AlbemarleFamily - Volunteer Bulletin
Volunteer Bulletin

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Commission on Children & Families Youth Service Workgroup

Youth Service Toolkit

A small booklet containing information on best practices in youth volunteerism to help parents, educators, nonprofit agencies and youth to ensure that youth volunteering is meaningful and valuable for all parties involved. Click here to download the booklet.

The Youth Service Toolkit contains information that may be of great value to parents looking to engage in meaningful volunteer work with their children, including how to prepare kids for volunteer work, how to work with nonprofit agencies to arrange volunteer opportunities, and then how to help children to reflect on their volunteering experiences in a way that will enable them to see the genuine value they can bring and role they can play in making a difference in our community.

  Community Fundraisers
 
February 15, Monday
GO PINK FOR UVA WOMEN'S BASKETBALL VS. NORTH CAROLINA
UVA Cancer Center Breast Care Program.
For one game only, the UVA women's basketball team will give up their orange and blue jerseys for a good cause - raising awareness and support for breast cancer research and patient care! Wear pink and help us make the John Paul Jones Arena a Pink Zone for this nationally-televised game. Take advantage of special ticket pricing and bring the whole family! General admission tickets are only $4. To purchase tickets, visit VirginiaSports.com. Click "Tickets", then "Online Promotions" and use the promo code PINK. John Paul Jones Arena.  7pm.  $4.  All ages welcome.  For more info call: 434-924-UVA1 (8821). 
 
Beginning January 27
SHELTER FOR HAITI TENT DRIVE
Blue Ridge Mountain Sports.
In an effort to provide critically needed shelter for victims of the January 12th earthquake that struck Haiti, Blue Ridge staff will be collecting tents in good working condition and any new tarps people are willing to donate. As an additional incentive, Blue Ridge Mountain Sports is offering 20% off all tents & tarps with the donation of an old tent or new tarp for Haitian aid relief.     Blue Ridge Mountain Sports & Convoy of Hope.  Directions: Barracks Road Shopping Center, 1125 North Emmet Street.  $free.  Contact: Kurt Peterson.  Email: kpeterson@brms.com. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 866-905-2767. 
 
Ongoing
THOMAS JEFFERSON AREA FOOD BANK
Blue Ridge Area Food Bank.
Thomas Jefferson branch of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank has a continuing need for donated non-perishable food products. They can use any non-perishable food items with some of the most needed items being rice, dried beans, canned meats, and cereal. Thomas Jefferson Area Food Bank, 1207B Harris Street.  8am to 4:30pm.  For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 296-3663. 
 
Ongoing
VAHOMESCHOOLERS/AMAZON FUNDRAISER
VaHomeschoolers.
The Organization of Virginia Homeschoolers--VaHomeschoolers/Amazon.com. Shop Amazon through the VaHomeschoolers Bookstore and let your purchases help support VaHomeschoolers at no cost to you! Just go to http://www.vahomeschoolers.org/bookstore.html. Pass this link to friends and family so their purchases can also support your member- directed, all volunteer and fully inclusive state homeschool association. VaHomeschoolers is neutral in matters of religion and partisan politics; homeschooling is our only agenda. All ages welcome.  Email: secretary@vhea.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 1-866-513-6173. 
 
  Volunteer Opportunities
 
February 2-March 26
UNITED WAY SEEKING STUDENT SERVICE AWARDS NOMINATIONS
United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area.
The United Way Student Service Awards recognizes exceptional high school students from public and private high schools in Charlottesville, Albemarle, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa and Nelson Counties in grades 9-12 for their outstanding commitment to volunteerism or service-learning. Self-nominations are encouraged. All nominees and award recipients will be recognized at the Celebration of Youth Service, presented by the Charlottesville/Albemarle Commission on Children and Families' Youth Service Work Group, in partnership with the United Way-Thomas Jefferson Area. Nominations may be downloaded at http://www.unitedwaytja.org/ServiceAwards.shtml All ages welcome.  Contact: Shaele Wood.  Email: swood@unitedwaytja.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 972-1705. 
 
Ongoing
ADOPT-A-PARK
City of Charlottesville Parks and Grounds.
Adopt one of 25 City Parks for periodic litter clean-up. All supplies provided. Ideal opportunity for families or school groups. All ages welcome.  Email: jonesdo@charlottesville.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 970-3589. 
 
