Do you remember walking to school as a child? Picking up colorful leaves in the fall, smelling the flowers in the spring, and waving to the neighbor sitting on his front porch? Those were interesting walks.

Breathing in the fresh air, walking and skipping all the way to school.

Today many children lack the opportunity that some of us took for granted. Now you have the opportunity to help children enjoy the experience of walking to school. Bridging the Gap is starting a program in Kansas City, Kan., called the Walking School Bus.

This program helps to keep our air clean since fewer vehicles will be on the road. It promotes walking as a healthy alternative form of transportation. Walking can help to combat childhood obesity, a growing issue with school age children.

Of course there are benefits to you as the volunteer. You get your exercise; you get satisfaction knowing you helped make the trip to and from school safe and enjoyable.

The Walking School Bus will be offered at Banneker, M.E. Pearson, and Quindaro in Kansas City, Kansas. On your assigned “walk” day, you will walk the designated route (typically a ½ mile to a mile) at the designated times. Before school the time would be 8 – 8:30 a.m. and after-school usually 3:30 - 4 p.m.

During your walk you will meet children at designated “walk stops” and then deliver them safely to home or school. A kick-off is planned for March 31, with a Spring Walk to School Day.

If you are interested please contact Katharina at 816-561-1061, ext. 131 or at katharina@bridgingthegap.org.

All volunteers are subject to background checks. Prior to the kick-off all volunteers will attend an training about pedestrian safety and rules and regulations of the program.

There are numerous studies that show the positive benefits of volunteering. The community benefits because a problem has been dealt with.

Maybe a neighborhood has been rid of trash or an after school program organized for the children in the area. Volunteers have been found to have improved mental and physical when they volunteer on a regular basis. Relationships are developed and new skills are learned.

Today I wanted to tell you about an opportunity that offers multiple benefits to you the volunteer and ultimately benefits to the local community.

You can get some exercise, enjoy the outdoors, meet new people, and help low income families develop an additional source of income and provide food for themselves. You can learn how to garden using state of the art organic techniques. These techniques minimize effort and maximize results.

An urban community garden has taken shape in the northeast area around 5th and Quindaro. Project partners include the US Department of Agriculture, KC Center for Urban Agriculture, Oak Grove and Walnut Boulevard Neighborhoods.

These are solid experienced partner agencies. The success of the community garden however rests on the shoulders of hard working volunteers.

One volunteer, Paul Grahovac, has stepped up to the plate to organize Grahavoc’s Army of Volunteers. This volunteer, corporate attorney by day, has volunteered with Heartland Habitat for three years.

Now he is ready with your help to support the on going effort in the northeast area to cultivate a successful program. Paul and his army of volunteers will gather each Saturday at Faith Lutheran Church at 530 Quindaro.

Volunteers should arrive at 8am and plan to work until noon or up until 4 p.m. if time allows. The program comes to life using the best techniques in organic gardening.

If you are interested in joining this army of volunteers, please contact Paul at 913-660-4692 or at grahavoc8@gmail.com.

You can also check out Paul’s web site at hhtp://sites.google.com/site/grahavocsarmyofvolunteers/.

In an earlier article I started to talk about the rights and responsibilities of a volunteer. Today, I would like to continue to discuss this important area.

Volunteers have the right to supervision and guidance while doing community service. Some agencies have annual volunteer evaluations similar to employee evaluations.

The responsibility the volunteer is to be open to and accepting of this supervision and guidance. Remember these people need for you to do the job and to do it correctly. You are responsible for being open to the evaluation process, for communicating any problems, difficulties or issues that you encounter as a volunteer.

In a volunteer friendly environment, volunteers have the responsibility to express opinions and suggestions about how their job might be done better. They have right to be heard with respect and an open mind. Volunteers are often the source of new ideas, maybe a fund raising event or a more streamline way of doing the same old thing. Volunteers have the right to show initiative and leadership. The absence of a paycheck doesn’t diminish the person’s creativity and previous experiences.

The volunteer has the right to be treated as a co-worker with the respect and dignity implied. Like the paid staff, the volunteer is at the agency to help the staff work towards the agency goals and live the agency mission.

The responsibilities then of the volunteer include to follow agency policy and procedure and to show respect to other volunteers and staff at the agency.

The volunteer has the right to be trusted with agency information necessary to carry out their work. The responsibility that parallels this right is the responsibility to maintain confidentiality.

