Volunteer Broward

Do you know what natural disasters you are vulnerable to in your community? Do you have an emergency plan if disaster strikes?

2011-09-15T16:29:00.002-04:00

These can be daunting questions, but they don’t have to be. Aside from having disaster insurance protection, we often forget the importance of developing a plan and having the necessary supplies to be ready for emergency situations. Being prepared can grant us a certain peace of mind when all precautionary steps have been taken.

Good & Ready, a program of the Get HandsOn campaign, will help you get prepared. Good &

Ready focuses on emergency preparedness efforts and encourages Americans to create family emergency plans, build emergency preparedness kits and get trained with an emergency response organization.

Visit www.gethandson.com to see all the amazing resources available to you and take an interactive quiz to rest your family’s readiness for emergencies and disasters. Not only will you be able to assess your emergency readiness, you will also be entered in the weekly drawing to receive a ReadyBox emergency preparedness case. The prizes don’t end there. By pledging your plans to create an emergency plan, build a kit, help others and/or get trained, you will be entered for the chance to win a $250 Lowe’s gift card in a weekly drawing. Participants will also be entered for the chance to win a $1,000 American Express gift card in the grand prize drawing. Winners are encouraged to donate their gift card to their charity of choice.

Countless lives have been saved because people like YOU have received training from emergency response organizations and created emergency kits. If you haven’t taken the appropriate steps to get prepared, what are you waiting for? Visit your local HandsOn action center or visit one of Good & Ready’s partner organizations like the Red Cross, FLASH and Ready.gov for additional resources in emergency response.

What about your neighbors? As you peruse the Good & Ready website, you will gain tons of knowledge. We encourage you to share this information with your friends and community.

Hosting a kit building party is a fun way to share your emergency preparedness smarts and interact with family, friends and neighbors to ensure everyone is prepared. Throw on some tunes, get a few snacks and have a blast. It can be inexpensive to make a household kit and one of the best investments you can make for your home.

We all know that the more we’re prepared to face a difficult situation, the less anxious we become. Log on to gethandson.com and get good and ready. Don’t forget to check out the

Facebook page and follow us on Twitter for more great tips!

Volunteer Broward to Coordinate 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance in Broward County

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:

Kristina DaSilva,

Director of Programs

Volunteer Broward

Phone: 954.233.1293

Email: Kristina@volbrow.org

Volunteer Broward is joining hundreds of organizations and individuals around the country that are participating in the 9/11 Day observance in an effort to create the single-largest day of good deeds, charitable activity and volunteer service in U.S. history. The projects will pay tribute to the 9/11 victims and survivors and those who rose in service following the attacks.

Beginning on September 9th and culminating on September 11th, Volunteer Broward will organize 1,000 volunteers in service to the county. Rallying community members to commit to service by taking the “I Will” pledge, the local affiliate of the national HandsOn Network plans to unite nonprofit organizations, civic groups, corporate and community volunteers to perform a wide array of tasks.

“This movement captures the desire of millions of caring Americans and people around the world to pay tribute, as well as our collective determination to not forget those lost, the injured and the many who rose in service in response to the attacks,” said Jay S. Winuk, vice president and co-founder of MyGoodDeed, and brother of Glenn J. Winuk, an attorney and volunteer firefighter who died in the line of duty on Sept. 11. “The 10-year anniversary of 9/11 provides a remarkable opportunity to rekindle that much needed spirit of unity and create a historic tribute of service and reflection that will forever honor both the victims and heroes of the 9/11 attacks.”

Joining MyGoodDeed and HandsOn Network to lead the observance are the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s Business Civic Leadership Center, AARP, The Mission Continues and The Corporation for National and Community Service. The 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance is supported by leadership contributor American Express, along with national contributors JPMorgan Chase, Best Buy, GlaxoSmithKline, and Target.

“The support from the community has been tremendous”, said Volunteer Broward’s Executive Director, Dale Hirsch. “We are proud to be part of such a strong collaborative effort to honor the victims, heroes and survivors of 9/11.”