Ongoing
ADOPT-A-SPOT PROGRAM
City of Charlottesville Parks and Grounds.
This program recognizes the desire that many citizens share for city beautification, especially in their own neighborhoods and school grounds. Currently, many "spots" are available that adopters can care for - from flower beds and annual planters on school grounds to neighborhood entrance corridors and traffic calming landscape beds. All ages welcome.  Contact: Susan Pleiss.  Email: pleiss@charlottesville.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 970-3585. 
 
Ongoing
ADOPT-A-STREAM
City of Charlottesville Parks and Grounds.
As part of an overall Water Quality Management Plan, the City's Environmental Office is interested in expanding the scope of their "Adopt a Stream" program. This is an excellent group/family volunteer effort and usually requires a commitment to remove trash in a given stream section twice per year. All ages welcome.  Contact: Susan Pleiss.  Email: pleiss@charlottesville.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 970-3585. 
 
Ongoing
COMPUTERS4KIDS MENTORS NEEDED
Computers4Kids.
Want to bring positive, permanent change to a child in only one hour per week? Computers4Kids seeks volunteer mentors to explore computers with youths in grades 7 to 12. Computers4Kids, 945 Second St. SE.  Contact: Michaela Tighe.  For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 817-1121. 
 
Ongoing
DONATIONS OF ALL SIZES OF CHILDREN'S CLOTHING REQUESTED
The Salvation Army- Charlottesville.
Clothing, particularly in season for children of local homeless shelter. Donations may be brought to The Salvation Army shelter on 207 Ridge St. Clothes should be labeled to specify that the donation is to go to the Child Services Coordinator so that it will get to the children in shelter care, as opposed to going to the thrift store. Contact: Child Services Coordinator.  For more info call: 295-4058 ext. 123. 
 
Ongoing
EXPLORING HOW CHILDREN DEVELOP
Child Development Laboratories at UVA.
Studies how children come to understand the world around them. They are looking for children from ages birth to 7 years old to participate in quick, fun studies. Your child might read a story or play a game, and you can be with your child at all times. Consider volunteering your child for a study. Recommended for ages 0 to 7.  Email: info@childdevelopmentlabs.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 243-5234. 
 
Ongoing
NATURE VOLUNTEERING OPPORTUNITIES
Ivy Creek Foundation.
Serve as a nature guide, trail monitor, grant writer or one of many other needed roles for the Ivy Creek Foundation. Recommended for ages 18 to 100.  Contact: Shaele Wood.  For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 972-1705. 
 
PLAY PARTNERS AND MENTORS NEEDED
Children Youth and Family Services.
Children Youth and Family Services has volunteer opportunities available from Play Partners, who help promote reading in children's early years, to youth companions, young adults who serve as mentors for teens at risk. Contact: Lindsey Vardy.  Email: lvardy@cyfs.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 296-4118, ext.250. 
 
Second Saturday of Every Month
RIVANNA TRAILS FOUNDATION SATURDAY WORKSHOPS
Rivana Trails Foundation.
Volunteer to come out to help with trail maintenance. Great for older kids or the whole family. Tools provided, but bring shears or clippers if you have them. Large groups please call in advance. .  Directions: Meet at the RTF equipment shed on Earheart St.  9am-noon.  $Free.  All ages welcome.  Contact: Jeff Wilbur.  Email: klondike4@aol.com. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 979-7524. 
 
Ongoing
SERVICE OPPORTUNITY FOR HOMESCHOOL FAMILIES
Virginia Institute of Autism (VIA).
VIA is seeking homeschool families interested in having their children participate as interaction partners for our students. Matching up interested homeschool students would be a unique opportunity to learn about students different from themselves and to know they are truly making a difference. Flexible scheduling. The VIA school.  Directions: 1414 Westwood Drive From 250 east bypass take McIntire Park/Rugby Road exit. Go straight onto Westwood Dr, #1414. Buildings will be on your left (VIA sign). Parking lot around back; back entrance also.  Recommended for ages 3 to 18.  For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 923-8252. 
 
