[Volunteers] OVP Weekly Volunteer Opportunity E-mail (12/4/02):

[Sascha Meinrath]

Afternoon all!

Table of Contents:
1. Parade of Lights
2. Holiday Toy Drive
3. Calls From Santa
4. Center for Women in Transition
5. Warm-a-Kid Drive
6. Thomasboro School
7. Gym Jam

***

1. Volunteers are needed for the Parade of Lights this Thursday.  Meet at the
corner of Main and Chestnut in downtown Champaign at 5:45p.m. for orientation.
You will be monitoring barricades at corners along parade routes to make sure
that traffic and pedestrians are safe.  The parade will start at 6:15 and last
for an hour.  There will also be free pizza waiting for you at the Springer
Cultural Center after the parade.  Email Sue Grey at
sue.grey at cparkdistrict.com.

2. The winter holiday season is right around the corner and you know what
that means...Gifts Galore!  This is a time of year when we not only relish
receiving gifts but also giving gifts.  We want your help to make sure
that a child's holiday wish can come true.  There are three local
organizations with over 200 children whose holiday wishes we can help come
true by purchasing a gift of no more than $15.  If you would like to
become a part of this Holiday Toy Drive please reply by November 15th
through email to verstrat at uiuc.edu or by calling the Office of Volunteer
Programs at 333-7424.

3. Need to get some holiday cheer or just a break from studying, we have the
best way to get the job done! This opportunity allows you to share the
holidays with children in the c-u area. We call kids ages 4-8 and find out
their Christmas wishes. Mom and dad have sent in a "cheat sheet" with all the
important info about the kids. We provide dinner, and all the red and green
m&m's you can eat!  This will be on December 10 (5:45 - 8:00 p.m.) contact Sue
Grey (398-2550).

4. Center for Women in Transition need your help to assist with staff to
create a wonderful holiday for their current and former residents.  It will
include a party for adults and another for children on the same evening, which
will be held on December 10th (3pm-11pm).  Contact John Phillips (352-7151).

5. "You may GIVE without LOVING, but you cannot LOVE without GIVING."
Warm-A-Kid Drive is here and collecting coats, hats, and gloves for
children.  Please bring items or mail donations to Office of Volunteer
Programs on 1401 West Green Street in Room 277 in Urbana.  Please deliver
items by Monday December 2, 2002 or contact the Family Information Center
at 351-3701 and they will pick up items.  If you have any questions please
contact OVP at 333-7424.

6. Thomasboro School needs "Elves" to assist students K-8 with meeting the
holiday needs of others.  A shop will be set up in the school and elves will
help students find just the right gift! Elves will be needed on December 10-11
(8:30am-2:00pm).  Contact Lisa Comstock (643-3275).

7. Volunteers are needed to assist staff with activities for Teens at an open
gym event. The primary activities will be Basketball and Dancing, although
other activities are available for Teens to choose. Volunteers will supervise
and interact with Teenage participants, take tickets at the door, and other
duties as assigned by staff on.  This will only be held on December 6 (6:30 -
9:15 p.m.) and contact Ellen Kirsanoff (367-1536).

Thirsting for other volunteer opportunities? Check out www.cuvolunteer.org
for 250+ others.

Tell them the Office of Volunteer Programs sent you,

--Sascha & Sara
Office of Volunteer Programs

Phone#:  333-7424
E-mail:  ovp at uiuc.edu
Office:  277 Illini Union (in the RSO complex)
Website: www.union.uiuc.edu/ovp