Ending Homelessness

Every night in the United States nearly 750,000 men, women, and children have no safe place to sleep. Shelters are full to overflowing and agencies are running out of the money that they need to help families who are struggling.

This isn't a "big" city issue, its an "every" city issue and it doesn't seem to be getting any better, especially here in Michigan where the economy is having a tough time recovering. It is important that as a community that we not only understand the reasons that people are homeless but that we also take small steps to reach out and help those who have found themselves in a shelter or on the streets, and also reach out to those who may be on the verge of losing their home. The National Alliance to End Homlessness has a fantastaic website with interactive data tools and Fact Sheets and activities for students from Kindergarten through High School. Take a minute and check out their website. For more local information on homelessness you should visit the Goodwill website. If you are interested in volunteering at a shelter or a food bank visit 1800Volunteer.org, there are many opportunities right here in Northern Michigan for you to give a bit of your time. If you would like to help financially you can visit Unitedwaynwmi.org and fill out our secure online pledge form. You may think that your one hour or one dollar won't make a difference, but to someone who has nothing, it makes a big difference. Happy Holidays!

December Volunteer Opportunities

Holiday Bottle Drive
Yep, those bottles are a pain. They are messy, they take up room, and they are no fun to return. Let’s put a spin on this messy situation. Each year we are bombarded with ways to donate during the holiday season—Coat drives, mitten drives, Toys for Tots -the list keeps on going. How about we pool all of our returnable items, have the kids help us return them, and then buy items to donate? We can let the kids make the decisions on where to donate and even how we donate the proceeds. Contact me if you would like to get together and do this. I think it could be a fun, low key way to let our kids be the decision makers, and provide them with the knowledge of just what is needed in our community.

Calling all Cookie Makers
‘Tis the season of cookie baking! Why not make a couple extra dozen while you are at it? The TART trails like to provide cookies to the VASA users during the winter season and most of the treats are supplied by volunteers like you! If you have a dozen or two to spare, please contact Pam Darling at the TART office. Their phone number is 231-941-4300.

Community Meals
Would you be interested in helping deliver a Christmas day meal to an elderly person or shut in? The community Meals Program has delivered over 6,000 meals to our community members since 2000. Meal delivery will begin at 11:15am on Christmas day, and will be distributed throughout the Grand Traverse region. Take the kids out with you. It will be a great experience for them. This one fills up fast so call Sandra now at 263-7130.

Salvation Army Bell Ringers
We see them every year—those dedicated people ringing bells all over our
community. The Salvation Army Red Kettle campaign kicks off November 20th at various locations throughout our community. The shifts are only two hours long, and the kids are more than welcome to come out and give you a hand. You can view all of the shifts and sign up on the Salvation Army’s website.

Maple Syrup Lovers Unite!
Are you interested in earning delicious, locally-made maple syrup for yourself, your family, or your friends? Then please consider volunteering with the Friends of the Wagbo Sugar Bush! Volunteers are need to help with firewood processing, line reparation, and sugar shack organization. The tentative schedule for workdays is Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday at the Wagbo Farm, but call ahead at
231-536-0333 to make sure someone will be there. Sounds awfully yummy!

Jingle Bell Run
Families are needed to help with this years Jingle Bell Run. This event is a fun, non-timed event that everyone can enjoy! Assistance is needed with registration, clean-up and much more. The run will be held on Sunday, December 20th starting at 5:30 at the Park Place Dome. Please let me know if you are
interested in helping—and if you want to participate in the run please click here!

Contact me to take advantage of any of these volunteer opportunities. You can reach me at:
amanda@unitedwaynwmi.org or 231-947-3200 x 206

Go To Disney!!

Hopefully many of you have heard about the Give a Day Get a Disney Day program by now. If you haven’t, please let me give you a brief explanation. Disney is working with the HandsOn Network to connect volunteers with the needs of our community. In an effort to inspire volunteerism Disney is thanking those who volunteer by giving them a free ticket good for one day to a Disney World or Disney Land theme park. It’s pretty amazing, but there are some simple stipulations.

The first thing we all need to do is register with the Give a Day, Get a Disney Day program. You can use the following link to do so - http://www.handsonnetwork.org/disney/faq#faqsix. Registration is very simple and will take you just a couple minutes. Please register your organization now – you can only do so through the end of the month! You have to be registered in order for your volunteers to receive the free day at Disney!
The above link has all of the information you will need regarding the program – who is eligible, frequently asked questions, and much more. Please let me know if you have any questions, I am happy to help.

Amanda Hilt
Volunteer Center Coordinator, United Way of Northwest Michigan
amanda@unitedwaynwmi.org
231-947-3200 x 206