Family Volunteer Day!

November 21st, 2009 was National Family Volunteer Day. The Volunteer Center hosted an incredibly successful event - 57 volunteers decorated 186 flower pots and planted 335 tulip bulbs in them. These pots were then donated to Meals on Wheels recipients around Story County and will be donated to Bethany Manor residents. Volunteering is a great way to spend time with family, friends, and co-workers - it builds relationships and strengthens communication while having a positive impact on the local community.

I received a number of emails from families interested in participating in the event that reflected their understanding of the importance of volunteering. Parents were excited about the opportunity to volunteer with their children and make service to others the focus of a family activity. The event was a success because of the diverse group of people who attended and interacted with each other, working together to complete a project that brought happiness to others. Members of a church youth group attended together, Iowa State students participated and made new connections to the community while completing the service project, and numerous mothers, fathers, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins dedicated part of their Saturday to service.

We look forward to increasing opportunities for families to volunteer together and focus some time on service to others and the community.

- Laura

Do Good MIXER!

I declare the first Do Good MIXER a success. Though many of you were not able to make it to Karaoke night at Riverside Manor, the few that did come had a great time. The residents sang along with Karaoke Diva, Susan Rappenwolf, who did a great job of singing to the oldies, even though her machine wasn’t working. What a trooper. We were even entertained by one of the Riverside Manor guests who played the harmonica while the rest of us sang.

Then off to Olde Main for dinner and mixing. Can’t wait to do this again.

Let the VCSC know if you are interested in joining us for upcoming Do Good MIXERs or if you have ideas for projects.

Trish

Remembering volunteering as a family

I have fond memories of volunteering as a child with my family. Every Christmas my family and I would volunteer at our church, organizing gifts from our Adopt a Family tree and delivering them to the families. I remember the looks on some of the kids when we brought them gifts - they were so excited.

My mom has worked at a nursing home my whole life, so I also would go and visit with the residents and have piano recitals there. It was so natural because it was just like going to work with my mom, but in a way it was volunteering. These values have been ingrained in me since I was a young child.

The Points of Light Institute says volunteering as a family is so important, that they created a whole National Day of Service for it. Family Volunteer Day falls the Saturday before Thanksgiving each year, and organizations around the country hold service projects for families to become engaged in their communities.

In Story County, families will have the opportunity to decorate pots and plant tulip bulbs in them. The plants will then be donated to a local nursing home and to Meals on Wheels recipients to help brighten someone's day during the holidays.

The project will take place Saturday, Nov. 21 from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. Click here for more information. Hope to see you there with your family, friends or co-workers!

-Amanda