Courtney helps prepare and serve meals to more than 500 homeless in an hour!

Name: Courtney
Cause name: Austin Street Centre
Cause website:  http://www.austinstreet.org/
First time volunteering with this cause? No.  I usually go 4 times a year

The Austin Street Centre has a crew come in every single night from various churches and organizations to provide food for the homeless in Dallas.  The organization not only buys the food, but you prepare it and serve it.  I go with the Saint Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church.  A friend of mine attends this church and got me involved in the Austin Street Centre.

Because of work, I do not prepare the food.  It is usually done at the church during the day of the event.  I work in the line, serving food or drinks. It is a very organized.  The workers from the shelter provide all of the serving items.  They provide the chaffing dishes, punch containers, ovens to keep the items warm (but not to be used for cooking), cups and plates.  We have served meatloaf, green beans, baked chicken, mashed potatoes…items that are easy to cook in bulk.  We also provide cookies or some form of dessert.  A lot of time the food is donated or discounted when the store or restaurant hears what you are doing with it.

The people in the shelter are so appreciative.  The staff is so organized.  They line up the women and children first, then let the men go through. I was extremely shocked as to how many mouths they feed daily.  You serve close to 500 people in 1 hour.

It would require a large group to put this event on due to the cost of feeding so many people. It is a great feeling and wonderful organization! You might be able to call and see if you could help another group.  I am sure they could always use the extra hands.

Thanks Courtney! Keep making your community a better place!

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Courtney Couch
Austin Street Centre
http://www.austinstreet.org/
October 31, 2011
No.  I usually go 4 times a year

Suzanne helps abused and neglected children in a myriad of ways – during the holidays and year-round!

Name: Suzanne (http://twitter.com/globetrottgirl)
Cause name: Kids in Distress
Cause website: http://www.kidinc.org/
First time volunteering with this cause? No

1. Please provide a short paragraph about your volunteer experience.

I hosted an event on behalf of Kids In Distress in December, however it wasn’t your typical “toy drive” which many organizations run that time of year. It was a “gift card” drive for the older children, or teens if you will, who are often times forgotten at Christmas time while everyone else is busy collecting toys. How does what you did while volunteering help the cause succeed? I volunteer on both a corporate and personal level. This particular event was sponsored by my company thus reaching a much broader spectrum of clients and donators alike. How’d you find out about the cause? I was invited to the annual Andy Roddick Foundation for Kids In Distress in ’02 and was moved beyond words. I have been a strong supporter of K.I.D. ever since. Are there different volunteer opportunities for different people within this cause? Yes, countless opportunities to get involved in your community programs on so many levels such as foster care, for example.

2. What were you expecting going into this volunteering event? To raise a [lot] of money. Did those expectations change at all once you were done volunteering? I’m never done volunteering. It keeps getting better and better and richer and more and more rewarding each year. I am happy being a part of the solution in helping abused and neglected children….watching these little lives transform. Thanks to those who have joined the crusade, this organization is able to meet their goals and objectives year after year while nurturing healthy, enriching permanent solutions in child development.

3. What was one thing you saw or did that you’ll remember from that volunteering event?

We set up our event outdoors, around Holiday time– just outside a busy shopping mall. The people walking by–total strangers, were ripping checks from their checkbooks to the tune of thousands of dollars after simply listening to some of the testimonials of how K.I.D. works hard every day in the prevention, intervention, and treatment of child abuse. With more than three million cases reported each year, more than one in 27 right here in Florida, passerby’s were moved enough to share. It was awesome.

4. As an “experienced” volunteer at this cause, what would you tell someone who’s interested in volunteering at this cause for the first time?

Get involved. You can really make a difference. It can transform lives.

5. Are there any additional items people should know about volunteering at this cause? (ie, age restrictions, physically strenuous, year-round opportunities, background checks, group opportunities, etc)

All of the above. All of their programs and services are designed specifically to give children and their families the tools, skills, services, and education they need to maintain a safe, stable, and healthy environment in which to thrive.

Thanks Suzanne! Keep making your community a better place!

*Editor’s note: Readers should check out Suzanne’s company Haute & Swagger

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Volunteering takes on many forms. Sarah helped with a fundraiser for a local wildlife association.

