#TisTheSeason Special Donation Drive, and Holiday Banquet @ 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter, Fri 12/25

(It has been a while since my last post; Grad School got in the way! I am at Case Western Reserve University studying for my Master’s in Positive Organizational Development and Change…makes sense, right?!)

It is the time of year once again to give back in an extra special way! In “Very Rare” fashion, I have decided to take up another collection of scarves/hats/gloves/socks for the residents of 2100 Lakeside Emergency Men’s Shelter in downtown Cleveland. I will be dropping off a first batch of donations Friday December 11th, and will drop off a second batch Friday December 25th. For those who want to help out with monetary donations, you can send $1 donations to my PayPal account at vrere@aol.com. Please use the ‘friends & family’ option so you are not hit with a fee. Also please note, if you are using a credit card and not a banking account you will be hit with a service fee through the credit card…if you have any questions please send me a message through social media (I’m on the major ones LOL) or email me at ‘Vreredai@gmail.com’ THANK YOU to those who have contributed already!!!

In addition to this drive I am doing for the season, Lutheran Metropolitan Ministry is having its annual Holiday Banquet over at the shelter (2100 Lakeside) on Friday December 25th from 12pm to 5pm. Many food/non-food donations are needed including:
-New Children’s Toys (the men of the shelter will be able to select these items to give to their children as presents)
-Men’s Clothing Items

Please refer to the flyer attached to this post for the list of food items that are needed; it’s a lot!

If you have donations and/or would like to come volunteer at the banquet, please email Terry Vaughn (tvaughn@lutheranmetro.org, 216-333-2430) or Carl Cook (carlcook2100@gmail.com, 216-376-0396) with the donations you would like to bring and the number of individuals attending and the times you plan to attend.

 

#VolunteerCLE Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities in October

I’ve had a few parents approach me asking for opportunities for their children to rack up some community service hours for school, so I thought I would share a few upcoming ways to give some of your time back before the Cleveland weather we have all come to love (did I spell hate wrong?! LOL) does its thing…if you have any questions about the contacts I’ve listed at the end of each opportunity in bold, let me know!

On Thursday October 1st, help middle school and high school students with their math homework after school at the University Heights branch. Under the supervision of library staff, volunteers will be available at least one hour a week to help students with their math homework on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Volunteers must be age 18 or older and must submit to a background check, and must have demonstrated experience working with high school students and/or math tutoring experience.
Volunteers must be available at least one hour a week at a predetermined time after school at the University Heights branch, and commit to helping through the full school year. Contact Julia Murphy at JMurphy@heightslibrary.org.

Sunday morning, October 11^th is the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk taking place at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. Many volunteers are needed, and responsibilities include:
-check in tent
-route marshalls
-water stop
-food and beverage set up
-banking
If interested, please email Christine Grapo at ClevlelandOHStrides@cancer.org

Saturday morning, October 17^th is the Out Of The Darkness Community Walk with the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention at Wade Oval in University Circle. Many volunteers are needed for this also. You can register as a volunteer HERE or reach out to Emily Siegel at afspcle@gmail.com

On Tuesday October 20th, volunteers can help give out fresh produce with the Cuyahoga County Department of Public Health. This opportunity takes place the 3rd Tuesday of each month from 3:30pm-6:30pm at the J. Glen Smith Mobil Food Pantry (11100 St. Clair Ave. Cleveland OH 44108). Connect with Kathy Rothenberg-James at krothenberg@city.cleveland.oh.us or at 216-664-2362. *This is a great opportunity for students in need of community service hours and happens once a month!

Saturday evening, October 24^th is the Halloween Boo-tanical Bash at Cleveland Botanical Gardens. Volunteers are needed to pass out candy to trick-or-treaters; assist with crafts, activities, or games; face paint and help pass out snacks & cider to guests. **They also are in need of volunteers to help set up for the Holiday Show taking place the week before Thanksgiving, November 21^st-25^th. Contact Sarah Hartley-Volunteer Coordinator at 216-707-2822 or shartley@cbgarden.org

Saturday evening, November 21^st is the fundraiser for PAWS-Public Animal Welfare Society at St Michael Woodside Party Center in Broadview Heights. They are looking for help with the reverse raffle/silent auction that night during the dinner. Volunteers will be shown what to do when they arrive. Please contact Susan Boyle-Treasurer at treasurerpawsohio@yahoo.com for additional information.

Win a FREE Registration to the Single Moms Conference, Sat 10/24

Calling All Cleveland area Single Moms!!!

The ladies (including myself!) of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated – Kappa Gamma Sigma (KGS) Chapter, have put together an opportunity for single moms to win a FREE registration for the upcoming Single Moms Conference taking place Saturday October 24th, at the Galleria at Erieview (Cafe Sausalito-1301 E. 9th Street, Cleveland OH 44114).

