[Volunteers] OVP Weekly Volunteer Opportunity E-mail (11/10/03)

[Brian Stephen Dubina]

Good Day!

Table of Contents:

1.  Peace Corps Info Night -- Peace Corps
2.  Santa Paws -- Champaign County Humane Society
3.  Charles Dickens Festival -- Prairie Players
4.  Help the Salvation Army Help Others -- Salvation Army
5.  Help Kids Create Holiday Cheer -- Thomasboro School
6.  Remember the Good Ole Days of Holiday Shopping -- Crisis Nursery
7.  Be Entertained and Help a Good Cause -- Best Buddies International
***

1.  On Wednesday, November 12th at 6 pm in Illini Union 405, the Peace Corps 
will be hosting an information meeting including video presentations and 
question and answer session.  For more information contact Rebecca Houghtaling 
at 333-4889 or peacecorps at uiuc.edu or visit the website at 
http://www.peacecorps.org/


2.  The Humane Society is hosting the annual Santa Paws on November 21st thru 
23rd at Andre's Harley Davidson on Lincoln Ave in Urbana.  At this event, 
people can bring their pets to get their picture taken with Santa.  They are 
looking for volunteers to help with check in, check out, posing, 'squeaking' 
(squeaking a dog toy to perk up those dogs and cats!), and guys to play Santa. 
They will provide the Santa suit but need some of you patient guys to play the 
roll of the jolly old elf- with the dogs and cats. They can also use help from 
anyone that likes photography and is willing to help take pictures. A local 
photographer is letting the Humane Society use his equipment (with a digital 
camera) for the weekend, but he will be unavailable to take the pictures.  
They will need lots of help with this event, so please let Julie know if you 
can help by 5 pm on Monday November 17th. Julie at cuhumane.org  www.cuhumane.org
 344-9314


3.  Prairie Players is sponsoring a Charles Dickens Festival for the first 
weekend in December (4 & 5), 2003.  The festival will be held at the Historic 
Lincoln Hotel.  We are seeking volunteers, actors, singers, dancers, musicians 
and merchants. The Dickens Festival is an interactive event where the 
performers and participants engage with the patrons.  Actors will portray 
various characters from Dickens books and present small vignettes scenes 
throughout the hotel.   Singers and dancers will perform traditional songs and 
dances of the Victorian era.  Throughout the hotel there will be carolers, 
puppet shows, story tellers, children craft area, toy shop, candy shop, etc. 
Merchants selling their wares:  Victorian clothing, accessories, perfumes, 
oils, soaps, candles, chocolate, fans, books and the list goes on.  Volunteers 
are needed to assist with the children's craft area, gift wrap, cloak room, 
silent auction, carolers, strolling minstrels, telegram runners, parlor games, 
and much, much, more.  If interested in participating please contact:  JoMarie 
Dugan at 351-3464 or email her at dickensfest at msn.com


4. Salvation Army needs some major help right now. They are in need of sorting 
and boxing clothing for their thrift shop. Whatever time you are available 
will work for them.  They are willing to set up a time that is convenient for 
your schedule. They need both groups and individuals to assist them. If you 
are interested they can call Donna Rose at 373-7832.


5. Volunteers will assist children K-8 and their families during a holiday 
craft morning. Each volunteer will be given instructions to lead the craft 
activity. This event takes place on Nov. 15, 2003 from 8:00 to noon at 
Thomasboro School.  If interested contact Lisa Comstock at 643-3275


6. Remember the thrill of holiday shopping for your parents.  Relive that 
excitement while helping children do that exact thing for their parents.  
Volunteers are needed to assist children with their holiday shopping at Crisis 
Nursery.  Children are allowed to shop WITHOUT their parents, and volunteers 
are needed to guide them and help them find what they want.  All gifts are 
between $1 and $6. No parents allowed in store!! Times in which volunteers are 
needed are as follows:
Nov 28, 2003 (10:00-2:00),
Nov. 29, 2003 (10:00-6:00-3 hour shift),
Nov. 30, 2003 (noon-5:00- 3 hour shift),
Dec. 6, 2003 (10:00-6:00- 3 hour shift),
Dec. 7, 2003 (noon-5:00-3 hour shift).
If interested contact Kim Gollings at 377-2731 or at 
volunteer at crisisnursery.net


7.  Want to help out AND be entertained? Come to the BEST BUDDIES TALENT 
SHOW!!!
The show is from 2-4 on Sunday, Nov. 16 in 112 Greg Hall, and tickets are $3.
Best Buddies is a non-profit service organization that works with individuals
with intellectual disabilities in the community, and all proceeds will help
to continue providing these opportunities while promoting awareness, 
acceptance, and most importantly, friendship. To find out more, contact 
Lindsay Baran at lbaran at uiuc.edu, but no RSVP is necessary!!!



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

Tell them the Office of Volunteer Programs sent you,

--Sascha Meinrath & Brian Dubina
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