Name: Sarah
Cause Name: Wildlife Care Association
Cause website: wildlifecareassociation.com
Is this the first time volunteering for the cause: Yes

1. Please provide a short paragraph about your volunteer experience.

The event was a silent auction being held at a hotel in Sacramento. I helped with distributing silent bidding forms and pens to all the appropriate tables and by matching written descriptions to the items up for auction. There was approximately 300 items items up for auction and they were numbered but not placed in numerical order. The written descriptions were in numerical order so I walked the tables matching items to their descriptions.

2. What were you expecting going into this volunteering event? Did those expectations change at all once you were done volunteering?

I was expecting to be helping setting up tables/chairs/linens etc. I knew I was helping with the setting up of the event and that I wouldn’t be involved in the actual event. I planned to get a lot more dirty than I actually did.

3. What was one thing you saw or did today that you’ll remember from today’s volunteering event?

I didn’t get a chance to get really hands on with the actual cause itself which was kind of disappointing because I do love wildlife but I will always remember how many donations they received for the event. It’s nice to know that other people care about wildlife as much as I do.

4. As an “experienced” volunteer at this cause, what would you tell someone who’s interested in volunteering at this cause for the first time?

As an experienced volunteer I would advise others to expect organized chaos if they are volunteering for the set up committee. The director knows what she’s doing but there’s not a lot of direction being handed out. I would advise others to be proactive and ask what they can do to help.

5. Are there any additional items people should know about volunteering at this cause?

I did see a few children around but as far as setting up goes I would say it’s mostly an adult job. I personally didn’t do anything strenuous although I’m sure someone had to set up the tables and bring in all the items for auction. There were no background checks required and anyone could basically walk in and lend a hand.

Thanks Sarah! Keep helping your community become a better place!

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Stephanie, Kristin, and their colleagues cooked breakfast and lunch for sick children and their families at the Ronald McDonald House of Dallas.

Your name: Stephanie

Cause name: Moroch Partners Media Outreach / Coordinators: Stephanie Ward (email) and Kristin Arthur (email)

Cause website: http://www.rmhdallas.org/how-you-can-help/volunteer/

Is this your first time volunteering with this cause? We had a team volunteer with Ronald McDonald House several years ago, but most of our volunteers were new and had not had this experience before.

Questions

1. Please provide a short paragraph about your volunteer experience.

We volunteered to provide, prepare and serve both breakfast and lunch for one day to the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House while they have children undergoing treatment at area hospitals.  We organized two teams of 12 people each to plan a menu, shop for food and cook these meals.  The overwhelming majority of services this House provides are made possible by volunteers and donations.  This was an opportunity for our group to provide a warm meal and a smile to those families that are going through an extremely difficult time in their lives.  The Ronald McDonald House is a free place to stay for qualifying families of sick children.  We were glad to show our support and be a part of such a wonderful cause.

2. What were you expecting going into this volunteering event? Did those expectations change at all once you were done volunteering?

To be honest, we did not know what to expect!  We went into the event with open minds and open hearts.  I was very impressed with the kitchen, the tools, the systems and the organization they had in place.  The Ronald McDonald House makes it as easy as possible for volunteers to come in and do the job efficiently, as well as offering a comfortable, warm and friendly environment.  It was relaxed and fun!

3. What was one thing you saw or did today that you’ll remember from today’s volunteering event?

One of the full-time House volunteers gave us a tour once our meal was complete and we had finished cleaning up after ourselves.  It is an amazing place and the services provided to these families is incomparable.  It was touching to see the attention to detail given so that families could truly call it a home away from home.

4. As an “experienced” volunteer at this cause, what would you tell someone who’s interested in volunteering at this cause for the first time?

I would reinforce to them that this was a very positive experience and that you will undoubtedly take away more than you give.  Don’t let cooking a meal for a large amount of people be intimidating!  It is not really too challenging and ends up being a great way to bond with your group.  The Ronald McDonald House operates with an extremely low income, so it is quite inspiring to see such a wonderful place function on the giving spirit of others!

5. Are there any additional items people should know about volunteering at this cause?

The House asks that you keep your group to a limit of 12 people for meals.  We formed two groups (one for breakfast and one for lunch) so that 24 of us could participate.  It is also recommended that you do not come if you are feeling ill or under the weather.  These families are around very sick children and we would not want to pass on anything harmful to them.  Three meals are provided to the approximately 50-70 guests of the house each day, so there is a great need for food and volunteers to prepare it.  There are also opportunities to host activities or events in the evenings.  They have had anything from movie nights to ice cream socials which call for a group of about 5 max volunteers.