This means safeguarding the privacy of the agency and the clients its serve and the staff (paid or unpaid) the volunteer works with.

The volunteer has the right to be recognized for the service they give. A simple thank you from the volunteer manager or the toothless smile of an eight year old boy can be a great reward. Above all, the volunteer has the right to know that the job they did made a difference in one little part of our community.
 

The definition of a volunteer can be summed up by saying that a volunteer is someone who performs a job without the benefit of pay. Working at a job unpaid does not imply a lack of structure or polices or that the job is unimportant. On the contrary, volunteers are vital for the success of non-profits.

Successful volunteer programs have established polices and procedures. Volunteers do have certain rights and expectations when they do graciously give their time. We all know that along with rights there are responsibilities. Today I wanted to talk about some of those rights and those responsibilities.

Every volunteer has the right to be given a task or job that is satisfying and challenging and that meets your interests and needs. It is the responsibility then of the volunteer to be honest about your talents, your strengths, your abilities, and above all about your available time.

This is important because the agency relies on volunteers to help them fulfill their mission and meet their goals in the most cost efficient way. It is OK for the volunteer to say “NO”, especially if you are not qualified or have the right skill set for the job or that you really have more than enough things to do.

Every volunteer has the right to be trained for their volunteer job and to participate in an orientation to the job and to the mission, goals, activities and policies of the agency they are serving. It is the responsibility of the volunteer to cooperate fully in this training and orientation.

There are usually a set of policies specific to volunteers. Even though you are a volunteer, a stack of documents may need to be completed and signed. Some agencies, especially those working with children or frail elderly may require background checks. 

There are some volunteer assignments that will require some type of criminal background check and some that may even require a health screening. References are often requested. Volunteer applications are pretty standard as are volunteer job interviews. Other things to keep in mind during your training and orientation are what I call housekeeping issues.

Do you know where you are to park, what entrance do you use, where do you hang your coat and keep your purse, where do you get supplies, where do you put your brown-bag lunch, where do you eat,  and who do you communicate with if there is a problem or an issue?

It is so important to know who you communicate to when you need to be absent. Volunteers get sick and sometimes even go on vacation. Plan ahead for vacations or time off just like you do with your employer. In a future article I will continue  this discussion.

El Centro Inc. is a partner agency of the United Way of Wyandotte County. Through programs and services El Centro maintains educational, social and economic opportunities for families.

Programs and services include: adult education, senior program, family support services, domestic violence intervention, pre-k education, youth development, parenting classes, asset development, home ownership classes, home maintenance labs and healthcare case management support.

With this array of services the staff relies on dedicated and committed volunteers to help them fulfill their mission.

In January, El Centro Inc will host a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Site. Volunteers will be trained to prepare taxes. Other volunteers will serve as greeters for clients. Training and orientation for these volunteer positions will be provided. These opportunities are time limited.

The VITA site will be open from January 28 through April 15, 2010. The minimum age for volunteers is 18 years of age. If you are interested in volunteering at the VITA site give Jeff a call at 913-677-0100 or at JFendorf@elcentroinc.com.

El Centro can also use volunteers, individuals or small groups, to help at the Silver Lining Thrift Store. Volunteers do a wide variety of jobs to help maintain a thriving thrift store.

Some volunteers help behind the scene and accept donated items, help with deliveries and pick-ups, move furniture, keep the store room safe and neat, unpack and sort donated items and prepare these items for display on the sales floor.

Other volunteers might help on the sales floor and greet customers, answer questions and direct shoppers to the right areas, keep the shelves and racks stocked and orderly, dress mannequins, decorate the display window and dust and sweep.

The store is open Tuesday through Saturday. To volunteer at Silver Lining Thrift Store call Mary at 913-766-6601.

If you are friendly and outgoing you might consider being a volunteer receptionist. El Centro needs receptionists at their main office and at the Academy for Children. The receptionist will greet visitors, clients, parents; answer the phone and do routine computer work.

It is helpful if the volunteers speak Spanish. For more information on the volunteer receptionist positions contact Lisa at 913-677-0100 or at lcastro@elcentroinc.com.
 

If you are looking for something to do the next few weeks you might consider volunteering for Heartland Habitat. It is the perfect way to celebrate the season of giving by giving of your time.

