Volunteer Wayne
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on January 16, 2005 2:06 AM
Volunteer Wayne offers opportunities to serve Wayne County for all ages. This service is provided by Volunteer Wayne and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) at Wayne Community College. For more information, people can contact Joy Pearce at 735-5151 ext. 336 or at: www.volunteersolutions.org/uwwc/volunteer for more information.
O llamar representatives de Latinos por Volunteer Wayne/RSVP: Gaspar Gonzalez, (910) 296-1851, o Willie Cartegena, (919) 735-5010, ext 116.
MARTINLUTHERKINGJR. DAY -- Make it a day ON, not a day off! Celebrate the national holiday this year by making it a day on, not a day off. On Monday, why not serve your community? In the words of Martin Luther King, Jr., "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve".
See project ideas from the Points of Light for tips on how you, your family, business, civic organization or church can spend the day making Wayne County a better place.
At Volunteer Wayne/RSVP, we recognize that all people have time and talents to share, and that communities are strengthened when people connect across their differences through volunteer service. Whether you have just one hour a month, or several days a week to share, we can help you find a rewarding experience where your contribution makes a difference in Wayne County. The following is just a sampling of opportunities in over 60 community agencies in the local area.
ONGOING
OPPORTUNITIES
URGENT! BE AN ADVOCATE FOR ABUSED OR NEGLECTED CHILDREN -- Response over the past two weeks has been great! However, the need is tremendous and more volunteers are needed. Wayne County has been designated by the state as a county of "Critical Need" as a result of the increase of child abuse and neglect. Do you have a minimum of five hours a month to investigate the needs of a child and advocate for the best interests of that child? This program provides advocacy services for children who are involved in the court system as a result of abuse, neglect and dependency. Last year, more than 425 children were served in the Wayne, Lenoir, and Greene counties through this program.
URGENT! BLOOD SUPPLIES ARE LOW -- You can make a difference if you are able to schedule blood drive appointments on the phone. Flexible hours for one or two people willing to take a leadership role. Training is available. With holiday schedules, blood donations are low. Unfortunately holiday accidents resulting from increased travel create a higher demand. By calling to schedule appointments for blood drives, you can help give the gift of life. You never know when you or a family member may be on the receiving end. Blood drives are scheduled Jan. 20-21 and 27-30.
MAKING MEMORIES -- Have fun while helping this mentoring program create a special evening for girls of all ages. This Father/Daughter or Favorite Guy Dance is open to all girls. Choose where to contribute your talents: food, DJ/karaoke (music is available if needed), photographer, decorations, publicity, door prizes, games, and tickets. Join the planning committee now to ensure success on Jan. 29 from 7 -9 p.m.
DEEJAY -- Do you have experience as a deejay? Make the Father/Daughter (or FavoriteGuy) Dance an evening to remember. Eight hundred popular party tunes are available for this event on Jan. 29, from 7 -9 p.m.
FAITH, FUN OR GAMES FOR ASSISTED LIVING -- You can make the day a little brighter for the elderly. Activities available on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday are calling Bingo from1-3 p.m. or conducting devotionals anytime between 10-11:30 a.m. Located in Pikeville.
DELIVER MEALS TO THE HOMEBOUND -- Deliver a hot meal as well as to check on homebound individuals. Only an hour of your time will bring smiles to the appreciative people served.
RESPITE FOR CAREGIVERS -- A few individuals with sufficient strength to maneuver wheelchairs can be a tremendous help at this senior center. Also, at least two caring individuals with patience and understanding of dementia are needed to assist with the Alzheimer's respite program on Monday, Wednesday or Friday from 9-2.
TEACHERS NEED YOU -- A variety of positions are available in several schools in various grade levels. Some require special skills while others do not. Just some of the opportunities are: working directly with students, monitoring halls, grading papers, making copies, and filing. Special needs are preparing 7th grade students for the End of Year Writing Test and one on one attention with bilingual and special needs students.
KEEP CHILDREN SAFE -- The Home Alone Program is looking for volunteers to teach first aid, Internet safety, and child abduction prevention. Time commitment varies from as little as six hours (including training) to as much time as you wish with this worthwhile program. Retired teachers, law enforcement, emergency and medical personnel are ideally suited for this opportunity.
EMBRACE THE MIRACLE -- Help prepare new mothers for their role as a parent with this ongoing project. Each newborn in Wayne County receives a basket of educational items and samples. Volunteers assist in assembling the baskets and/or delivering them to the maternity ward at Wayne Memorial hospital. Some light lifting -- under 30 pounds -- may be involved. Individuals or groups may participate. Volunteers are also needed to assemble 40 Spanish Baby Baskets (days and times optional). Other support activities can use volunteers in baby basket data entry (days and times optional).
BUILDING FUTURE LEADERS -- Do you like working with youth from the ages of 7 to 18? Adults, 18 years and older, can shape the minds of young men through this leadership and citizenship training for young men through the use of outdoors training, physical fitness endeavors and challenging experiences. Role models are needed to help with training and "on the ground" camping. Groups meet on a weekly basis for about an hour and a half.
BE A PART OF HISTORY -- Volunteers are need to give guided tours of historic buildings and present living history demonstrations such as open hearth cooking, corn shelling and candle making to school groups and the general public. Volunteers may also be needed to help run the cash register and clean the historic buildings and the visitor center. Volunteers may occasionally be asked to wear a costume, which will be provided by the site. Training will be provided.
Volunteer Wayne Online! You can now find your volunteer niche online at www.volunteersolutions.org/uwwc/volunteer or www.unitedwaywaynecountync. org. United Way has generously provided this service to encourage more people to become involved in our community. Seniors can also see us at www.joinseniorservice.org provided by the Corporation for National Service. Volunteer Wayne is funded by United Way of Wayne County. RSVP is primarily funded by the Corporation for National Service through Senior Corps.