Volunteer Broward is currently registering volunteers to carry out the service projects that will take place throughout Broward County from Friday, September 9 through Sunday, September 11. The calendar of projects includes:

09/09/2011 - Food Sorting at Feeding South Florida
09/10/2011 – Stephen Siller Tunnel to Tower Run
09/10/2011 – 9/11 Service Tribute at Broward Outreach Center
09/10/2011 – Disaster Response Team Training at Volunteer Broward
09/10/2011 – Mock Volunteer Reception Center at Volunteer Broward
09/11/2011 – 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance at Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School

Individuals interested in volunteering at a 9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance tribute project can find a complete list of service opportunities with project details, locations, and requirements online at www.VolunteerBroward.org.

About Volunteer Broward:

Volunteer Broward connects individuals, businesses, and civic groups with unique, hands-on volunteer opportunities at more than 600 nonprofit organizations, and on thousands of projects annually, which make a lasting impact on our community. To learn more about Volunteer Broward, upcoming service opportunities, or to schedule a volunteer orientation at your place of business, please call 954.233.1300 or visit us online at www.VolunteerBroward.org

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August 2011 Project Leader Spotlight: Jonelle Levy

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I got involved as a Project Leader with Volunteer Broward during the annual Martin Luther King Jr. Week of Service. During that time, Volunteer Broward was mobilizing over 5,000 volunteers and community members to answer to Dr. King's call to service. Although I was an active volunteer, I decided that being a project leader would be a great opportunity in developing and sustaining future projects. I got the chance to recruit and lead over 200 volunteers for the Martin Luther King Jr. Parade at MLK Jr. elementary in addition to working as a Street Team Leader and encouraging the parade goers to commit to service this year. The MLK Jr. celebration was the first project that I got to lead and the experience was amazing! I was able to volunteer with my friends and family. At that time, I realized that the world is much bigger than my neighborhood and by doing self-less acts I can motivate another person or child.

Being a volunteer and project leader has positively impacted my personal and professional goals.I recently received my associates in nursing and I am currently pursuing a bachelor's in Public Health. I plan on continuing my education by getting a masters in epidemiology and maternal & child health. I eventually want to work in an agency that promote healthy living for families and their children. I am currently planning to work with Volunteer Broward and Broward Outreach Center in getting more people involved in the Hope Tote Campaign. The Hope Totes is a great opportunity to give back to those in needs, hygiene items, baby supplies, and clothing are in high demand and needed at various centers and I am very excited to contribute.

My advice for new volunteers and project leaders is to get involved! Volunteer Broward is very helpful in supporting their volunteers, project leaders, and partnering agencies. Whether you want to lead an existing calendared project or start your own, the tools and people are always there to help out.

July 2011 Volunteer Spotlight: The Puddie Family

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Jonathan, Collin, Tanya, and Moya Puddie

I became aware of Volunteer Broward while researching “in-service hours” for high schools students. You see the Puddie family comprises of a 13 year old, 9 year old and 5 year old and the oldest will be off to high school this year. Wishing to have Moya, my daughter commence her high school career with a firm understanding of graduation requirements, as well as to begin to build a resume that would increase her chances of gaining a scholarship upon graduation, we signed up and attended a Volunteer Broward orientation. What we learned was that Volunteer Broward was a way to get the whole family involved, while learning how to give back to others. At first the focus was on my daughter but then I realized that so many children have no concept of responsibility to their community as well as others and this is something that I did not want to be lost on my two boys Collin and Jonathan the youngest. So the whole family decided to get involved.

The first event through Volunteer Broward had us working together as a family (yes! Jonathan, 5 was our hydration engineer) building a trail and removing exotic plants at Snyder Park as a part of a community event. In the proceeding weeks we sorted shoes for children as a part of a “back-to-school” effort, made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as a part of a cooperate feeding effort on behalf of the “Kids Care Club” and served those in need at a shelter which was a humbling experience for both myself and my children.