The Singe Moms Conference, hosted by Cleveland Young Lives & From Lemons to Lemonade, is designed to create a network of support for the single mothers across Northeast Ohio. Attendees can expect and entire day of motivation, inspiration, and encouragement toward positive change. The conference theme is “We’re All In This Together!”

KGS wants to hear from YOU for a chance to win one (1) of FIVE event registrations being donated by the sorority chapter! To enter, please email KGSCommunityService@gmail.com your name, email and phone number; and in 150 words or less please tell us why you want to attend and what you hope to take from the conference. Submissions are due by Sunday October 11th at 11:59PM. The chapter will then select five (5) winners to be notified Friday October 16th. One entry per household please.

Please spread the word, and if you have any questions please email KGSCommunityService@gmail.com!
I want to thank my Sorority chapter Kappa Gamma Sigma for agreeing to support such a great community event (Greater Service, Greater Progress of course!), and Frechic Dickson-Founder and President of From Lemons To Lemonade for connecting with me….Good Luck! 🙂

#VolunteerCLE Run For Recovery Volunteering (Final Details) Sat 8/22

First I want to thank those who have decided to come volunteer with me! I appreciate that you feel like doing something simple to give back and the participants will be grateful! I am still looking for a few more people who would like to help out Saturday August 22nd at Progressive Field for the Run For Recovery held at Progressive Field. Here are final details and the schedule for the event:

Volunteers will assist Peace Racing with the set-up, maintenance and breakdown of a water stop. Volunteers will ensure participants receive water and will help maintain a smooth traffic flow to avoid congestion near the water stop. Volunteers should cheer participants on as well!
Team: Vrere Bunkley and friends 🙂
 Time: 7:30am-10:30am
Location: Outside Stadium – East 9th and Carnegie
Check In/Volunteer Assignment:
Please check-in at the information/volunteer station upon your arrival to receive your assignment and t-shirt. Please try to arrive a few minutes before you scheduled shift time.
Entrance is at Gate A off Eagle Ave. (Home Run Porch)

Timeline
7:00 am Packet Pickup/Registration Opens
8:15 am Welcome
8:30 am Kids’ Fun Run begins
8:45 am 5k Run begins
9:15 am 1 mile Wellness Walk begins
10:00 am Awards Ceremony
10:30 am Raffle Prize Drawing

#WheresVrere NAMIWalks 2015, Saturday 8/29 (Donation Link and Volunteer Opportunity)

Once again, I am participating in the National Alliance on Mental Illness (Greater Cleveland) NAMIWalks. I will be raising money that will go towards maintaining local programming for persons affected by mental illness.

Here is my fundraising link. Last year I raised $120, more than I expected! Always appreciative by the support I receive, and I look forward to support again this year. The event takes place Saturday August 29th at Edgewater Park.

While I am walking, I won’t be volunteering…but NAMI Greater Cleveland is looking for help during the event. Responsibilities include but are not limited to set up, registration, greeters, photographers and breakdown. Families are also encouraged to come out and volunteer; children are asked to be 12 years and older. If you are interested you can contact Lisa Dellafiora at ldellafiora@namicleveland.org

#GetPumpedCLE Walk A Mile In Her Shoes, Thurs 9/24

The Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center is hosting its 3rd annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes event. On Thursday September 24th, men in the greater Cleveland area will come together and participate in a one mile walk around the Warehouse District downtown…while wearing women’s heels! Women and children are also encouraged to register and participate. There are several registration options available, which can all be found HERE. The money raised will help raise critical funds for Domestic Violence & Child Advocacy Center’s programs reaching over 40,000 individual’s in Cuyahoga County each year. After the walk, you are invited back to Dive Bar (1214 West 6th Street, Cleveland OH)

I am asking for all of my friends and family (ESPECIALLY THE MALES)  to come out and support an issue that is too visible in our communities but can be difficult to address. I decided to join the volunteer committee for DVCAC and help spread the word, and hopefully attract different audiences to the walk. If you need some help finding heels in your size please let me know!

“It’s not easy to walk a mile in heels, nor is it easy yo walk away from a relationship that involves domestic violence. Please come out and empower others by showing your support in their journey.”

Walk A Mile In Her Shoes Committee Meeting, Wed 7/29

The Domestic Violence and Child Advocacy Center is now in the beginning stages of planning its 3rd annual Walk A Mile In Her Shoes, an event giving men the opportunity to help raise awareness about violence against women.