The end result is that a family will have a place to call home. Habitat needs construction crews. Projects are available December 17th through Saturday December 19 and then on December 22 and December 23rd.

You don’t have to have experience in the construction field. Volunteers will receive on-the-job training. This is a great opportunity for a group of family or friends or just you.

You learn while volunteering.  Construction volunteers must be 16 years of age. If you are interested in volunteering please contact Vanessa at 913-342-3047 or at vanessa@heartlandhabitat.org.

If you are not the construction type you might want to consider volunteering at the Habitat ReStore. Here donated building supplies, paint, cabinets, light fixtures, plumbing supplies etc. are available for you and me to purchase for our home renovation projects.
 
The money from the sales goes to help fund the actual building of the houses. Volunteers help sort donated items, keep the shelves stocked and help customers to their cars. If this is something you might like to do give Gina a call at 913-596-6597 or email her at gina@heartlandhabitat.org.
 
Check out www.unitedway-wyco.org to find other opportunities to volunteer.

It is not too late to do something special for those in need during this holiday season. When you are out shopping check out the angel tree and take an angel off.

There you will find out what a child in our community needs for Christmas. All you have to do is purchase the gift. The Angel Tree program is under the direction of the Salvation Army. Angels must be selected  by December 11, 2009.

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is hosting a Christmas store for their clients. They need volunteers starting on Monday, December 14, to take down the shelves, racks, tables and chairs from this event.

This project will take a few days to complete If you are interested in helping please contact Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.

The American Red Cross, the Wyandotte County Chapter has changed the date of their mailing sorting for Holiday Mail for the Heroes. They will sort Saturday, Dec. 19th, 11am to 2pm at their offices at 1600 Washington Blvd.

If you want to help with this holiday project contact Jennifer at 913-321-6314.

For other holiday opportunities check our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org.

As we enter the month of December, activities are full speed ahead for the holidays. Many of our non-profits are working feverishly to see that their clients enjoy the holidays.  Volunteers are needed in a number of different ways to help spread Holiday cheer.

El Centro and the Salvation Army have families that need to be adopted for the holidays. Individuals, families or work groups can select a family and do a bit of shopping then deliver their purchases to the agency.

If you are interested in adopting a family from El Centro contact Anita at 913-677-0177. For Information to adopt a family from Salvation Army contact Major Judy at 913-232-5400. 

The American Red Cross, Wyandotte County Chapter is participating in the nationwide Holiday Mail for Heroes campaign, a program where the American Red Cross collects and distributes more than one million holiday greeting cards to service men and women.

On Saturday, Dec. 12, from 11am to 2pm, the Wyandotte County Chapter will host a Heroes Card sorting party. Volunteers are needed to play elf and sort more than two thousand cards to be given to active military members, reservists, veterans and wounded. Interested volunteers can call Jennifer at 913-321-6314 or email her at tarwaterj@usa.redcross.org.

Cross-Lines Community Outreach will host a Christmas Store next week, December 7 through December 12, for their clients. Volunteers are still needed to help staff the store. If you are interested in helping you can contact Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.

If you want more information on volunteer needs for the holidays please check out our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org/holidayguide

A great opportunity for you exists to help jump start the holiday season. On Friday November 20, at City Hall Plaza the Downtown Holiday Lighting Festival will take place.

This is a great event that brings the community together. There will be entertainment, food, decorated trees from the neighborhood associations, a visit with Santa, goodie bags for the first 1000 children, an opportunity to meet some of the Wizards’ players, free movies, popcorn and crafts for the children.

Activities will take place at City Hall Plaza. The event is planned to start at 4pm and end at 7pm with the lighting of the mayor’s tree.

In order for this event to be successful we need volunteers. Volunteers act as greeters and direct visitors to various activities. They guide guest through the display of trees decorated by the neighborhood associations. 

Other volunteers will see that those guest watching movies have popcorn and still others will help give cotton candy to the children. Some volunteers will help guide the line of children and families waiting to see Mr. & Mrs. Clause. For those volunteers who like to ham-it-up, there are opportunities for you to dress in costume and visit with the guests.

There is also a need for volunteers to help with the various costumed characters and entertainers. These are just a few of the many volunteer opportunities available.