I must admit, at first, the tasks seemed daunting and the events unnerving. I had concerns about how I would be able to engage the boys and keep them excited and interested. Let’s face it, its summer and children no matter their intentions want to play and relax and so do I. However, we all agreed that accomplishing these tasks together was bigger than our need to lie in bed or spend more wasted hour’s in–front of the television. Moya, my daughter, has expressed to me that this experience has taught her that one person can make a difference; also, that so much is happening in the lives of others around her and it makes her grateful for her family. Surprisingly, Collin and Jonathan have found this experience fun, and not at all tiresome. With the help of awesome project leaders like Cherona Levy, Daria Decastro, and Sander Schrantz, we look forward to each event knowing that no matter how big or how small there will be a task for us to do.

Being a part of Volunteer Broward has been just an amazing and rewarding experience for my family. As we work side by side serving others, it has brought us closer together in a way that is really hard to express. They have gotten a head start on what it feels like to give back I have observed a change in how they view the world. It’s getting harder and harder to get accepted into a college or university, the criteria goes beyond grades and scores. Therefore, starting your kids early and showing them what it means to be well rounded is a just an extra bonus on the ‘parent list’. What’s next on the ‘Puddie List’ you may ask? Well, together Volunteer Broward and the Puddie’s will join forces to continue to serve those in need and we are ready for the task.

Volunteering shows people that there are always things you can do that can help the environment and others. Joining this fantastic program makes you feel as if you have a purpose, and seeing the smiles on peoples face when you help them is priceless. I don’t think there will be an end to my family and Volunteer Broward, we are hooked and there is no way we can look back now. We have become an addition to an organization that will impact our world in the near future. My advise to other families thinking of getting themselves involved is ‘just get started’, go to your first event, stretch your hand out and Volunteer Broward will take you and take it from there. Once you see how your small deed affects the lives of those you are helping trust me, you’ll be hooked just like the Puddie’s. As William James once said “Act as if everything you do matters”.

By: The Puddie Family

June 2011 Project Leader Spotlight: Briana Boswell

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Briana (Center) with volunteers at the PB&J Project

I had just finished my first year of college and had no summer plans. Not wanting to waste time sitting at home all summer I decided to find a way to give back to the community. I googled “volunteering in Broward County” and found Volunteer Broward. I was nervous to sign up at first because I had never volunteered before and had no idea what to expect. I tend to be very shy, and I thought being a volunteer would be difficult as I would have to talk to many people.

Volunteering has been one of the best decisions I have made, and it has impacted my life tremendously. I have gained an immense amount of self-confidence and I feel as if I can truly accomplish anything I put my mind to. Before I began volunteering I was very shy, and nervous to talk to people or ask basic questions. Even the anticipation of getting lost, doing a task wrong, or not knowing what volunteering would be like was intimidating. Now I have become a comfortable, less anxious, and more out-going volunteer. I know that no matter what happens in life I can handle myself. I have enjoyed the challenges that volunteering has presented, and I feel a sense of accomplishment when I finish a project.

If someone would have asked me what I expected Volunteer Broward to be like before I started, I would have probably said that I imagine myself going to a few volunteer opportunities here and there but overall nothing special. I would have imagined myself anxious, shy, and picking projects where I could blend in and never have to worry about doing something ‘wrong’. Instead it has been a life-changing experience with new opportunities, and has even opened my eyes to possible career paths. Not only do I participate in multiple projects each week, but I have taken control and become a project leader.

I am currently the project leader for Peanut Butter Jelly Time every Tuesday, where I help out in a community kitchen to feed the homeless. This was the first project I signed up for, and after my first time I was hooked! It is such a rewarding experience to be able to help these people, and it gives me an amazing feeling that I, a shy 18 year old who always preferred to blend-in, could actually make a difference in peoples’ lives. I began signing up for many different types of projects. I have volunteered for the CERT drill team disaster trainings, where I pretend to be a victim of a disaster in order to help the Community Emergency Response Teams receive training. That has been a lot of fun. I have volunteered at the Ronald McDonald House where we baked muffins for sick children. I also volunteered at Taste of a Nation, a fundraiser to help provide food for those in need.

I have signed up for many future projects, including volunteering at the 2011 U.S. Paralympics Track and Field National Championships. I am looking forward to all the future projects and each new experience and challenge. I have met many amazing people, including an AmeriCorps member who has inspired me to go above and beyond. Seeing the way she helps people and how comfortable she seems in her own skin has helped me break out of my shell and really dive in! I am even considering joining AmeriCorps in the future to further use my time to help those in need.

