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!

Please leave a comment below.

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!

Please leave a comment below.

Jessica is passionate about animals and shares her experiences with a local cause at which she volunteers regularly.

Name: Jessica, http://www.twitter.com/InvitationsInk

Cause website: www.HappyTails.org

Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary Holiday Mailing
Our mission – to collate, stuff, and seal over 30,000 holiday mailers in one afternoon. Yeah, that did not happen (Happy Tails normally sends out about 3,500 mailers, but this year they received the mailing list from a very generous business owner and supporter.) With 20 volunteers throughout the 12 hours that day, we maybe hit the 1/3 mark…yikes, right!? We kept at it the next day for 14 hours, and then finally the next day we finished up almost exactly at 2pm for a total of about 32 total hours.

We had so many great volunteers, some were there every day for hours, some came for just one hour, some were young, some were old, one sweet elderly lady was legally blind, but every single minute they were there mattered and I’ll tell you why – Our deadline to get the mailers sent out before Thanksgiving was 2pm and our fully loaded trucks skidded into the mail house literally minutes after 2pm and just in time to make our deadline!

Thanks so much to Travis Pollock, Rashell Choo, Christina Roberts, Melanie Fisher-Balog and her niece, Evey Fisher for all coming out when I frantically begged for help, along with all the dedicated volunteers who always find time to help!

1. What were you expecting going into the event? An afternoon of stuffing and sealing envelopes in a house full of the usual volunteers.

2. What was one thing you saw or did today that you’ll remember from today’s event? I will always remember that every person who volunteers their time, whether it’s 30 hours or 1 hour, really and truly matters. It’s never too little, it all makes a difference.

3. Would you volunteer with this organization again? Yes, I volunteer here regularly on the eventscommittee and with special events.

More about Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary

Happy Tails Pet Sanctuary was Sacramento’s First No-Kill Animal Shelter, established in 1993. Over 200 volunteers help keep Happy Tails doing what it does best – saving lives. Animals are rescued (typically from drastic situations), provided with vet care, given a safe, loving environment and then placed in a carefully screened permanent home. All Happy Tails animals have the safety net of being returned at any time for any reason, that’s just how much they care about their animals.

Ways to help:

Always in need of foster home volunteers and adoption counselors
Answer voicemail (each person covers a certain shift once a week or so)
Clean up at the center (this includes play time with the kitties as well)
Special events & fundraising
Follow-up Phone calls to customers
Junior Volunteers can help clean up and socialize with the cats (ages 12-17)

Wishlist can be found at http://www.happytails.org/wish-list/

Volunteer informaion
Patricia L. Holmes Adoption Center
6001 Folsom Blvd.
Sacramento, CA  95819
(916) 556-1155
purrball@happytails.org

Open Wed – Sun from Noon – 6pm

Adults can volunteer by emailing happytailsvolunteers@yahoo.com to register for an orientation meeting

Juniors can volunteer by emailing happytailsjuniors@gmail.com to register for an orientation meeting

Samantha had only planned to participate in an Alzheimer’s walk but ended up volunteering much more support on many levels.

Name: Samantha

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

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

I initially only planned on walking in the “Walk to End Alzheimer’s”.   I tried to raise money by asking friends and family, but then decided that I could exponentially increase the donations by hosting a fun event in a local bar.  My best friend and I teamed to get items donated for our raffle and silent auction, and we ended up raising over $8,000!  All donations go toward research, support for those with the disease and their families, and ultimately to help find a cure!

There are several different opportunities throughout the year with the Alzheimer’s Association of Greater Dallas. Please see below.

Office Administrative Work: Help with office activities such as answering the phone, stuffing envelopes, copying materials, folding letters, distributing materials, gathering information on county services and assisting in the recruitment of volunteers.

Health Fairs: Increase awareness of the Alzheimer’s Association by attending health fairs to staff a booth, provide handout information, and interact one on one with members of the community.

Helpline Specialist: Provide information and referral to patients, caregivers and professional providers via the phone. Requires interview with a Helpline/ Resource Coordinator, and you must be available to work a 3 hour shift each week.

Public Policy: Be involved with public policy issues by attending legislative hearings and participating in meetings with legislators in your local community as well as in Austin and Washington, D.C.

Speaker’s Bureau: The Association provides speakers for presentations on various aspects of Alzheimer’s disease. If you have good presentation skills and enjoy speaking to groups, this could be for you!

Special Events: There are two ways to become involved with our special events.  Be on a committee for a special event and help the Association raise the funds it needs to serve the community, or volunteer for the day of the event run smoothly.

Support Group Facilitators:  Hold meetings to provide emotional support and information sharing for family members and caregivers.

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

Honestly, I was not really expecting much, but only because I was just planning on participating in the walk.  The great thing about working with Alzheimer’s Association is that you can do as little to as much as you want while volunteering.  As I started learning more about the disease and organization, the more time I wanted to spend volunteering. 

