So this weekend marks another Global Youth Service Day, which sounds kinda weird because the "day" actually runs from April 25th through the 27th.  Regardless, this is a great weekend to get out and help someone!

Kudos and many props to the students of Spring Valley Academy   These amazing high school students are banding together to help out eight different nonprofit organizations later today.  Some of the volunteers will make and serve meals to the working poor and homeless, while others will organize a fun-filled field day for pre-school students from low-income families.  Another group will be out working side by side with refugees from several countries to create plant flowers and make crafts.  Seeing the great work these 106 people will do in just one day...  Yeah, it definitely brings a smile to my face.

So I guess I say a big "thank you" to Spring Valley Academy.  You all certainly understand what it means to Live United...  Thank you for the impact you're making on your community.  Thank you for your enthusiasm as you get ready for an exciting day of creating lasting change.  And thank you for showing the rest of our region just how awesome today's teens really can be.

Have you volunteered with us before? (If you're from C-J or Spring Valley Academy, odds are that you have....)

Give us a quote about why you love volunteering or how United Way's Volunteer Connection has hooked you up with a fun volunteer opportunity.

Maybe you volunteered for Join Hands Miami Valley (Make a Difference Day). Maybe it was Community Care Day. Maybe you mentored. Maybe you painted. We want to hear about it.

Be famous. Message me with your quote about why volunteering is great and/or why you love www.volunteerdayton.org. Include your first and last name, as well as the name of any group you volunteered with. (And let me know where you went too!)

We might use YOUR awesome quote in our printed materials or on our Web site. It's that easy!

You in?

And if you're one of the first three people to show the love, I've got a T-shirt here with YOUR name on it. 

A big shout-out to everyone who lent a hand (or two!) during Join Hands Miami Valley on October 26 and 27.  The results were incredible!

Fast stats...

- More than 760 volunteers got down and dirty at 61 project sites

- 41 different nonprofit organizations received services

- Nearly 2,400 hours of service were provided by some great volunteers

- The service provided was valued at more than $46,700!!!!

While the stats are amazing, it's even more impressive to realize what all that volunteering translated into...

- Because of AmeriCorps volunteers from Unified Health Solutions, kids at Richard Allen School now have a safe playground.  It had just one swing when the volunteers arrived....  Now they have basketball hoops, hopscotch, a full swingset, repaired fences, a mock football field and more.  And the kids at the school helped! 

- Meals were prepared in advance by employees of UPS at St. Vincent Hotel.  These meals will be frozen and used to feed the hundreds of homeless men, women and children who spend their nights at the shelter each week.  Who would have thought a little spaghetti could be so powerful? 

- Boy Scouts Troop 320 helped create a backpack trail at Germantown MetroPark with the help of Five Rivers MetroPark staff and other volunteers.  These kids don't just enjoy nature themselves...  They make it possible for many others to get out there too! 

There are so many stories.  If you participated in some Make a Difference Day activities, be sure to comment.  Where were you and how did you make a difference on October 26 and 27?

Check out the National Conference on Volunteering and Service online at www.pointsoflight.org! 

Volunteer Connection is in Philadelphia this week learning more about how to engage great volunteers and address a variety of social issues.  Welcome to any guests from across the nation who are taking a moment to browse our corner of MySpace for the first time!

Exciting news is hitting Dayton...  An outstanding collaborative effort is in the works to engage more volunteers locally for Make a Difference Day on October 26th and 27th.  Keep an eye out for more information about Join Hands Miami Valley, a parnership for Make a Difference Day.  Key partners in this collaborative effort include Chaminade-Julienne High School, Five Rivers MetroParks, Sinclair Community College, Spring Valley Academy,Wright State University, United Way's Volunteer Connection and the University of Dayton.  These great organizations will work with area nonprofits to sponsor a variety of community service projects throughout the Miami Valley on the above dates.  Lists of available projects will go live by September 10th at www.volunteerdayton.org, so stay tuned for more information!

Have you heard about the Free Hugs Campaign?