My advice to new volunteers is to take chances! You never know where that might lead you. Don’t let anxieties, what if’s, or pessimistic thoughts stand in your way. If you believe in yourself and have a goal, then go for it and follow your heart. It may seem out of reach, but it really might be closer than you think.

By: Briana Boswell

June 2011 Volunteer Spotlight: Sherley Guerrier

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Sherley and Daria at the
Ronald McDonald House

I was beginning my sophomore year of high school and didn't have any community service hours. I knew I needed to stop being lazy and become a more active member in my community. One day the guidance counselors at my school, Fort Lauderdale High, had an assembly and they started talking about Volunteer Broward and I decided to look it up online and eventually signed up for an orientation meeting. That's how I started volunteering.

I worked on many different projects with Volunteer Broward. One of the recent projects that I worked on was the 2^nd Annual Covenant 5k walk/run where I passed out water to the racers. I even had a chance to walk some of the track. The day before the 5k I volunteered at the Ronald McDonald house and assisted other volunteers in making muffins for the families that currently live at the House. Other projects that I have worked on include a lot of outdoor environmental projects such as People & Planet Day at Esplanade River Walk Park and I also helped build a nature trail at Snyder Park with the Kids Ecology Corps. I also participated in the Family Fun and Resource Day which was an outreach event on child abuse prevention. I am also part of the Youth Project Leaders program which gives me an opportunity to learn how to be a leader in assisting our community. I am currently not signed up for any projects, but will soon be visiting the website to get my new assignments.

I know I'm making a difference in my life and others when I volunteer. This organization impacted my life tremendously. Since I've started I volunteer at least once a week. As I grow up and start applying for colleges the volunteer projects I have taken part in will aid me into getting into schools that I would like to attend. As an adult I will have more social skills and be able to interact with people that I will be working alongside. My sister is now beginning to volunteer through Volunteer Broward because of how much she saw volunteering was important to me. Volunteering has become a part of my lifestyle. I learned to enjoy helping others. "One of the best decisions I've made in my high school career is joining volunteer Broward because of the many doors it will open in my future."

If you're a new volunteer and hesitant about becoming a Volunteer Broward member I encourage you to at least do one project that's all it takes to change your perspective. You never know until you try!

By Sherley Guerrier

AmeriCorps Week Project Recap: Movies & Muffins

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Assortment of Yummy Goodness

Volunteers battered up last week Friday for the Movies and Muffins service project at the Ronald McDonald House-Ft. Lauderdale for AmeriCorps Week 2011! Over 100 muffins- chocolate chip, blueberry, banana nut, apple cinnamon, and cornbread were made for the families and friends who call the Ronald McDonald House their “home away from home”. With over 290 local chapters in 52 countries and regions, the Ronald McDonald House Charities has been developing and supporting programs that aim to improve the well being of children.

Volunteers gets ready to start another batch

The Ft. Lauderdale House which opened in 2004 features 20 private bedrooms, indoor/outdoor play areas, a library, dining room, kitchen, and common areas. Located right across the street from Broward General Medical Center and The Chris Evert Children’s Hospital, The Ronald McDonald House-Ft. Lauderdale opens it doors to over 150 families each year.

Volunteer support at the Ronald McDonald House is very much appreciated and needed. Volunteers cans adopt a meal, sponsor a bingo night, read stories to the children, make art/crafts, or have a magic night to name a few.

Chocolate Chip was a favorite!

To learn more about how you can get involved in a local chapter in your community please visit http://rmhc.org/ and if you are in the Ft. Lauderdale area, feel free to join us next month for Movies and Muffins!

AmeriCorps Week Project Recap: Peanut Butter Jelly Time

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Volunteers take a pose before serving

Volunteer Broward was given the amazing opportunity to work with South Florida’s Cooperative Feeding Program each morning of AmeriCorps Week 2011. Our service project coined “Peanut Butter Jelly Time” supported the efforts of this organization by ensuring that every individual left the center with a packed lunch which included a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Volunteer from various churches, civic groups, and schools joined us in assisting this organization with the tasks of preparing and distributing hot meals, preparing emergency food boxes in the pantry, and assisting with clean-up at the end of the day. But the Cooperative Feeding Program has more to offer than just a meal distribution program.

