Archive for Volunteer
Joy of serving seniors
Posted by: | CommentsAudrey Holland, volunteer administrator, recently asked her volunteers what they liked about delivering meals to seniors. She shares some of their responses.
” …because it’s all about the smiles. …happy faces when we pop in the door.
“Jesus says, “Where you have done it unto the least of these, you have done it unto Me.” Our seniors get at least one healthy meal a day and I get the opportunity to visit with some really nice and grateful people that otherwise, I would have never known.
”I enjoy checking on them and making sure they are ok. It is just a little thing that takes little time but is a huge benefit to the recipients.”
“….it is fun to see and talk to the clients. It makes my day and makes me feel good. Even when I’m having a bad day and don’t feel like delivering meals, I know that my day will be better when I see “my folks.”
“I feel like I’m doing something satisfying to these families. They like to talk and share about what is going on in their lives and it helps them when they are unable to prepare one for themselves. I also pray for each family I serve and some are very sick. They need encouragement. ”
“I love delivering meals to seniors because my visits allow contact with the folks that are primarily bound to their homes. They truly appreciate the visit and the meals. Further, I’m able to help seniors in a way I was unable to do for my parents due to living in different states. It is a very satisfying experience.”
”…it makes me feel good to help others. Bringing a smile to others is a nice feeling. I enjoy contributing to our community. God has blessed me in so many ways that I also like to be a blessing to others.”
”… because it brings a smile to my face to see these precious shut-ins and hear their stories of life “way back when”. I may be the only contact they have all day, and it’s a joy to add a ray of sunshine when I can. “What goes around, comes around” and perhaps one day it will be “my turn”. I hope one day there will be someone who will help me when I need it.
”… they are a terrific group of people. I look forward to every delivery from the welcoming smiles to the last “thank yous” or “have a blessed day.” It is a pleasure to serve the seniors.”
You can join these volunteers. Delivered Meals Program serves seniors 60 years or older, homebound and unable to prepare a nutritious meal. The program needs volunteers to deliver meals to seniors in Manteo and the beach area, Monday through Friday. If you can donate one hour a month in the fight against senior hunger by assisting with meal distribution, please contact Mary Jernigan at (252)475-5637 at the Baum Center or Gianinna Sanchez at (252)475-9279 at the Dare County Center. You can also contact Audrey Holland Volunteer Administrator, 252-426-7093 ext 230, aholland@albemarlecommission.org (Courtesy www.obx.CommonGood.org)
Soar into vounteer opportunity
Posted by: | CommentsVolunteer opportunities are available for Soaring 100 Centennial Celebration of Orville Wright’s 1911 World Record Glider Flight, October 21-24,
Register by position, day/date/ hours of availability or specialized skills or interest. Contact Karen Warlitner at 252-491-5165 Monday-Friday. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)
Rescue an alley cat
Posted by: | CommentsAlley Cat Rescue, an Outer Banks nonprofit organization which rescues and finds homes for homeless cats and kittens, is seeking a permanent facility to be used in the group’s efforts to reduce the number of abandoned cats which are euthanized each year.
The organization rescues homeless cats along the Outer Banks, providing them with medical treatment, spaying and neutering, and prepares them for adoption by loving families. The group works in conjunction with local agencies, residents and business owners to provide domestication, assessment and processing for cats in need of owners.
Volunteers perform hands-on rescues of homeless and abandoned cats and help prepare formerly unsocialized cats to live with adopted families. The group is appealing to local land owners, facility owners and philanthropists to provide a facility. For information, contact Amanda Marie at 252-207-5153 or alleycatrescue@yahoo.com. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)
OBH needs volunteers
Posted by: | CommentsThe Outer Banks Hospital needs a volunteer in the operating room from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., Monday through Friday, as a liaison between the operating room staff and the patient’s family and friends.
For information contact Kathy Tate, director of volunteers, at ktate@theobh.com or call 252-449-5675. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)
Chicamacomico needs helpers
Posted by: | CommentsChicamacomico Lifesaving Station needs volunteers full or part-time, as docents, in the gift shop or for hands-on services such as electric plumbing, painting, carpentry, restoration, and professional services such as accounting, advertising, marketing, design and display, fund-raising, etc.
For information contact James Charlet at 252-996-0493 or email clss@embarqmail.com. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)
Food pantry needs volunteers
Posted by: | CommentsBeach Food Pantry is in need of several volunteers to take part in the Food Lion frozen meat pick-up on Mondays and Tuesdays, to fill administrative positions and to serve on the executive board.