One person's actions in Australia have motivated local Dayton residents to bring the love here.  Free hugs will be given out in front of the information booth at Cityfolk this Sunday from 2:30pm - 5pm.

Check it out and give a few hugs of your own!

Looking for something to do on Friday, June 1st?

United Way's Volunteer Connection needs just 96 more volunteers to help with its annual Community Care Day.

Approximately 70 community service projects will be completed for nonprofits throughout Montgomery, Greene and Preble Counties that day.  Who needs help?  Goodwill Easter Seals, St. Vincent Hotel, Choices in Community Living, Trotwood YMCA, House of Bread, United Theological Seminary, Fairborn YMCA, Dayton Christian Center...  And many others.

Don't miss out!  We have free T-shirts too.  Projects are available from 8am - 12pm, 12pm - 4pm and 8am - 4pm.  They all require that you be at least 16-years-old and most need you to be 18-years-old.  If you want to sign up, call me right now at (937) 225-3039 or email me at nicolettew@dayton-unitedway.org.

Thanks!

Nikki

United Way is sponsoring its annual Community Care Day on Friday, June 1st. Sign up to work a half or full day project in Montgomery, Greene or Preble County online at www.dayton-unitedway.org.

Nearly 850 volunteers are needed to complete more than 70 community service projects for agencies that need an extra hand (or 20). Paint, landscape, read to kids, clean, serve a meal or help out with other activities. Groups and individuals are welcome. Get a team from work or just make new friends at your project.

Last year 613 volunteers completed 54 service projects for agencies like House of Bread, The Other Place, Resident Home Association, Graceworks and others. Help make this the biggest year yet and sign up TODAY. (And maybe get a free T-shirt for your collection.)

Click here to view more details about this great national event.  What a great way to stock food pantries across the nation, especially now that they're empty again after the Christmas rush!

Looking for other ways to become more involved in ending hunger?  Check out just a few of the opportunities listed on our webpage:

Dietary Assistant (684)

Location: Downtown Dayton

Availability: Saturdays from 11am - 2pm

Volunteers Needed: 1- 2

Volunteers are needed to assist with preparing breakfast for children. Other duties will include assisting with set-up and clean-up of tables. Volunteers may be asked to assist class instructors with science and math demonstrations.  Volunteers must enjoy working with children.

Location: Downtown Dayton

Availability: Tuesday and Thursday from 5pm - 8:30pm

Volunteers Needed: 1 - 8

Volunteer needed to stock food on pantry shelves, organize items and perform general clean-up.  Must commit to once per week, once per month or other pre-arranged schedule.  Background check supplied.

Location: Downtown Dayton

Availability: Monday - Friday, 11am - 1:30pm

Volunteers Needed: 1 - 2

Serve hot prepared meals to homeless clients in shelter. Assist with setting up, serving food and clean-up. Volunteers may serve one time or many times.

Location: Downtown Dayton

Availability: Tuesday and Thursday, 8am - 10:30am

Volunteers Needed: 1 - 2

Volunteer needed to ensure kitchen is clean and all perishable food is used. Volunteer will work closely with agency employee to manage food use and preparation.  Volunteers are not permitted to wear open toe shoes.

Location: Xenia

Availability: Monday - Friday, 4pm - 6:30pm

Volunteers Needed: 1 - 14

An individual or pair of individuals is needed to provide an evening meal for up to 22 residents. Volunteers will plan meals and provide food preparation, as well as clean up following the meal. A criminal background check may be required. The agency will provide a well-equipped kitchen, groceries, cooking utensils and assistance by available staff. Special training regarding use of kitchen and health department regulations will also be provided.

Meal Server (408)

Location: Eaton

Availability: Monday - Friday, 10:30am - 1pm

Volunteers Needed: 1 - 5

Age Minimum: 21 years

Volunteers are needed to assist preschool staff in setting up for lunch, serving prepared meals and cleaning up kitchen facilities following meals. Volunteers will also monitor meals to ensure proper food temperatures are maintained.  Agency provides volunteers with a background check.

Comment me if you want contact info for any of these positions!