To volunteer or to find out more information please contact Diane at 913-371-3674 or a dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

The United Way of Wyandotte County and Kaw Valley Arts are hosting an Art Sale during the second Friday Art Walk November 13, 2009. The Art & Soul of the Community, art sale, will be just one stop on the art walk and will be held at Reardon Center.

There are over 30 local artists that will have items to sell. Items include jewelry, paintings, textiles, photographs, note cards, pottery, and CD’s, to name just a few items. 

What a great way to get a jump start on your holiday shopping. Proceeds from the Art Sale will benefit the United Way of Wyandotte County. Not only can you shop and make a dent on your Christmas list but you can also help the United Way of Wyandotte County in its efforts to support programs that help those in need in our community.

McAnany Van Cleave and Phillips and the Hilton Garden Inn are sponsors of this event. Appetizers will be available to shoppers and gift wrapping will be available.

Volunteers are being recruited to help the evening of the event. The event will begin at 4pm and end at 8pm. If you have a knack for wrapping gifts, then we have volunteer positions available. We are also recruiting greeters who can welcome shoppers and provide directions to the artists.

Volunteers are needed to make sure that the artists have refreshments and to help shoppers carry purchases to their car. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact Diane at 913-371-3674.

Last week I talked about the upcoming holidays and gave you ideas of how you might help out during the holidays. I will continue on that theme this week and focus on Associated Youth Services, AYS and their holiday needs.
 
Associated Youth Services exists to advance the social, educational, health and overall success of youth and their families. The vision of AYS is that youth and families engage in community, recognize life's unlimited opportunities and reach their full potential. Last year AYS served nearly 5000 youth in need in our community.

Annually, in December, AYS with support of staff, board, and many volunteers hosts a celebration of youth at the annual “Winter Chill” event. Youth and their families are invited. This event flourishes because of volunteers. The event is scheduled for December 3, 2009.

Volunteers are needed in the weeks prior to the event to assist staff to create 300 small gifts to give the guests in attendance at the Winter Chill party. In addition, prior to the event volunteers are needed to help wrap boxes that will be filled with donated food items. Of course the volunteers will need to ready the decorations for the tables and the banquet hall.

Volunteers serve in a variety of jobs. There are volunteers needed to help prepare for this event. Volunteers unload the vans. They help prepare a traditional Turkey dinner.  In addition volunteers help decorate the hall and tables to give the venue a festive appearance.

During the event volunteers will serve food and beverages to the guests, distribute gifts, bus tables, wash and dry dishes and clean-up after the event. All volunteers will be trained on-site. Volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

AYS would like to give each child in attendance at the event a winter hat and a warm pair of gloves. They need helping collecting these items. Maybe you can organize a drive at your work place or church.

All hats and gloves must be ready for pick-up by November 30, 2009. If you are interested in organizing a hat and glove drive or in volunteering to help make the “Winter Chill’ event a memorable experience please contact Karen at 913-831-2820, ext 231 or at KRohrer@aysusa.org.

The holidays are fast approaching. That means that there are more opportunities to volunteer. These opportunities are short term in duration. Let’s start with Halloween.

Cross-Lines Community Outreach is sponsoring a Halloween party on Saturday, October 31, 2009.

Volunteers are needed to help set-up and tear down for the event, lead games, prepare candy bowls and goody bags to name just a few of the activities available for volunteers. If you want to volunteer for this event please contact. Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org. 

Alcott Arts Center is sponsoring a Trunk or Treat and haunted forest on October 31, 2009. Volunteers are needed prior to the event to help set-up and decorate. Then during the event volunteers can help give out candy and help provide entertainment. Volunteers can come in costume.

The time for this event 5pm-8pm. If you want to volunteer contact Chris at 913-233-2787 or alcott_arts@yahoo.com.

Thanksgiving dinners will be served at Center of Hope and Pleasant Green Baptist Church. Volunteers can help prepare the meals, serve the meals and of course help clean-up after the meals. To volunteer at Center of Hope please contact Marsha at 913- 233-2511.

If you want to help at Pleasant Green contact Bernice or Ethel at 913-371-5393. By the way, Pleasant Green takes meals to shut-ins so they also need volunteers to deliver these meals.

These are just a few of the many holiday focused volunteer opportunities in our community. I will tell you about more holiday volunteer opportunities in the coming weeks.  If you need information on volunteering please contact me at 913-371-3674 or check out our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org.

This week major television networks such as ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC will promote volunteerism.