The pantry was organized by a few local religious organizations in 1989. In 1992, the pantry incorporated and in 2004, became a tax-exempt organization. Along the way, the pantry has been located at St. Andrews and Holy Trinity churches in Nags Head, the EMS station in Kill Devil Hills and in the the Beach Medical Building in Southern Shores. In April 2009, it was moved to 3809 N. Croatan Highway in Kitty Hawk.
The primary mission of the pantry is to provide nutritional and personal care items to people in need, on a temporary basis. It is all volunteer. Along with donations from community food drives, religious organizations, businesses and individual citizens, the pantry purchases a large amount of food from Food Bank of the Albemarle, Food Lion and Dollar Tree. Once a month it is supplemented with products from the state Nutritional Aid Program. The pantry purchases eggs, margarine, frozen juice and personal care products weekly. It receives meat donations from the Southern Shores Food Lion daily.
The people and families served are referred from Dare County Department of Social Services, Interfaith Community Outreach and its 14-member religious organizations. These clients are given a two-week suply of food based on family size, including eggs, cheese, margarine and meat. Walk-ins are given a three-day supply of food and referred to the above organizations.
In 2009, the pantry served 3,657 individuals and/or 1,345 families. As of September 30, 2010, it had served 3,484 individuals and/or 1,167 families. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)
Volunteers needed for parade
Posted by: | CommentsThe town of Duck July 4 parade is just around the corner, and the town is looking for volunteers to assist, including set-up, parade logistics, clean-up and pre-parade administrative help.
If you are interested in assisting with the parade email info@townofduck.com or call 252-255-1234.
An after-event includes music by Ruth Wyand & Friends, refreshments, awarding of parade trophies and a special Event of a Lifetime Flash Mob. A flash mob is a choreographed dance routine which will feature parade entrants, community members and volunteers.
The next volunteer meeting is Tuesday, June 28, 9 a.m., at the Duck town office. This is a must attend for parade volunteers. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)
Hunger common in N.C.
Posted by: | CommentsAARP’s June bulletin has some eye-opening information about hunger in North Carolina.
In an article entitled “Help Us End Hunger,” the AARP says North Carolina “ranks sixth in food hardship, based on a Food Research and Action Center study. Nearly a quarter of the state’s population reported not having enough money to buy food for themselves or their family in the past 12 months. Winston-Salem, Greensboro-High Point and Asheville ranked thid, fourth and seventh, respectively, among metro areas nationally in food hardship.”
Seniors rank high in food hardship in this state, the article says, and “represent nearly half of those who obtain groceries at a food bank of other emergency food provider.” The article also has first-person accounts of two people who have found themselves getting some of their food through food banks.
AARP is working with its groups within the state to “hold food drives, support food banks and increase enrollment in SNAP, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, formerly called food stamps.”
A supplier of food for the needy is listed as Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, which is supported by the national Second harvest. For more information on volunteering or donating to AARP’s Drive to End Hunger, go to www.drivetoendhunger.org or call 1-866-389-5650.
Help grow community garden
Posted by: | CommentsKaitlyn Hudgins is developing a community garden in Dare County with the aid of Wake Forest University, Tommy’s Gourmet Market and Food For thought.
Dare to Grow is committed to providing healthy choices so our children can grow up to be physically and spiritually healthy. As director of development, Hudgins hopes to develop a children’s program to help them learn about healthy food choices, with a focus on providing lower income families in the community with crops harvested.
Gardeners, carpenters, Master Gardeners, families or individuals interested in supporting or participating in the program are encouraged to contact Hudgins at hudgkm8@wfu.edu or call 252-489-1743.
Organizations that would like to get involved in a socially responsible project could either donate money or supplies for the initial construction of the garden. Supplies such as soil,, lumber and fencing are needed.
Gardeners are needed to help draw up and outline the layout of the garden, including where the planter boxes should be, what should be planted, planting the seeds and tending the garden. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)
Volunteers needed
Posted by: | CommentsHands of Hope, a community initiative arising from a desire that no one walks a cancer journey alone, is looking for volunteers to help support cancer patients including transportation, meal preparation, care for the care-giver, patient companionship, running errands and publicity and promotion, including speaking at churches, community events and health care screenings.
Volunteer commitment is one time but could recur.
To volunteer or for more information, contact Marie Neilson, volunteer coordinator at marie.neilson@heobh.com or call 252-216-9400. (Courtesy www.obxCommonGood.org)