Preparing Emergency Food Boxes

This great organization also offers many amenities to homeless individuals and families as well as those who may be facing hard times but still maintain a home of their own. Not only can people enjoy a hot meal each morning and pick up food at the pantry, but Cooperative Feeding Program offers employment services, counseling, and training for their clients. A case worker is on staff each day to assist not only with individual cases, but provides services that can help people with rent, utility, and food stamp services if they qualify. Cooperative Feeding Program also has a free mail room and message board center where families, friends, and possible employers can contact the people there. Individuals are welcomed to use the showers (including shampoo, soap, etc) upstairs and can receive a fresh pair of clothes. In addition, free barber services are provided to clients, which can be useful for upcoming job interviews.

Errol prepping in the kitchen

The care and thought put in by the workers at the Cooperative Feeding Program is unmatched and their dedication towards helping others is wonderful to experience. Volunteer Broward feels very privileged to have the opportunity to work with them and believes that others should check out the organization!

Join us every Tuesday and every other Monday for the Peanut Butter Jelly Time Project at Cooperative Feeding Program. Visit their site at www.lifenet4families.org for more information on how you can support their efforts.

Thank you to all the volunteers!

Yours in Service,

Volunteer Broward Team

My AmeriCorps Story -- Daria R deCastro

2011-05-20T17:00:00.021-04:00

Where Can Volunteering Take You ?

If you would have asked me a year ago what AmeriCorps was or what members did would have given you a blank stare and shrugged my shoulders "I don't know."

I spent most of my life volunteering in Broward County with my church, school or family. We volunteered in our family because that is what we did, it was who we were as a family. I never really considered where volunteering might take me. Well in January of 2010 volunteering took me to Volunteer Broward.

After I began volunteering with Volunteer Broward I began to receive their newsletters with all the upcoming projects and their announcements. One newsletter I read in May or June was different from all the rest it had a call for members to apply to become AmeriCorps Members to serve at Volunteer Broward.

I wondered what is AmeriCorps and what do members do? I hit the web and began to research exactly what AmeriCorp was. I learned that AmeriCorps was like the domestic Peace Corps. People from all over our nation....

serve through a network of partnerships with local and national nonprofit groups......AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It’s a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community....As an AmeriCorps member, you’ll gain new skills and experiences—and you’ll also find the tremendous satisfaction that comes from helping others. In addition, full-time members who complete their service earn a Segal AmeriCorps Education Award to pay for college, graduate school, or to pay back qualified student loans; members who serve part-time receive a partial Award. Some AmeriCorps members may also receive a modest living allowance during their term of service.

I thought, "Sounds good to me". I applied online at AmeriCorps.gov and was invited in for an interview at Volunteer Broward. I started my term as an AmeriCorps member in October of 2010.

Without AmeriCorps and Volunteer Broward I would have never realized the work one person does can truly change in our community.

One person can teach 100 teachers who teach 1600 preschoolers to garden and eat healthy
One person can organize one project that plants close to 5000 tree and shrubs in a year
One person can help collect 6000 books for under-resourced elementary and preschools
One person can inspire lots of volunteers to BE THE CHANGE they want to see in their community

You never know what YOU can do until you try. Check out AmeriCorps.gov for more information about the 75,000 AmeriCorps opportunities offered each year. My name is Daria R deCastro and this is my AmeriCorps Story.

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Movies&Muffins @Ronald McDonald House 2nite 2 celebrate ACWEEK Volbrow being THE CHANGE.#1000TWOL HandsOnCorps http://ow.ly/i/bPcY

2011-05-19T13:29:00.001-04:00

http://ow.ly/i/bMcQ Over 200 sandwiches made for PB&J Time project! Join VOLBROW tomorrow for a day of fun! 1000twol ACWEEK

My AmeriCorps WeekEND

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AmeriCorps Week is finally here and AmeriCorps members, alums, community partners, and volunteers nationwide are teaming up to tell their AmeriCorps stories and Get Things Done! Before kicking-off our AmeriCorps Week projects, we met up with the Florida Campus Compact AmeriCorps members for a leadership conference hosted by Broward College at the Tiger Tail ropes course center in Dania Beach, Florida. It was a great opportunity to meet other serving members and discuss the importance of community involvement.

