#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.

#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.”

“Community, Race and the Police: Just Get Home” Thurs 6/25

Time: Thursday, June 25th at 7:00PM-8:30PM
 Location: University Circle United Methodist Church (1919 E. 107th Street, Cleveland OH 44102)

Here is an upcoming conference I invite all parents, teachers, guardians, youth group leaders, and anyone with questions/concerns with recent happenings in the city of Cleveland, to attend. There have been many avenues in which some form of action has taken place in opposition with what all is going on. This particular avenue has been set up for dialogue, learning and understanding for everyone. I hope that what is created here can spark another change in the right direction…

The goal of this event (hosted by the University Circle United Methodist Church) is to educate young people in our community  on how to deal with encounters with law enforcement with the singular purpose to “JUST GET HOME”. We want our children and neighbors to know that they can work inside the system to promote positive change. We want to work to enhance the relationships between the community and members of the Division of Police.

This is event is FREE and is sponsored by the Kappa Gamma Sigma Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated.

 

#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 🙂

#VrereDai Thank You…and Part Two.

I had my little brother and sister help me with donation delivery!

I just wanted to take time to thank everyone who took their time to support my special present to the 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter. I hope you know that am deeply humbled. I was able to collect a monetary total of $330 dollars from family, friends and colleagues via Paypal. That was used to buy 330 $1 items. I also collected many donations from people around town; I believe it was well over $200 worth of items, in addition to a box of books I selected from the bookstore in Gordon Square (Cleveland), Guide To Kulchur. There was so much to take over that I had my little brother ans sister help me out. It was good for them to participate in this kind of service and to see the impact it truly has on the community. It’s important that I expose them to giving back.

I did not expect to receive so much help-this was my first attempt to start my own drive for a cause. I have signed up tp participate in walks and other activities in the past in which I ask for donations…but this was something I started on my own. It was a LOT of work and I learned things about myself during the process. I’m so grateful I stepped up and followed through. To see so much praise and encouragement for a task like this was overwhelming; it felt really good to grab as much attention as I did and I hope I influenced you in some way to give back on your own.

There were many people who were unable to donate to this drive or simply missed my deadline, which was not a problem. Due to that response, I have decided to begin a new drive for the month of April. The 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter is always in need of items; they support up to 400 men each night. Although the donations collected for this drive was highly appreciated and more than the shelter expected, they will never stop needing our help. I want to extend my “Vrere Dai” celebration all month by collecting items, and monetary donations that I will use to shop on your behalf.

Here’s a reminder of the items needed for me to collect:
Small toothpaste & regular size toothbrush
Bar soap
Regular size deodorant
Small shampoo
Small hand lotion
Chapstick/Lip Balm

If you would like to send money, please use my PayPal account (VRERE@AOL.COM) and be sure to choose the ‘friends and family’ option so your donation is not deducted a fee.

The deadline for this drive will be THURSDAY APRIL 30TH.

If you have any questions or want to connect, please email me at Vreredai@gmail.com or send me a text at 216-236-5470. I may not generate the same numbers as the last go-round…but any and everything helps… 🙂

 

Update on How to Help Celebrate my #VrereDai (Birthday Donation Drive for the Men’s Shelter)

…a few of my own donations to the Men’s Shelter 🙂

 

First off, THANK YOU to everyone who has given me items and/or cash towards this project! I’m really excited for the 2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter. They should expect over 100 items for my VrereDai (birthday-April 4th)! I just wanted to do something out of the norm of celebrating for myself. Based on the success of this drive I may do this every year, and I hope I influence you to do something similar some day 🙂

I want to let you know that if I’m unable to connect with you or you’re unable to collect/purchase items, I have a PAYPAL Account that you can send money to, and I will use that money to shop for the toiletries needed by the Shelter. In case you forgot, here is what they are asking for:

Small toothpaste & regular size toothbrush
Bar soap
Regular size deodorant
Small shampoo
Small hand lotion
Chapstick/Lip Balm

My PAYPAL Email is VRERE@AOL.COM. Please send all monetary donations to this email only. Each dollar donated equals one item from the list above. If there is a particular item you would like me to use your funds for, please send me a note with the donation. I know that not everyone has a Paypal account so let me inform you of a few things…

1. Sending money from your Paypal account to my account is FREE.

2. If you do not have a Paypal account and want to send money for free, you will need to sign up for one. Signing up is free; you are simply being asked to link your personal bank account to the site.

3. There are two options for who you are sending money to. Please choose the “FRIENDS OR FAMILY” option! This is not a business transaction in which I am sending you anything.

4. If you send money using a debit or credit card, you will be charged a fee, like with most sites.

Information on Paypal use can be found HERE.

Again, if you have questions or want to connect because you have items, I can be reached at vreredai@gmail.com (please note-this email IS NOT the same email linked to my PayPal account; please don’t get confused) or send me a text at 216-236-5470.

