers do so out of selflessness and an interest in making a difference in the lives of others. Only five percent of students reportedly volunteered because of a school requirement.

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, youth who volunteer are more likely to feel connected to their communities, do better in school, and are less likely to engage in risky behavior. Empowerment helps youth believe they can make a difference, in addition to an increase in self-worth, identity, moral and ethical values. Volunteering promotes citizenship as youth obtain increased community awareness. Academic skills improve with youth recognizing an increased relevance of subject, developing critical thinking skills. In addition, youth develop more positive work orientation attitudes and skills are 19 percent more likely to graduate from college than those who did not.

Remember, kids, learn by example. If you want them to be good citizens, be one yourself.

Have a Giving Tree

A giving tree is a more charitable version of the Christmas tree you might already have in your office.

Instead of merely serving as a festive decoration, a giving tree enables employees to choose a charity they’d like to donate to. To set up a giving tree in your office, attach tags in place of ornaments, each representing a charity or organization in need. Employees can select a tag from the tree and fill the stated need.

While you can choose to represent a variety of different charities, selecting one cause that all employees can get involved with can be a good way to bring the office together.

Whether you choose to collectively raise money for one cause or donate to a variety of charities, you can keep track of how much you’ve raised and announce it to the whole office at the end of the year, so people can have a moment to feel proud of their contribution.

Alternatively, you can always have your employees purchase physical items from a local charity’s wish list, and then place them under the tree as gifts. A group of colleagues might even enjoy dropping these items off together.

Making the Biggest Impact on #Giving Tuesday 2017

#Giving Tuesday is just a week away. How will you make an impact on others this year?

One of the most special times of the year is #Giving Tuesday. This is a day when people come together all over the world in an effort to help others through volunteerism, financial gifts, and telling their social communities about the causes they are passionate about. Let’s not forget that volunteerism and fundraising are important year-round but on #GivingTuesday the message of hope and community is accelerated on a national scale. In 2015, a total of 98 countries participated in #Giving Tuesday raising an estimated 177 million online dollars. It is truly amazing what people can do when they come together for the greater good.  #Giving Tuesday is always the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. The date of this event in 2017 is November 28. How are you going to make the biggest impact on #Giving Tuesday 2017? Here are a few ways to get involved.

Give the Gift of Time

Sometimes the greatest gift that you can provide is your time. Nonprofit organizations all around the world are looking for volunteers to help them carry out their mission. Why not commit to volunteerism to play your part in #Giving Tuesday? The act of volunteerism has been shown to provide a volunteer with many health-related benefits including decreased stress, improved mood, and a sense of greater good. Becoming a volunteer and providing service is a great way to have an impact on yourself while having an impact on others too.

Donate to an Organization and Mission that You Believe In

Nonprofit organizations also rely heavily on financial contributions from donors and fundraising campaigns. Providing an organization with a financial gift or a pledge on #Giving Tuesday is an excellent way to help that organization achieve their goals. Finding a nonprofit that is aligned with your personal values and is working towards making an impact on an issue you are passionate about does not need to be challenging. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when choosing where to make a financial contribution on #GivingTuesday or any other time of the year:

·       Does the nonprofit provide data on the progress it has made towards its goals?  How does the organization measure success?

·       Do the nonprofit’s goals align with your personal goals and values?

·       Does the organization offer additional opportunities for you to become involved outside of financial commitments?

·       Is the organization going to make a positive impact on your local community?

·       Have you checked the legitimacy of the organizations you are considering?

·       Are you trusting your instincts and listening to your heart during the identification process?

Influence Others to Become Involved in Giving

One of the best ways that you can help out during #Giving Tuesday is by letting others know about your favorite nonprofit or cause based initiative. In 2015, #Giving Tuesday sparked 2.4 Million social media engagements. The action of letting others know about nonprofit initiatives is not challenging. All you need to do is like and share your favorite nonprofit’s campaign content. Most of us have access to communities that have not been touched by a specific nonprofits call-to-action. Help the organization you stand behind reach that audience and broadcast their mission to the world.

Make a Commitment to Donate Regularly

#Giving Tuesday is a great time of the year to plan your giving contributions for 2018. As mentioned previously in the post these contributions could be your time, financial resources, commitment to spreading the word or a combination of all of them. Use #Giving Tuesday as a motivator for making contributions year-round to the greater good.

Takeaways

#Giving Tuesday is quickly approaching and there are ways that we can all have an impact on the success of the initiative. There are plenty of options to provide your time, give a financial contribution, and share a nonprofits campaign with your direct community. Let’s make #Giving Tuesday 2017 one for the record books and touch as many lives as possible this year.

Thanks to Eric Burger

Family and Volunteering – Get Involved on November 18!

It's easy to feel disconnected, as parent’s 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 18 from 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. at the Waterloo Center for the Arts.