Thank you Stephanie and Kristin! Keep helping to make your community a better place!

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Casey provided healthy food directly to underprivileged families and gained a valuable new understanding about those in need.

Your name: Casey Kirk, http://www.twitter.com/caserface
Cause name: Sacramento Food Bank & Family Services
Cause website: http://www.sacramentofoodbank.org/
Is this your first time volunteering with this cause? Yes for this specific type of event but not my first time with the organization.

1. Please provide a short paragraph about your volunteer experience.

I bagged and distributed fruits and vegetables through SFBFS’ mobile food distribution program. I was handing the food directly to the clients and that was really special because I got to see a direct result of volunteering my time; the look of gratitude on the faces of people who would have to otherwise go without food.

I have worked with the food bank through my job (Sac Press) on several different events know the staff very well. The food bank has many different opportunities available and has ongoing volunteer orientations during different days and times so it’s really convenient to get involved.
2. What were you expecting going into this volunteering event? Did those expectations change at all once you were done volunteering?

There wasn’t really any expectation that I had but I think there are two common misconceptions about food distributions through food banks and I was pleasantly surprised to reaffirm that this wasn’t the case:

1.  There is a stereotype of unkempt homeless people, addicted to drugs or alcohol and milking the system (not trying to get a job, receiving help from multiple resources, etc.) in order to feed their habit.  SFBFS’ clients are families just like you and me that are down on their luck and just want to provide for their families.  We all might be working with or know someone who has received help from SFBFS.  Poverty affects more than we think.

2.  Another stereotype is that the food bank’s give out canned food.  While there were some cans in sight, the food bank really focused on putting healthy items on the tables of their clients. They also distribute recipes, offer cooking lessons, etc. so they know how to prepare the food they are receiving. We distributed more fruits and vegetables than I can even remember and it was great knowing that recipients weren’t going to fill up on a bunch of empty carbs and sugar that will give them health problems and will leave them even more hungry in the end.

3. What was one thing you saw or did today that you’ll remember from today’s volunteering event?

Seeing children helping their parents carry the food they received.  It’s hard enough to know that adults go hungry but to see children really made an impact.  I slept better knowing that those families would have a warm meal on their table that night but couldn’t help but think of how many others still need assistance.

4. As an “experienced” volunteer at this cause, what would you tell someone who’s interested in volunteering at this cause for the first time?

To remember how delicate the recipients are.  Some of the clients might have never had to ask for help before and I think it’s important to remember this, especially since volunteers are communicating directly with the recipients.

5. Are there any additional items people should know about volunteering at this cause?

They do offer group opportunities and all volunteers should  be 18.  Volunteers are required to attend volunteer orientations beforehand but in a time crunch can ask the food bank about a one time volunteer opportunity.

Thank you Casey! I hope you’ve inspired others to join you volunteering in your community!

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Kirk and his crew found themselves humbled after helping their local community center with many valuable tasks.

Your name: Kirk

Cause name: Round Rock Area Serving Center

Cause website url: https://www.rrasc.org/index.php

Is this your first time volunteering with this cause? No — have volunteered there before with a group & with my wife and kids

A short story about a great previous volunteering experience at this facility: Page 111 at the Batcave

1. Please provide a short paragraph about your volunteer experience.

Our Austin group volunteered at the Round Rock Area Serving Center, which provides a food pantry, Coats for Kids, community gardens, thrift store, adult computer classes, & financial assistance for utilities, prescriptions, rent, and other needs to area families.  In 2010, over 55,000+ under-privileged, low-income people, and families-in-crisis were assisted at the Serving Center,. The food pantry assisted over 4,200 households last year.

Our group of 12 did a number of things, from receiving donations to sorting through many dozens of bags of donated clothing and other donations.  We unloaded the food trucks and stocked the food pantry pantry shelves with everything from frozen meats to cans to staples like flour and breakfast foods.

2. What were you expecting going into this volunteering event? Did those expectations change at all once you were done volunteering?

We spent the early morning to after the noon hour at the Center.  In the afternoon, our group went to lunch together and discussed our experience.  We all work for a high tech firm, so it isn’t usual for us to to see the needy and disadvantaged in our daily lives.  We all agreed that we felt humbled with the experience, and that it is remarkably easy to lose sight of the sections of our society who are really struggling.