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

It is amazing how many people have been directly affected by the disease and it was a great feeling to be doing something to help the cause.

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 was not an experienced volunteer at this cause, but I will continue to work with them each year. I would let them know that every little bit counts, and that just alittle time can really make a difference.

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

Not that I am aware of.  There are year- round opportunities for people of all ages.

Thank you Samantha – keep making our community a better place!

Please leave a comment below.

Amy and her 4½ year old daughter Lily share their experience volunteering with House Lighting/Donating wish list items for the Kiwanis Family House and Bell Ringing for the Salvation Army on behalf of the Greater Sacramento Kiwanis Club

Your name: Amy and Lily (4 ½ years old)

Cause name: Kiwanis Family House / Greater Sacramento Kiwanis Club

Cause website url: www.kiwanisfamilyhouse.org and www.greatersackiwanis.com

Is this your first time volunteering with this cause? No – I am a member of the Kiwanis Club and have spent 7 years donating money and time to different causes.  Most of the fundraisers we do as a club, the money goes to the Kiwanis Family House.  This is the first year that Lily did bell ringing.

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

For the House Lighting, this is the second year but the first time I attended.  We were asked to bring items that the guests of the house needed (like detergent, paper towels, deodarant, etc.).  Lily helped picked out the items and then attended the house lighting.  The ticket money collected all went to the Kiwanis Family House.

For the bell ringing, our club has been bell ringing for as long as I have been in the club.  We take a Friday and Saturday and divide shifts.  Lily and I had a Saturday morning shift.  I explained to her prior to arriving at the grocery store location the purpose of ringing the Salvation Army bell.  I think she understood – as much as a 4 year old could!  We practiced saying “Merry Christmas” and “Thank you for your help” once donations were made.   

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

I didn’t have any expectations for either event since I have volunteered for both causes before.  However, I was a little worried about Lily not be able to make it through the whole shift but she was a trooper!  I took over the bell ringing duties and she handed out candy canes to kids.

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

I will remember the smiles that Lily got and the admiration that she was learning about volunteering at an early age.  Not only am I her Mom, I am a role model and try to lead by example.  Any family friendly volunteering events that I can take part in, I bring along my girls.

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?

Don’t let the ones who don’t say “HI” back or run quickly by you because they don’t want to donate get you down or make you feel like a failure.  Keep smiling, saying hello/merry christmas/have a great day and spread good cheer.  There are giving and caring people out there!

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

Our club always can use help for our fundraisers!  We work together with our sponsored youth (Key Clubs, K-Kids) to help with our different events.  We also partner together to help on different projects – like cleaning up the creek area around the Discovery Museum (Lily worked that with me too).  Non members are ALWAYS welcome to help – of all ages.  The Kiwanis Family House uses volunteers and they could use man power and supplies.

Thanks Amy and Lily – keep making our community a better place!

Please leave a comment below.

Your name: Erik Jorgensen, http://www.twitter.com/All_AmERIKan

Cause name: North Texas Food Bank, volunteer coordinator Lydia Rudy, 214.330.1396.

Cause website url: http://www.ntfb.org/gi_volunteer.cfm

Is this your first time volunteering with this cause? Yes, first time volunteering here in Texas!

CBS Radio at North Texas Food Bank

Questions

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

My employer, CBS Radio, gave us the opportunity to volunteer with the North Texas Food Bank (NTFB) and I figured it’d be a great way to meet some new coworkers while helping a great cause in the community. We all arrived at 9am and met in the staging area. The volunteer coordinator told us our responsibilities and we split up into two groups. We all would be packing boxes of donated foods. One group would be packing boxes from packaged bulk items, and the other group (my group) would be packing boxes from assorted donated items. Thus, we had to sort the food items first, then pack them into the boxes which would then be provided to needy families throughout the area.

We took our posts at various stages throughout the process and quickly found a way to make our task efficient. I spent most of the time making the boxes that would hold all the food. It was here I got to meet Raul, one of the many admins in the CBS family. He also entertains a lot of our clients at Cowboys Stadium so we spent a lot of time talking about the Cowboys, music, and Dallas in general. As I looked around, I could see everyone sharing smiles and having a good time at such a worthy cause.

Us, working hard.

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

Having volunteered at food banks before, I was expecting to work hard preparing food boxes for needy families. I also had hoped to meet some new people both at the Food Bank and my fellow colleagues. I was grateful to meet a couple new people while helping a great cause.

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

That all told, our volunteers packed more than 30,000 pounds of food! This will help provide more than 20,000 meals for needy families!

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?

Dress in loose fitting clothes and prepare to get a workout in! And also have fun! It is really a great time.

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

There is a pretty fair amount of strenuous activity involved, but nothing too exhausting. Volunteers should sign up through the website. They offer group and corporate opportunities in addition to single volunteer opportunities.