September-May
VOLUNTEER FOR PLAY PARTNERS
CYFS.
Play Partners is a program of Children, Youth & Family Services, Inc. (CYFS). From September through May, volunteers read a "book of the month" to children at a home day care for one hour a week; then extend the concepts and vocabulary through art, music, retelling, cooking, puppetry and drama. After each month, children receive their own copy of the book. Because of their familiarity with the book, children are highly motivated to read it at home with their families. The program promotes the development of early literacy skills, the importance of reading at an early age, and school readiness. All volunteers receive training, must provide references and agree to background checks through the Virginia State Police and Department of Social Services. CYFS, 116 W. Jefferson Street.  Contact: Stephanie Tatel.  Email: statel@cyfs.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 296-4118 ext248. 
 
Ongoing
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR JABA
United Way Thomas Jefferson Area Volunteer Center/JABA.
Volunteer opportunities that help senior residents include friendly visiting, phone buddies, pet therapies and more. JABA.  Recommended for ages 15 to 99.  Contact: Shaele Wood.  For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 817-5222. 
 
Ongoing
VOLUNTEER WITH THE ELDERLY
United Way Thomas Jefferson Area.
Brighten days and visit the elderly who live in retirement communities or nursing homes. Lead games and activities, or provide companionship by talking with or reading to the residents. Opportunities are available at:
The Cedars Nursing Home, 296-5611; Comyn Hall, 293-8436; Eldercare Gardens, 973-7933; Evergreene Meadows, 985-4481; Evergreene Nursing Care Ctr., 985-4434; Heritage Hall, 978-7015; Martha Jefferson House, 293-6136; Morningside Assisted Living, 971-888; Mountainside Senior Living, 823-4307; Our Lady of Peace, 973-1155; Riverdale Retirement, 293-9845.
$free.  All ages welcome.  Contact: Shaele Wood.  Email: swood@unitedwaytja.org. For details, please click this link.  For more info call: 972-1705. 
 
Current Charlottesville Volunteer Opportunities

BUILD A BETTER FUTURE FOR YOUR COMMUNITY
Give families a greater voice in the future direction of Albemarle County and learn more about how the County government operates by applying to serve on an advisory board or commission. Committees include the Commission on Children and Families, the Natural Heritage Committee, the Social Services Board and many others. Meeting frequency is anywhere from weekly to bimonthly, so there is something for every level of time commitment. All you need to do is complete a short on-line application. Potential applicants will then be approved at the next meeting of the Board of Supervisors. Click here for details.

Click here to visit the United Way Volunteer Center for many ongoing family volunteer opportunities!

Click here for BRAVO! Stories from AlbemarleFamily celebrating the good in our community.



Make Volunteering a Year-Round Habit for Your Family

* Walk your favorite trail with a bag and collect trash.

* Organize a neighborhood drive for food, blood, furniture, toiletries, whatever is needed.

* Collect books to be distributed to kids and families who might not otherwise have them.

* Write letters for people living at a nursing home who might have arthritis in their hands.

* Work with the police to organize a neighborhood safety watch.

* Make a food basket for someone in need.

* Host a volunteer planning meeting.

* Install door locks, drill peepholes, and improve home safety for seniors and disabled people in your neighborhood.

* Hold a story hour and read to children in your neighborhood.

* Clean up a local park and plant a tree or some flowers

* Be a homework helper in an after-school program.

* Assemble and deliver personal care kits to an area shelter (toothpaste, soap, combs, etc.)

* Do yard work for a sick or elderly neighbor.

* Start a public awareness campaign for a cause you believe in.

* Organize a community "closet cleaning" day/week and donate old clothes, furniture and other items to a homeless shelter or other organization.

* Spruce up a baseball diamond by painting the dugout and fence and pulling weeds.

* Visit an animal shelter and help to bathe animals and clean their homes.

* Help out a low income neighborhood by repairing, painting, pulling weeds, removing trash, and planting flowers in their playground.

* Paint, clean, wash windows, etc. at a local school or chapel.

* Play games, make popcorn, and visit residents at a local nursing home.

* Volunteer at a dance or other special event for people with disabilities.

* Be a family to family mentor.

* Take a homebound friend out to eat and to run errands.

* Be a foster family or host a summer guest through programs such as "Fresh Air".

* Make cards or letters to military personnel that are stationed out of the country.

* Collect teddy bears and suitcases for foster children.

* Be a reading and literacy tutor at the library.

* Bake sweets and give them to someone who needs a special gift.

* Distribute water at a city festival or other event.

* Visit patients in the hospital and help deliver mail and flowers or bring coloring pages and crosswords to share.

* Read to someone with a visual impairment - perhaps an elderly neighbor misses the newspaper because the type is too small.

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