[Vip-specialprojects] Exciting Volunteer Opportunities

[VIP Special Projects]

Hi Volunteers!
       We have some great volunteer opportunities to wrap up the end of the
year, so get excited! If there is anything you would like to help out with
please email me at *vip.special.projects at gmail.com* Remember to please
include the event you'd like to volunteer at in the subject line.

*Senior Citizen's is having their Senior Prom Tomorrow!  Here is a short
message from them:*
     Senior Prom is taking place in April 19th. So far, we are looking at
~40 seniors to attend the event and I only have two volunteers who said they
would help.  If possible, we are planning to have two shifts (11:30 - 1:30
and 2:00 - 5:00) so people wouldn't have to stay whole time. For more
information contact Megana Ballal at mballal2 at uiuc.edu


*Boneyard Creek Community Day 9:00a.m. – 12:00p.m. Lunch served after!*
• Meet at Illini Union Circle Drive at 8:30a.m.
• Register at boneyardcreek.org
Roll up your sleeves and plan to get dirty! Pitch in to help restore the
beauty of the Boneyard Creek by cleaning up litter, marking storm drains and
naturalizing the Boneyard Creek.


*STRATTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CARNIVAL -April 25th*
If there are any groups out there who would like to help out with the school
carnival at Stratton Elementary on April 25th, please contact Amy Sponsler (
sponsler at uiuc.edu).  Volunteers are needed in 2 shifts:  11:30-2:00 and
1:30-4:00.


*CU on the TRAILS - May 3*
A 5k Fun Run/Walk that encourages fitness.  Help us with set up,
registration, assisting runners, and managing the route


*CYCLING TO EMPOWER HOMELESS FAMILIES : Sunday May 4th*
We are in need of volunteers and/or sponsors for our fundraising event
"Pedal Power", Cycling to Empower Homeless Families which will be held on
Sunday, May 4th at Hessel Park in Champaign.  We need volunteers to assist
with registration, pass out information, greeters, rest stop volunteers,
set-up and clean-up.  We also invite the students to participate in the
event individually or as teams of four.   For more information about times
and registration fees and volunteering or sponsorships contact Gail Elkins
at 217-352-7151 or e-mail me at gail at cwt-cu.org


*UNIVERSITY YMCA'S DUMP & RUN*
The University YMCA will soon begin collecting [sorting, and packing) items
for this year's Dump & Run! However, we need volunteers!!!  And when you do
volunteer, you get first dibs on the things collected (after only 4 hours of
volunteering) - and we get an unbelievable amount of great things donated!

Please e-mail Kasey (kasey at universityymca.org) if you are able to volunteer
during any of the times listed below.

The collection/drop-off (and volunteer) schedule for spring/summer 2008 is
as follows:

MAY 5 – 7 (MON – WED) from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
MAY 8 (THUR) from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
MAY 9 – 10 (FRI – SAT) from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

MAY 12 - 14 (MON- WED) from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
MAY 15 (THUR) from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
MAY 16 (FRI) from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

MAY 19 - 21 (MON – WED) from 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
MAY 22 (THUR) from 9:00 a.m. – 8:00 p.m.
MAY 23 (FRI) from 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

The basic concept of Dump and Run is simple: we collect reusable items that
students (and folks in the community) would otherwise dispose of during the
typical move-out/Spring cleaning period in May. We then sell the collected
items at an annual garage sale held in late August (when students come
back). This project reduces litter and consumer waste, saves space in
landfills, lowers dumping costs for certified housing and apartments,
provides inexpensive items for folks to purchase in the fall, and acts as a
major fundraiser for the University YMCA. Last year we had 5 semi-truck
trailers FULL of stuff – ALL donated to the University Y.


*AND*

Don't Forget to Register to Vote!

Volunteer Illini Projects in collaboration with I-Vote is working towards
100% voter registration for all students. Currently to register to vote you
only need to meet 2 requirements

1. US citizenship
2. 18 years of age before the next election

If you meet both of these requirements but are not registered to vote please
stop by our RSO office and register to vote. It's just one piece of paper
and takes only a few minutes to fill out. In the Volunteer Illini Projects
Office in the RSO we have voter registration forms. Once it is filled out we
will turn them in to the county clerk's office. We will have people in the
office on Mondays and Wednesdays from 1pm till 2pm to help you register to
vote or you can send us a message at vip.ivote at gmail.com if you have any
other questions. If you are on facebook please join our group U-C I-Vote and
help us spread the word by inviting your friends to join and learn more.

Don't put this off till the last minute because registration closes a month
before the election!!!

*
AND Social Empowerment is looking for interested volunteers and
coordinators, here is a short message from the director Katie:
*
Hey guys,
My name is Katie Hapeman. I am the new director for VIP Social Empowerment.
The Social Empowerment project strives to aid people in the Champaign-Urbana
community. Volunteers work to promote community building for
self-sufficiency as well as work for social change. Social empowerment is a
broad program with many opportunities to make a difference. The diversity of
service opportunities gives everyone the chance to find a cause to get
involved with. This grassroots approach will give students a deeply vested
interest in the community and give community members a chance to interact
with students. Giving back to the community is equally important for
students and for those in need. Whether we can make a difference in small
ways that go largely unnoticed, or in more far-reaching ways, every act of
kindness counts. Volunteering teaches respect for diversity, empathy and the
power of the individual.

Sorry this has taken a long time to organize, but we finally have some great
programs set up for volunteering for the remainder of this semester and for
next year! We currently have volunteering programs set up with Champaign
Country Health Care Consumers, the Center for Women in Transition, Big
Brothers Big Sisters, and the GLBT community outreach office. We will also
be holding a fund raiser for Darfur. We have a lot of coordinator positions
open for those looking for leadership positions. If any of these events
sound interesting or if you want more information, please email me!   at
vip.social.empowerment at gmail.com


Thanks!
 Sri Pernankil



-- 
Srinija Pernankil
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
English Honors, Philosophy and Pre-Law
Volunteer Illini Projects Board of Directors: Special Projects
Alpha Chi Omega Sorority
Delegate to Panhellenic Service Organization
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