Congratulations to the newly inducted AmeriCorps members from the

Florida Campus Compact

Icebreaker session at Leadership Conference hosted by
Broward College

On May 14^th volunteers met up with us and our partnering agency Keep Broward Beautiful for a weekend Beach Sweep. Volunteers picked up litter and collected recyclables, in addition to passing out information to beach-goers on the new recyclable program that was started at the beach. Later on that day we hosted My AmeriCorps Story, a workshop that discussed the AmeriCorps program in depth and challenged attendees to get engaged this AmeriCorps Week and beyond. The event was a success! Current serving AmeriCorps members, alums, and attendees shared their stories about how the AmeriCorps program has impacted their life.

We finished the weekend by joining our friends from HandsOn Miami, the AmeriCorps Alums- Miami Chapter, the Urban Guild Project and a team of volunteers and AmeriCorps members to create an urban paradise at Oleta River State Park. Volunteers were found planting native vegetation, mulching, and making new friends. The day ended with an amazing BBQ provided by the AmeriCorps Alums- Miami Chapter.

Scott at Oleta River State Park project

AmeriCorps Week is still happening and the Volunteer Broward team encourages you to get involved! Check out the various projects happening in your area by going to http://www.americorpsalumsevents.org or visiting on of the various HandsOn affiliates site to check out different volunteer projects.

Yours in Service,

Volunteer Broward Team

2011-05-16T09:34:00.001-04:00

VOLBROW HandsOnCorps AmeriCorps members are getting things done at Crossroads Food Bank for ACWeek 1000TWOL

2011-05-16T09:27:00.001-04:00

Thank you @HandsOnMiami and @ACAlumsMiami for your collaboration on ACweek in Miami. VOLBROW was proud to be included! HandsOnCorps, 1000TWOL

2011-05-14T10:59:00.001-04:00

@VOLBROW HandsOn Corps members are cleaning up North Beach Park in Hollywood for ACWeek! 1000TWOL

2011-05-10T12:04:00.001-04:00

Great day of volunteering at Tomorrow's Rainbow with @insideFPL volunteers for FPL's Power to Care Week!!!

Volunteer Broward Celebrates AmeriCorps Week 2011

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AmeriCorps Members Share their Service Stories

LAUDERHILL, FL (May 9, 2011) — The fifth annual AmeriCorps Week will take place May 14-21, 2011. AmeriCorps, which has been in existence for nearly two decades, works with community organizations to help them reach more people and better achieve their missions. Since 1994, 637,000 men and women have joined AmeriCorps nationwide, and they have given more than 770 million hours of service to their country. AmeriCorps Week shines a spotlight on AmeriCorps members' impact in communities across the nation in order to motivate more Americans to join AmeriCorps or volunteer in their communities.

“We are proud to be part of AmeriCorps and grateful for the members who are getting things done.” said Lynn Wilson, Director of National Service at HandsOn Network, the national office that sub-grants Corps members to local volunteer action center, Volunteer Broward. Volunteer Broward is in its third year of AmeriCorps programming through the Network. “AmeriCorps members have made a tremendous local impact, allowing us to extend our outreach and services by recruiting thousands of community volunteers to work alongside them.” states Dale Hirsch, Executive Director of Volunteer Broward.

Volunteer Broward is planning several events during AmeriCorps Week, allowing community residents to learn about, and participate in, AmeriCorps programs. Events include AmeriCorps information and orientation sessions, hands-on service projects and outreach activities. Participants are also invited to join in the celebration through the popular social networking site, Twitter by “tweeting” into the conversation stream about the important work of AmeriCorps and using hashtags #handsoncorps, #acweek, #1000TWOL or #volbrow. For more information, contact Volunteer Broward at 954-233-1293 or visit the websites www.volunteerbroward.org and www.AmeriCorps.gov.