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

Families will have an opportunity to participate in 6 stations set up for families to make service projects for agencies in the community. 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 for Our Veterans

President Kennedy asked, “Ask not what your country can do for you, but what you can do for your country”. Our brave and selfless men and women in uniform who serve our country embody this great and noble thought with courage and strength that deserve our highest gratitude — not just on Veterans Day but each and every day of our lives.

We can never thank this elite group of Americans enough for their service to our great nation and to each and every American who enjoys the freedoms and liberties which define us as a person. It has been said that freedom is never free; how can we not be grateful and thankful to the men and women who pay the price of spending precious time away from their families, who endure the endless dangers of warfare?

It is also important to remember that for most of us these are men and women who we have never met or will ever know, and yet they fight for us to give us the rights and privileges that not everyone around the world can claim they have in their lives. And the irony of it all is that if these brave souls return alive, it isn’t as if they are asking anyone for anything in return! Their love for this country and fellow Americans transcends wanting such accolades; how can we not be eternally grateful for such unselfishness?

Each and every man and woman who serves is an inspiration of dedication and bravery which commands our unwavering respect, gratitude and complete appreciation. Let us also remember the proud patriots who did not return home. That dedication of a lifetime defines true patriotism. 

These brave souls have given not only their time, effort, and commitment, and — most importantly — their very lives for the protection and preservation of the ideals and values of this great country. 

When trying to put into words our gratitude for all that these brave souls encounter risk and face, we come up short. It is imperative that we acknowledge such service in protecting and defending our freedoms and our democratic values which define our way of life. America would not be considered the greatest country in the world if we did not have these great people defending it. 

Every veteran makes the ultimate commitment to the pinnacle of patriotism and courage.

Thank you, each and every one of you, for your years of service. The sacrifices you have made for our country, on and off the battlefield, all of which are immeasurable. America is forever blessed for the presence of our veterans, who believe liberty is always worth fighting for. Men and women who believe in duty, honor and country will always be an inspiration. Your service makes the world a better place, keeps our nation a strong beacon of hope in freedom and democracy. 

Thanks to all of you, who put on the uniform expecting nothing in return. The selfless act of serving our country deserves the highest level of respect and gratitude we have to offer. What is there to say other than that we are truly grateful! It is men and women like you that make all of us proud to be Americans.

Credit: The Huffington Post

8 Ways to Express Appreciation on Veterans Day

Veterans Day is an important day for showing appreciation to members of our military, past and present. If you're looking for an appropriate way to honor a veteran in your life, or would like to contribute in a way that's meaningful for veterans everywhere, here's a list of suggestions to start you off.

1. Show Up
Attend a Veterans Day event in your area -- not just a picnic with friends but an honest-to-goodness parade or service for veterans. Roy Rogers said, "We can't all be heroes; someone has to sit on the curb and clap as they go by." Veterans Day is a great opportunity to do just that.

2. Donate
There are a plethora of wonderful organizations who offer all manner of support, services and appreciation for our service members. To get a few ideas for donations, you can check out this page.

3. Fly a flag - correctly
Veterans Day is a great opportunity to fly the flag! Just make sure you're observing the proper rules for display. Not sure exactly what those are? Check out Military.com's guide to the flag.

4. Ask someone about their service
It seems like we all know someone who has served and Veterans Day is a great time to ask them about their service. Some questions to get started are: What did you do in the military? How long did you serve? What was your favorite moment in all your time in the service? Did anyone else in your family serve? Why did you choose to go into the service branch you did? Do not ask if they've killed anyone and should your veteran be a combat vet who is either unwilling to share or plainly states what they went through, be supportive without being intrusive. Sometimes you don't have to say anything, just listen and give them your full attention.

5. Write
If you know a veteran, write a simple postcard or e-card that recognizes them on Veterans Day. If you don't know a veteran, look up the closest military installation and send one there. Small acts of recognizing someone's service, even anonymously, are appreciated.

6. Don't Confuse Veterans Day with Memorial Day
Veterans Day is a time to thank those who are serving or have served and are still with us. Memorial Day is to reflect and remember those who lost their lives in service to their country. Confusing the two or combining the two diminishes the importance of both.

7. Visit a VA Hospital
Find out what the policies are at your nearest VA hospital for interacting with patients or volunteering, and spend the day with a veteran. Many VA facilities will have events on Veterans Day or a special lunch you can help prepare. Even if you never interact with a veteran, helping at a facility is a way to give back.

8. Get Outdoors with a Veteran

Invite a veteran or a military family to explore a national park -- admission is free for all visitors on Veterans Day. Being outside helps improve physical and mental health, boosts emotional well-being, and is a great way to celebrate the day with a veteran.

We thank Military.com for this article.

Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival

Families are invited to attend the Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival on Tuesday, November 7 from 4:00 to 7:30 PM at the Five Sullivan Brothers Convention Center in Waterloo. The festival is free and open to the public.

The goals of the festival are to promote, inspire and engage youth in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) activities and to introduce children and parents to STEM careers.

Organizations will present exhibits and hands-on activities for kids, pre-K through 12 and their families. Attendees can drive robots, conduct amazing science experiments, and much more! In addition, the festival showcases STEM programs in local schools and offers interactive specialty shows throughout the evening.

The Cedar Valley Family STEM Festival is a community-wide partnership led by the Northeast Region of the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at the University of Northern Iowa, Waterloo Community Schools, Cedar Falls Community School District, Cedar Valley Catholic Schools, Central Rivers AEA, Black Hawk County Extension and Outreach, Hawkeye Community College, University of Northern Iowa, John Deere, Grout Museum District, Society of Women Engineers-Cedar Valley, Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers and Volunteer Center of the Cedar Valley. To learn more, visit our website at neiowastem.com.

Make A Difference Day

On one day each year, we want to inspire the nation to make a difference. Make A Difference Day, October 28, is one of the largest annual single-days of service nationwide. No matter who you are or where you’re from, everyone has the power to do something that improves the life of another. Whether it’s starting a project that helps one person, or working on one that benefits a whole community, every contribution makes a difference. Volunteers will unite with a common mission — to improve the lives of others in its 25th year. 

Of course, the VCCV will assist all volunteers, from one person to a group of volunteers, in finding appropriate matches with area non-profits. Visit www.vccv.org to learn about these opportunities. For more information regarding Make A Difference Day opportunities, call 319-272-2087 or email information@vccv.org.

Making Well-Intentioned Donations: Avoid The 'Second Disaster”

I need to make a statement. I want to say it as kindly and gently as possible, but this message really needs to get out there. It’s important. Please read this with as much understanding as you can, because it is meant with care and recognition.

It is brilliantly apparent that people are thinking about Texas and Florida and want to help figure this thing out. People are doing anything they can, and that has brought profound joy to those in need. Texans have received love, encouragement, and offers of assistance from all around the world which shows us the true beauty that can still be found. People can be astoundingly generous and loving when they want to be!

Having said that, it’s time to share the hard truth. Take a step back and consider what these people really need right now. Some of the items that are being sent are the wrong donations. 

Right now, and in the weeks to follow, a second disaster is occurring in the Houston area. Thousands of tons of donated items are arriving in Texas. According to Houston resident Angela Griffin much of this consists of items such as Christmas sweaters, heavy winter coats, lingerie, stained undergarments, and prom dresses. These well intended donations end up in huge piles and hinder the relief efforts. Texans do not need coats and sweaters in Houston right now – they need fans and bug spray. It’s 90 degrees and 99% humidity. Nobody needs lingerie right now as they shovel mud, scrub walls, and sort through their homes filled with beloved items that are now refuse. Rather than used undergarments, consider fresh, new underwear. They are a luxury.

If the items that donors have are all they have to give, consider selling them and donating the proceeds. No cash donation is too small. Cash is what is truly needed. There are many ongoing expenses related to recovery. Gift cards are also a great option.

What is the Second Disaster? The flood of unwanted donations, despite repeated requests for cash. Too much of the clothing ends up in piles that take up much needed space in a shelter or disaster area. Much, if not most, will be bailed and moved to already overflowing land-fills or as was the case with Hurricane Katrina sent off to another area or even sent off to sea. 

There will be a time for clothing and household donations but it will be way down the road.

Disaster response worker Rebecca Gustafson says that most people want to donate something that is theirs: "Money sometimes doesn't feel personal enough for people. They don't feel enough of their heart and soul is in that donation, that check that they would send. The reality is, it's one of the most compassionate things that people can do."

According to FEMA here’s what is needed:

Cash is the most efficient method of donating. Cash offers voluntary agencies the most flexibility in obtaining the most-needed resources and pumps money into the local economy to help businesses recover. 

Donate through a trusted organization. At the national level, many voluntary-, faith- and community-based organizations are active in disasters, and are trusted ways to donate to disaster survivors. In addition to the national members, each state has its own list of voluntary organizations active in disasters. If you’d like to donate or volunteer to assist those affected by disaster, these organizations are the best place to start.

Affiliate with existing non-profit organizations before coming to the disaster area. Do not self-deploy. Immediately following a disaster, a community can become easily overwhelmed by the amount of generous people who want to help. Contacting and affiliating with an established organization will help to ensure that you are appropriately trained to respond in the most effective way.

Be patient. Recovery lasts a lot longer than the media attention. There will be volunteer needs for many months, often years, after the disaster - especially when the community enters the long-term recovery period.
 
People are generous. Texas, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Gulf States can use all the good intentions we can muster. Just think carefully before sharing anything more than cash at this time.