Disaster Relief Volunteer Work

It is unfortunate that disasters have become more common in our area.  We are fortunate, however, to live in an area where people have been known to literally, “give the shirt off their back” for those in need. When a disaster strikes, people feel the need to help those effected and we at The Volunteer Center are at the forefront of the volunteer coordination efforts.  In the event of a disaster, we partner with several other agencies to establish a VRC (Volunteer Reception Center), a central location for those who wish to volunteer to report.  Our efforts then focus on placing volunteers where they are needed, based on their skills and needs of the effected areas.

If you are interested in being placed on a list of volunteers that will be contacted in the event of a disaster, click here.  Please create a profile on ihelpchattanooga.org if you haven’t already, and ensure that all of your information stays up to date.  We appreciate all you do for those that need your help! 

 

Volunteer Opportunities in the Great Outdoors

We are lucky to live in (or near) the city of Chattanooga. There are so many fantastic things to do outside and this time of year is perfect for being outdoors. Trail running (or walking), rock climbing, water sports, hang gliding- you name the outdoor activity and Chattanooga probably has it!
Have you seen the volunteer opportunities we have listed right now that can get you into the sunshine? Click on the links below to get signed up for the opportunity that sounds most fun to you!
This weekend, Historic Engel Stadium will be opening its doors to the public and they need some help cleaning up the bleachers.
The Engel Foundation also needs a few volunteers at the grand re-opening- an afternoon of fun including old fashioned games, an illusionist and an organist!
4 Bridges Arts Festival– one of the country’s premiere arts events- needs volunteers to help out down at the Tennessee Pavilion.
Signal Centers is asking for volunteers to do some hand weeding, light landscaping and planting- an opportunity that allows very young children to get involved.
Chattanooga’s Kids on the Block are hosting “Do the Derby…Chattanooga Style” and need volunteers to make this event the most successful yet!
HubFest 2013 benefits “Friends of East Brainerd” and is held at the beautiful Heritage Park. A great opportunity for youth and scout groups.
As always, go to ihelpchattanooga.org and look at all of our opportunities to sign up for what interests you most!

Day of Caring 2013

United Way’s Annual Day of Caring is set for September 12, 2013. Day of Caring is about volunteers uniting to make an impact at a local level. Last year, a huge impact was made across the area when over 600 volunteers came together. We are looking forward to even more volunteers this year!
The following article by Susan Pierce of the Chattanooga Times Free Press summarizes what was accomplished last year through Day of Caring and other efforts by United Way’s Volunteer Center and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP).

Volunteers gave 100,000 hours in 2012
by Susan Pierce

Saturday, March 30, 2013

Tennessee is nicknamed the Volunteer State, and Chattanooga’s volunteers certainly live up to that standard.
Last year, 12,224 volunteers representing two volunteer organizations — the United Way’s Volunteer Center and the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program — together donated 100,292 hours to area nonprofits.
If a monetary value were assigned that free labor, using the Independent Sector’s estimation of $21.79 per hour, then those volunteers made more than a $2.1 million impact on their city’s quality of life.
In just one day during 2012, the United Way’s Volunteer Center logged one of the largest single volunteer events in its history, according to United Way spokeswoman Kelley Nave. That milestone occurred, Nave said, when Unum sent 200 volunteers to clean up the grounds of Camp Adahi.
“Our 2012 Day of Caring sent [volunteers from] 30 companies to 35 organizations. More than 600 volunteers contributed approximately 3,600 hours, at a value of more than $78,000,” she said.
Overall, 11,798 people placed by the United Way Volunteer Center donated 35,757 hours in 2012.
Nave noted that although there were just over 600 more volunteers in 2012 than 2011, there were 1,586 more hours worked in 2011. This can be attributed, United Way officials said, to the number of volunteer hours invested in the recovery from spring 2011 tornadoes.
Jamie Gavlenski, program coordinator for the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, said 426 volunteers served anywhere from one hour to the 1,996 hours given by one individual. RSVP is sponsored by Alexian Brothers Ministries and operates from the Senior Neighbors center on 10th Street.
“Our volunteers range in age from 55 into their 90s,” said Gavlenski. “Their average age is 73. The majority of RSVP members volunteer three to four hours per week. However, 13 percent volunteer five to 10 hours per week and 6 percent volunteer from 11 to 30 hours per week.”
Gavlenski said RSVP is designed to provide meaningful opportunities to retired or semiretired people ages 55 and older, while relieving the financial burdens many nonprofits feel.
“If you ask why they volunteer, many of their answers are the same: They enjoy getting out of the house and meeting new people and trying new activities. They also find great personal satisfaction in helping their community,” said Gavlenski.

National Volunteer Week: Celebrating People in Action

National Volunteer Week was established by President Richard Nixon in 1974.  Every sitting U.S. president since Nixon has issued a proclamation during National Volunteer Week urging Americans to give their time by volunteering in their communities.  The original emphasis on celebration has widened since President Nixon’s executive order proclaiming National Volunteer Week.  The week is now a nationwide effort to encourage people to volunteer.

National Volunteer Week is sponsored by the Points of Light Institute.  The institute’s name comes from President George H.W. Bush’s inaugural speech, urging volunteers and activists to become “a thousand points of light”.  In 2007, the Points of Light Institute joined with the HandsOn Network to create the largest volunteer management organization in the country.  We at The Volunteer Center are proud to be a HandsOn Affiliate! To read more about Points of Light and the HandsOn Network, click here. 

To celebrate National Volunteer Week 2013, The Volunteer Center, DOVIA and the Corporate Volunteer Council, are hosting a Volunteer Appreciation Banquet.  Please join us at Unum’s Atrium in the West Building on Tuesday night, April 23 from 6:00 to 8:00.  For reservations, click here.