About HandsOn Network

HandsOn Network, the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute, is the largest volunteer network in the nation and includes more than 250 HandsOn Action Centers in 16 countries. HandsOn includes a powerful network of more than 70,000 corporate, faith and nonprofit organizations that are answering the call to serve and creating meaningful change in their communities. Annually, the network delivers approximately 30 million hours of volunteer service valued at about $600 million. For more information, please visit www.HandsOnNetwork.org.

About HandsOn Corps

The HandsOn Corps AmeriCorps program engages National Direct and VISTA members in service to mobilize local communities around critical issues and challenges. HandsOn Corps AmeriCorps members identify, train, and manage volunteer leaders who will then develop and manage high quality, impact-driven projects, engaging others and further enabling the work of grassroots nonprofit organizations. The HandsOn Corps model provides vital infrastructure and brings more skilled leaders into service focusing around 3 critical national issues: Education, Economy, and Environment.

About Volunteer Broward

Volunteer Broward connects provides meaningful, hands-on volunteer experiences for civic-minded businesses and individuals in order to positively affect change in Broward County. To learn more about Volunteer Broward, upcoming service opportunities, or to schedule a volunteer orientation at your place of business, please call 954.233.1300 or visit us online at www.VolunteerBroward.org

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Volunteer Broward gives a GREEN thumb up to our volunteers and community partners for Earth Month 2011!

2011-05-06T11:32:00.000-04:00

Volunteer Broward created several exciting opportunities for environmentally-friendly individuals, families, and groups to join together and celebrate Mother Nature! While we thought of having just several awesome projects on April 22^nd, the official date for Earth Day, we couldn’t pass up the chance in providing volunteer projects and outreach events throughout the entire month of April. With the help of our volunteers and community partners we picked up trash and collected recyclables at North Hollywood Beach Park, built nature trails and planted Cypress trees at Snyder Park, organized several communities clean-ups, and participated in outreach programs for kids, to name a few.

Ginger leads the Kids Eco Action Zone at the Earth Day Kick-off

Event at People and Planet Day

The goal of celebrating Earth Month this year was to really expose our volunteers to the diversity of community projects throughout the county that they could participate in.

Jennifer Nezo, Jill Marie McGarry, & Christina Handal

Hang out at the Beach Sweep at North Hollywood Beach Park

Nickeydia Banks and Laura Piquero at the

Broadview Park Community Clean-up

Lee Gottlieb, Outreach Director at Kids Ecology Corps

Leads our team of VB volunteers at the

Community Service Day at Snyder Park event

We give special thanks and a GREEN thumbs up to all the volunteers, project leaders, and community partners who joined us in making Earth Month in Broward County a success. We hope to see you all next year new and improved projects.

By Cherona Levy

Volunteer Broward AmeriCorps Member

May 2011 Project Leader Spotlight: Jonathan Howard

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Jonathan at the Weston Art Walk

In 2010, I found Volunteer Broward though Disney’s Give a Day, Get a Day campaign. Disney was asking the public to volunteer one day and in return you would get a free entrance to one of their parks. I went on their web page and found links to local ways to volunteer. Too easy to pass, I made my whole family do it. Through Volunteer Broward I found Cross Road Food Bank. My sister and I collected non-perishable items from our neighbors, my parents made the drop off and a few days later we each had a free pass to any Disney park. How easy was that!

Later I started a new school that encouraged every student to volunteer. I didn’t mind volunteering but I didn’t know how or where. When I called random non-profit locations, it never seemed to work out. I was too young, the days/times didn’t work for me, or the task they were asking me to do didn’t interest me. Right about when I was going to give up on volunteering until I got into high school, I remembered Volunteer Broward. I logged on to Volunteer Broward and, as they say, the rest is history. I have been able to pick days and times that work for me, things that interest me and projects that allow kids that are 13. Even my 10 year-old sister has been able to find projects.