The DVCAC will have a planning committee meeting on Wednesday July 29th at 8am, at their offices (2806 Payne Ave, Cleveland OH 44114). These volunteers will join in recruiting walkers, donations/sponsorships, planning process, etc.

If you are available to attend that morning, please email Sara Otts directly at sotts@dvcac.org.

*UPDATE* #VolunteerInCLE Where’s Vrere? Run For Recovery, Sat 8/22

****UPDATE****

I wanted to let you know of the upcoming Run for Recovery Kick-Off Rally happening Thursday July 23rd, 2015 at Music Box Supper Club (1148 Main Avenue
Cleveland, OH 44039), from 6pm-7pm. The event is FREE, and you can register HERE. I hope to see you there! 🙂

I know this is over a month away but I wanted to get a head start on seeing if others would like to volunteer with me. On Saturday August 22nd, I will help out once again with Recovery Resources’ annual Run For Recovery, taking place at Progressive Field. This event is put together by Recovery Resources, a nonprofit helping people triumph over mental illness, alcoholism, drug and other addictions. Additional event details can be found HERE.

I will be working a water stop along the route; nothing too challenging. If you would like to come along to volunteer with me please send a comment, or reach out to me via social media if we are connected; you can also send me email vreredai@gmail.com to let me know you want to help out. You can expect to volunteer between 8am-12pm (give or take 30 minutes).

#VolunteerInCLE 1-2-3 Read! Program and Homework Centers; Various Dates & Locations w/Cuyahoga County Public Library

This Summer, I will be tutoring first and second graders at risk of not reaching the state mandated Third Grade Reading Guarantee. I initially posted a status on Facebook to see if anyone wanted to help out, and there was a pretty good response so I am listing all additional details here.

1-2-3 Read! provides free one-on-one tutoring in reading skills and small group tutoring with literacy games.
This 1-2-3 Read! Program is at the Brooklyn, Garfield Heights, Maple Heights and Warrensville Heights branch libraries. There is a particular need at Garfield Heights and Maple Heights. The program starts June 29th and runs through August 6th.

During the summer, 1-2-3 Read! is offered 2 days a week, per location. The upcoming schedule is as follows:
Brooklyn: Tuesday & Thursday from 1:00-2:15pm
Garfield Heights: Monday & Tuesday from 12:45-2:00pm
Maple Heights: Tuesday & Thursday from 12:45-2:00pm
Warrensville Heights: Wednesday & Thursday from 1:00-2:15pm

Upcoming training times for 1-2-3 Read! being held at the Garfield Heights Library (5409 Turney Road) are:
Monday, June 22nd from 7-8:30pm
or
Sunday, June 28th from 2-3:30pm

There will also be 10 Homework Centers with a need for volunteers to help tutor students in Grades K-8 with their homework. Homework Centers are located at: Brookpark, Brooklyn, Garfield Hts., Maple Hts., North Olmsted, Parma, Richmond Hts., South Euclid, Southeast, Warrensville Hts.

If you have an interest in volunteering or know someone who does, an application form will need to be filled out. You can access that HERE.

Please feel free to connect with Nicole Joy Beleske, Volunteer Coordinator at 216-749-9400 or nbeleske@cuyahogalibrary.org to send your application and set up a training time.

 

#VolunteerInCLE Pop-Up Welcome Party, Sat 4/25

I wanted to share an opportunity brought to you by Destination Cleveland, a private non-profit organization whose mission is to drive economic impact and stimulate community vitality for Greater Cleveland through leisure and business travel. They provide a lot of ways for Clevelanders to show pride and to show those not so familiar all the city has to offer as a tourism spot:

On Saturday morning, April 25th, we will be holding a Pop-Up Welcome Party for a group of students from Canada touring Cleveland. Our welcome will take place at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, and we will be gathering there at 10 am.

For those of you who are new, all you need to do is show up, wear something celebrating Cleveland, say “Welcome!” and hold a sign that we will provide for you. It’s really easy, a lot of fun, and we’ll probably be wrapped up by 10:30 am. If you have kids or a pet that you’d like to bring, you are welcome to do so.

Weather permitting, we will be outside. If it rains, we may move inside the lobby of the Rock Hall, in which case, please do not bring pets.

These welcomes are a great way to show our pride and make an impression on visitors. Guests are always impressed by the welcome, and many take pictures, or want pictures taken with the welcome group. Frequently, we hear the comment, “No other city did that for us!” And that’s what makes Cleveland special!

Please note, this welcome will take place outside the Rock Hall and does not include admission, but we do encourage you to spend the day if you are able.

Please let me know that you’ll be joining us by e-mailing eembacher@destinationcle.org as soon as possible.

I think I will participate in this activity; hopefully I’ll see some familiar faces 🙂