3. What was one thing you saw or did today that you’ll remember from today’s volunteering event?

Mothers with small children, elderly folks, and older singles and couples obviously caring for grandchildren patiently waiting their term to select a couple of bags of groceries.

There is a large bread rack at the front of the facility where local grocery stores donate their older bakery items, and we saw dozens of disadvantaged folks come in to select a couple of loaves of bread — and literally every person graciously thanking the Center staff while doing so.

4. As an “experienced” volunteer at this cause, what would you tell someone who’s interested in volunteering at this cause for the first time?

Just do it!  They make volunteering easy, and they need help.  It took 10 of our group almost 3 hours to unload the food trucks and stock all of the donations in the food pantry, which is the size of a small market.  If we had not have shown up that day, it would have taken the regular volunteers a much longer time… so you are needed!

5. Are there any additional items people should know about volunteering at this cause? Nope!

Thank you Kirk! Glad you and your team were able to help those less fortunate!

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Angela goes to the homeless shelter to paint and ends up finding a long-term volunteer opportunity!

Your name: Angela

Cause name: It was organized through United Way Day of Caring; the organization I worked through was Catholic Charities of Santa Rosa.

Cause website url: http://www.unitedwaywinecountry.org/ ; http://www.srcharities.org/services/family-support-center.html

painting at the homeless shelter

Is this your first time volunteering with this cause? No, I’ve volunteered during Day of Caring four times.

Questions

1. Please provide a short paragraph about your volunteer experience.  I have been donating to the United Way for several years; this is an annual event. I was assigned to a homeless shelter and painted the fences of the temporary housing and helped paint a mural in the children’s play yard. Making the place look nicer helps the families take pride in where they live and improves their quality of life while they’re trying to get back on their feet. There are a multitude of volunteer opportunities at the shelter: Reading to or tutoring the children, teaching job skills to the adults, yard work, donating items and much more.

2. What were you expecting going into this volunteering event? Did those expectations change at all once you were done volunteering?  I expected to go in and paint, clean up and learn a little about the organization. I ended up getting a full tour of the facility and really learned about what they do. I was inspired to come back and do more.

3. What was one thing you saw or did today that you’ll remember from today’s volunteering event?  Every little bit helps. Donating ONE DRESS can make a huge difference. They teach job skills to the adults and help them get interviews, but what do they wear? A nice outfit gives them so much confidence. I went back later and with the help of my friends and colleagues, donated about 20 bags of professional clothing.

4. As an “experienced” volunteer at this cause, what would you tell someone who’s interested in volunteering at this cause for the first time? I would tell them to keep their eyes open for ways they can help, don’t just complete your task and go home. People tend to think that because they don’t have any special skills like carpentry or teaching math, that they can’t help. But even reading a bedtime story to a group of children helps so much, and just about anyone can do that.

5. Are there any additional items people should know about volunteering at this cause? I don’t know of any restrictions for this cause. There will always be physical labor to be done, but people of any age or physical ability can go in and read to the kids or donate books or clothing.

Thanks Angela! Keep serving those less fortunate and continue making your community a better place.

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Nina and her hubby help dance the night away for a long time and a really great cause.

Name:  Nina Gibson

Cause name:  Mira Loma Dance Marathon supporting the UC Davis Children’s Hospital

Cause website url: http://miralomadancemarathon.tk/ and http://www.childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org

Is this your first time volunteering with this cause? No

1. Please provide a short paragraph about your volunteer experience.

My husband has a sound and light business and DJs special events on the side.  We were only too happy to provide those services (along with some chaperoning) for the 2011 Dance Marathon at Mira Loma High School.

Our involvement was somewhat crucial to the event’s success because the participants dance for 6 hours.  Dancers registration is $25 per student and each dancer can also be sponsored by individuals or organizations (by the hour).

I became involved with this particular event through a relationship that has developed over the years with UC Davis Children’s Hospital and Children’s Miracle Network.  In my professional life, I am the liaison between our radio group and the UC Davis Children’s Hospital.  This particular opportunity to help came about after meeting with the very enthusiastic committee in 2010 who was looking for support that would help them raise and save money by reaching out to various available to the UCDMC.  While there are many volunteer opportunities with Children’s Miracle Network and UC Davis Children’s Hospital, this particular event is limited to Mira Loma High School students.  