Popular shows will have service-oriented plots, public service announcements will be aired and there will be special appearances. More than 50 primetime shows are participating in this nationwide effort to promote volunteering.

If you are motivated to volunteer here are just a few of the many opportunities available in our community. On October 29, a Thursday, Cross-Lines Community Outreach needs individuals or a small group to prepare, serve and clean-up after lunch in the Community Annex. This is an excellent opportunity to do your part to address the issue of hunger. You can contact Amber at 281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.

Family Conservancy is looking for the right person to serve as their volunteer coordinator. This volunteer position will be for 20 hours per week. This is a challenging and exciting opportunity. The candidate should have strong organizational skills, good people skills and be able to motivate and lead other volunteers. For more information, please contact Rochelle at 913-742-4144 or at rparker@familyconservancy.org.

Maybe you like more physical labor. Kaw Valley Arts needs a volunteer to paint a gallery or two. KVA has the paint the equipment. Volunteers need to contact Carol at 913-371-0024 or at kariotisc@kvarts.org.

If you want to help one-on-one to steer a young person to the right path you might check out AYS (Associated Youth Services). This organization needs tutors to work with their junior high and high school students. A commitment of once week on a school day is required. For more information on how you can tutor please contact Karen at 913-831-2820, ext 218 or at KRohrer@aysusa.org.

These are a just few of the many volunteer opportunities that are available in our community. Please contact me to find other volunteer and service opportunities. Contact me at 913-371-3674 or at dhentges@unitedway-wyco.org.

The unemployment rate in the metro area hovers around 8 percent. The experts tell us that it takes at least 12 -18 months before one finds another position.

That is a long time to sit idle. Individuals in between jobs posses a wealth of energy and talent. My challenge to you is to look for ways to share your energy and talents and keep your skills sharp.

Maybe now is the time to learn a new skill or improve on one of your weaker skills. How can you do this as you look for employment? The answer is simple VOLUNTEER.

Volunteer opportunities abound in our community. There are opportunities to fit almost all the different skill sets that someone may possess. There are also opportunities that allow volunteers to improve on or to learn new skills and better prepare you for the job market.

Do you enjoy meeting people? CROSS-LINES COMMUNITY OUTREACH needs a volunteer to staff the front desk. This position is very important since this person is the first contact the public has with the agency. The front desk receptionist greets all visitors and clients that come to the center and answers all incoming calls. The shift needed is on Tuesday, beginning on October 6th. The shift is from 12noon to 4:30pm. To volunteer, please contact Amber at 913-281-3388 or at amber@cross-lines.org.

Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) is looking for volunteers who can stand-up for a child in need. Abused and neglected children who enter the child welfare system need caring adults to stand up for their rights and advocate for their best interest. All volunteers are screened and trained. For more information call 913-715-4040 or visit the website at www.casajwc.org.

Do you understand the important role that technology plays in our modern world? Do you understand how the computer expands learning and communication? Bethel Neighborhood Center needs a volunteer like you to help clients in the computer lab.

This is a good opportunity for the downsized worker to keep up skills and help someone at the same time. If you are interested in volunteering in the computer lab, please contact Matthew at 913.371.8218 or at msweeten@bethelcenter.org.

Do you like to drive but have nowhere to go?

Cancer Action is looking for volunteer drivers to take cancer patients to doctor appointments and treatments. Volunteers must be 21 years of age, have a valid drivers license and a good driving record.

All applicants are subject to a criminal background check and driving record check. For more information contact Leslie at (913) 642-8885 or at leslieb@canceractionkc.org.

Think back to those carefree days of college.

Now you have an opportunity to return to college and help make college life a little better for a struggling student. Donnelly College is in need of volunteers to be classroom assistants in arithmetic and basic algebra.

The volunteer should have basic knowledge of arithmetic and basic algebra. Volunteers will tutor and assist the teacher with checking papers and making copies. Volunteers are needed for the fall, spring and summer semesters. For more information on this opportunity contact Roger at 913-621-8744.

Check with your favorite non-profit. They may have an opening on their board that you can fill or maybe they are planning a special event and need local community representatives to serve on the planning committee. Can you tutor at the local grade school, volunteer with the after school program or scouting program at your church?

If you need additional information on volunteer opportunities please contact me at 913-371-3674 or through our web site at www.unitedway-wyco.org.