I can’t wait to do all this shopping and donate for my VrereDai! I may eat some carrot cake or ice cream cake in between…or maybe a nap! 🙂

#RAKE Random Act of Kindness Day, Tues 2/17

Happy Random Act of Kindness Day! In case you aren’t aware, Today is #RAKE Day. #RAKE, or Random Acts of Kindness Everywhere, is a movement/nonprofit created by Cleveland native Ricky Smith. RAKE’s objective is to improve the world one random act at a time. Buying lunch for the person in line behind you, shoveling a neighbor’s snow out the driveway, paying a compliment to someone you know is feeling down…all RANDOM acts. You can find more information on the mission of R.A.K.E. HERE. We should all take some time to find the importance in doing something positive for another out of the kindness of our hearts. I personally find it to be a great healing process because it really makes me feel good helping out others (even though I don’t consider my helping of others to be so “random”, but I do a lot of organized/structured Volunteering and that’s just as helpful too).

To celebrate, you can check out the website and purchase select RAKE t-shirts for just $2.17! That’s a pretty good deal in my opinion; I grabbed myself a shirt 🙂 All proceeds go to the R.A.K.E. Fund.

Be sure to take advantage of the sale, and do something Random for another before the day is over! As always, spread the word…:)

 

#VolunteerInCLE Where’s Vrere? Homeless Stand Down 2015, Sat 1/24

On Saturday January 24th I will be participating in the 2015 Homeless Stand Down, a two-day event for individuals and families facing poverty and homelessness. On day #1 (Saturday, January 24, 2015) guests enjoy access to social service providers, haircuts, medical screenings, live entertainment, professional portraits, breakfast and lunch, and free winter clothing, personal care kits, bus passes and much more. During day #2 event(s) (January 31/February 1) the same services (e.g. haircuts, bagged lunches, winter clothing, etc.) are packaged into a CareVan and driven to guests permanent supportive housing sites around Greater Cleveland.

I will be volunteering with a few of my Sorority Sisters (Sigma Gamma Rho) & friends at the Cleveland Public Auditorium downtown . We will help with the distribution of materials and keeping the area clean for guests. Our shift will be 11:15am-3:00PM Saturday the 24th.

I have reserved a few spots for anyone wanting to Volunteer with the group. If you are interested please let me know at your earliest convenience. I simply need your name and email address. Spots are very limited. I would like to gather all participants by January 14th. Please note that Volunteers must be ages 16 and up. Please dress comfortably.

There is also still time to donate to the HSD 2015. Here is a link to find out what donations are most needed, as well as drop off locations.

#VolunteerInCLE Be A Listener At 2100 Lakeside Emergency Men’s Shelter (Ongoing Opportunity)

Here is a really special opportunity to give some of your time at the Shelter. By simply coming in during the week to lend an ear to residents you provide a more safe space for dialogue, an opportunity to ‘vent’, and put smiles on faces. It is important however, to know how to effectively listen to others in a way that they are comfortable with sharing thoughts and feelings with you. I believe we live in a society in which we talk first and do little to understand another’s point of view. There is a lack of Active Listening not because it’s intended but the concept is not one that is discussed or heavily promoted. We make getting our own points across a top priority. This volunteer opportunity can help provide some practice that you can apply to your everyday life. Instead of having a desire to want to fix a problem, all some of us truly need is someone to listen…and that includes the homeless. You would be surprised at how listening can end up solving a problem!

If you think you are interested in spending an hour or two each week coming to the Shelter to simply provide an outlet to the residents and nothing else or you have additional questions, please let me know so that I can send your information (name and email) to the Coordinator of Volunteers. Times are very flexible. I can tell you that after attending a Listening Training I have a desire to do more than serve food at the Shelter. I hope to get some friends and colleagues involved. 🙂

#TeamZOEY Where’s Vrere? St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk, Sat 11/22

As a member of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Incorporated; we have a relationship with St. Jude and the Children’s Research Hospital. This year my Sisters and I, along with friends and colleagues will participate in the St. Jude Give Thanks. Walk on Saturday November 22nd at Great Northern Mall (4954 Great Northern Mall North Olmsted, OH 44070). This time around we are walking in honor of a very special lady…my cousin Zoey!

She will be 4 very soon (October 29th), and I decided to gather everyone to walk in her honor. She’s been very courageous while battling cancer and continues to fight every day! …and she’s quite the fashionista! I asked to borrow a dress but she hasn’t gotten back to me yet LOL!

Here is the Team Page for #TeamZoey; feel free to join and/or donate to the walk! You will see several members on the team roster; please click whichever member you would like to donate to. She and her mother (my cousin) will also be at the walk. So if you’re around, please come say hello and wish her a happy belated birthday! 🙂