Since starting to volunteer it has been a win-win. I am helping others, animals and the environment while having such fun and meeting new people. Working the Feeding Program at First Congregational gave me the chance to feed and talk to homeless people. Who knew they were so nice and full of stories? I have gotten to do cool things like working in an airplane hanger for Challenge Air’s Ft Lauderdale Fly Day, learned how to use a pottery wheel volunteering for Young at Art and even worked the Orange Bowl. Since I like computers so much, I have my sights on Comcast’s Digital Connectors Program next. Can’t wait!

All it takes is one time. Try just one project and I promise you will be hooked.

By Jonathan Howard

2011-04-28T15:09:00.001-04:00

Volunteers Give THANKS in a Special Way http://ping.fm/jSb5L

Volunteers Give THANKS in a Special Way

2011-04-28T15:04:00.000-04:00

Thanksgiving in April 2011 at the Broward Outreach Center- Hollywood

Thanksgiving is a time for family, food, laughter, and giving, and although this holiday is typically celebrated the last Thursday in November, volunteer groups and organizations came together to give back to those in need. Known as Thanksgiving in April, this annual event hosted by the Broward Outreach Center, aims to not only educate the public on combating poverty in South Florida, but allowing them to understand the importance of fellowship.

Our “Yellow Team” volunteers are ready to serve at the Thanksgiving in April Event

Donated hygiene products were collected for the Hope Totes

Students at Florida Career College assist in relieving some stress for attendees

Barry University podiatry students give tips on healthy foot care while giving pedicures

Karen Barcz and Cherona Levy take a break from serving food to smile for the camera

The Broward Outreach Center offers comprehensive programs for the homeless such as life-skills courses, education programs for obtaining a G.E.D., and counseling. Without the contributions of volunteers and various organizations maintaining these programs would be difficult. For more information on how you can get involved at the Broward Outreach Center, visit Volunteer Broward and let us connect you with one of the many programs at this amazing facility.

by Cherona Levy, Volunteer Broward AmeriCorps Member

2011-04-27T16:09:00.001-04:00

May 2011 Volunteer Spotlight: Marilyn Jacobs http://ping.fm/8wfTq

May 2011 Volunteer Spotlight: Marilyn Jacobs

2011-04-27T15:59:00.003-04:00

Making time for Volunteer Broward activities has provided "Golden Moments" such as:

At the 12th Man Football and Cheer Camp, watching volunteers push wheelchairs for children with MD over the football area, showing them physically how to swing their foot, watching them kick a football and seeing the grins on their faces. There were children less affected by MD also participating. The children loved the lunch we served and dancing to or watching the DJ's, singers and dancers after lunch;

Attending the South Florida Pets Expo, collecting signatures in favor of Pets in Condos and hearing heartwarming stories about the differences pets have made in the lives of people the signers knew; some folks came over to our booth saying that being able to sign the petition was a major reason for them coming to the Pet Expo;

At People and Planets Day watching children learn about the environment at various exhibits including Audubon Society, Wildlife Care Center, exhibits by various related non-profits and "Green" businesses, seeing children doing rock climbing and watching them sort recyclables;

Attending the Weston Art Walk and watching children paint on canvases and paper as freely as they wished to and working on other art projects done by Young at Art Children's Museum;

Seeing parents, many of whom brought children along, get Health Fair Services at Jack and Jill Children's Center such as exams for Blood Pressure, Screenings for Diabetes, Cholesterol, Breast & Cervical Cancer, Bone Density & Body Mass Index, HIV and STDs- all for free!

There were MANY "Golden Moments," with so many happy dedicated volunteers "working their hearts out" to produce these exceptional events.

You too can come away with much good feeling. Go to www.volunteerbroward.com and sign up for activities, come participate and c'mon over and say hello! The volunteers and project leaders are a warm, friendly group. Luckily, we can choose activities we like, at times that are convenient in our lives.

Thanks to Volunteer Broward and the Children's Services Council for enriching so many lives - participants and volunteers alike! All the project leaders get kudos for organizing and implementing these events.

by Marilyn Jacobs

2011-04-20T14:40:00.001-04:00

Have an exciting volunteer experience that you'd like to blog? Photos of you and friends volunteering? Submit to kristina@volbrow.org!

2011-04-12T14:34:00.001-04:00

Check out April's PROJECT LEADER News! http://ow.ly/4yIjI