2. What were you expecting going into this volunteering event? Did those expectations change at all once you were done volunteering?

I was expecting for a long day and a lot of fun.  While the event requires more than a 12 hour time investment, it is always amazing to see the student leadership come together for a cause that they believe so deeply in.

3. What was one thing you saw or did today that you’ll remember from today’s volunteering event?

Mira Loma students invited the 2011 Champion Child, Parmina (http://childrensmiraclenetworkhospitals.org/About/Champions/CA) as their special guest.  Parmina is an 11 year old girl with a lot of courage and strength.  It was such a wonderful feeling to see the high school students take her under their wing and show her a great time!  They were really able to make her and her grandmother feel welcome and included.  There was even a point in the evening when Parmina was playing a crazy game of tag with only boys and they all took such great care of her.

4. As an “experienced” volunteer at this cause, what would you tell someone who’s interested in volunteering at this cause for the first time?

I would tell someone that this is truly a unique opportunity to see young leadership at work.  Often times, we only hear about all that is wrong with teenagers and youth.  Watching these kids work together to put on such a large scale event with little “adult” involvement reminds me that there are a lot of positive things going on in our own community – every day.  Mira Loma is the ONLY school in California that has tackled a dance marathon.  Not only are dance marathons very popular in the south, they are primarily put on by college students.

5. Are there any additional items people should know about volunteering at this cause?

As previously mentioned, there are many ways to volunteer and help your local Children’s Miracle Network hospital.  This particular event is only open to Mira Loma High School students.

Thanks Nina – keep making our community a better place!

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Jason helps low-income families in his community go green and gains a valuable new perspective, in addition to a possible new career path.

Name: Jason

Cause Website: www.gridalternatives.org/

“GRID Alternatives’ mission is to empower communities in need by providing renewable energy and energy efficiency services, equipment and training. We believe making energy choices that are good for the environment can go hand-in-hand with improving the lives of those living in low-income communities. GRID Alternatives works collaboratively with communities and local organizations to identify specific needs and to develop renewable energy solutions that are environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.”

I had a very interesting experience. What I was volunteering for was to help install solar systems for low income housing. I have had an interest in Solar and renewable energy for quite some time.

I have had a strong interest in Alternative Energy and feel we need to move away from oil. With that in mind, and since I am in between jobs (about to embark on a 4 month job, starting December 25th with the Harlem Globetrotters), I decided to learn as much as I can about Solar before I leave. This nonprofit solar company Grid Alternatives was willing to let us learn as much as we want through volunteering. My plan is to learn as much as I can about this expanding, and rapidly growing industry, and to persue a job in this field when I return from the tour in April.

With this particular experience, I learned that there are a lot of people who love to volunteer. There is a lot of good that can come from putting in Solar. It was a fantastic experience, the company was very personable, professional, and really valued the contributions of its members.

I worked a total of 14 hours, Nov 28th and Nov 29th 2011 in the Templeton CA area. I went into this experience with no preconceived notions of what to expect, or what I would gain from my volunteering. If at the very least, I was working for a great cause and i was helping others in need.

I plan to volunteer with these guys at least one more time before I leave, because you cannot get this kind of knowledge any other way – for free. You see, they get my work for free – I get to do on-the-job-learning. You really cannot get that kind of experience from schooling and books alone.

Thanks Jason – keep making our community a better place and GO TROTTERS!

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Ushma volunteers her time and her car’s gas to help feed needy families in her community.

Name: Ushma

Cause website: http://www.mealsonwheels.org

1. Please provide a short paragraph about your volunteer experience.

I enjoy seeing the folks on my Friday route. There are old, young, and in between that get their meals delivered.

2. What were you expecting going into this volunteering event? Did those expectations change at all once you were done volunteering?

I had done my homework, and so expectations were met.

3. What was one thing you saw or did today that you’ll remember from today’s volunteering event?

Some of the people’s smile, cause they recognize, and you may be the only person that they see that day!

4. As an “experienced” volunteer at this cause, what would you tell someone who’s interested in volunteering at this cause for the first time? 

It’s fun, lots of driving, and always remember, on the cold rainy days, you get paid “double”! 

5. Are there any additional items people should know about volunteering at this cause?

Must be able to drive.  Need to be able to lift coolers, with meals and drinks.  Meals have to be delivered, regardless of weather conditions.

Thanks Ushma – keep making our community a better place!

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