[Volunteers] [OVP] Volunteer Listserve 1/24/06

Tue Jan 24 14:20:27 CST 2006

Tuesday, January 24, 2006
OFFICE OF VOLUNTEER PROGRAMS WEEKLY LISTSERVE
Brought to you by CUVolunteer.org, the most comprehensive list of volunteer opportunities in Champaign county.

TABLE OF CONTENTS:
1. Thank You For Donating Toys
2. Illini Mentor Program Information Sessions
3. American Red Cross Blood Drive
4. South Side Elementary Fun Night 
5. Rape Crisis Services Training
6. American Cancer Society Day of Hope
7. Crisis Line Training Opportunity
8. Perfect Prom Project Donations
9. Douglass Center After School Program
10. Visionaries Educating Youth and Adults
11. OVP Facebook Group

1.  THANK YOU FOR DONATING TOYS
Thank you to everyone who donated toys to our annual Holiday Toy Drive.  We collected 525 toys this year, 100 more than last year.  We appreciate your efforts, as do the eleven agencies to which the toys were donated.  The representatives of the agencies who came in were extremely happy with the donations they received, especially since these are the only toys that local children will receive this holiday season.  Again, we can't thank you enough for helping to connect our campus to the greater Champaign-Urbana community, and for helping to brighten these children's holiday seasons.  

2.  ILLINI MENTOR PROGRAM INFORMATION SESSIONS
The ILLINI MENTOR PROGRAM is looking for new mentors this Spring!  They need enthusiastic individuals to create meaningful and lasting one-on-one relationships with a local child in a fun setting.  If you love working with kids, this is a great way to get involved in the community as well as a great experience for your resume.  The minimum commitment is two hours a week at one of their community partnerships, both easily accessible by bus, and mandatory attendance at biweekly mentor development meetings at 7 PM on Sundays.  If you are interested, please come to one of IMP's information sessions on either Thursday, January 26 at 7 PM or Wednesday, February 1 at 7:30 PM.  Both meet in 100 Gregory Hall.  Please contact Membership VP Lauren Eichmann at leichma2 at uiuc.edu if you have any questions.

3. AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE
If you would like to give the gift of blood, the American Red Cross is conducting a blood drive from Tuesday, January 24 to Friday, January 27 from 11 AM - 5 PM in 314 Illini Union.  This blood drive is part of the Big Ten Blood Challenge!

4.  SOUTH SIDE ELEMENTARY FUN NIGHT
Please help South Side Elementary School put on their annual Fun Night carnival.  Volunteers are needed to staff games and help with concession sales and clean-up.  The Fun Night is Friday, January 27 from 6 PM to 8:30 PM.  Refreshments will be provided for volunteers.  This is a great one-time opportunity for individuals or big groups.  Please contact Caren Spencer-Smith at 359-4252 if you are interested.

5.  RAPE CRISIS SERVICES TRAINING
One in three women and one in six men will experience sexual violence in their lives.  But you can help!  Rape Crisis Services is holding a 40 hour training for hotline counselors and medical/legal advocates.  Training begins January 30 and will continue for 4 weeks at the Rape Crisis Services office at 310 West  Chruch Street.  Contact Nora at 355-5214 or at sagen at awomansfund.org.

6.  AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY DAY OF HOPE
The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to help staff collection sites for their "Day of Hope" drive on Wednesday, February 22.  There will be collection sites throughout the area for community members to drop off donations.  The goal is to raise enough money so every cancer patient at the three area hospitals receives a Gift of Hope during the delivery week.  By giving the Gift of Hope, we will touch the lives of more than 1,200 patients.  The day will last from 7 AM to 6 PM and volunteers are needed for any chunk of time between those hours.  Please e-mail Jason McClelland at jason.mecclelland at cancer.org if you are interested in participating.

7.  CRISIS LINE TRAINING OPPORTUNITY
The Mental Health Center of Champaign County has an exciting opportunity for individuals interested in volunteering with their 24-hour Crisis Line.  Volunteers help callers with a variety of situations, including providing resources and information, social support for individuals dealing with depression, anxiety, relationship concerns, suicide prevention, etc.  Volunteers take Crisis Line calls from their home and must commit to 12 hours per month of volunteer service.  In order to participate in this training, volunteers must have the ability to take shifts during the summer months.

Crisis Line volunteers must complete an intensive training program consisting of a total of 20 hours.  The next volunteer training is scheduled for February 21, February 23, February 28, and March 2.  Sessions will be held at the Mental Health Center, and will run from 5:30 PM to 9 PM.  Potential volunteers must attend all four sessions, as well as two 3-hour on-the-job sessions.  

For further information, please contact Barb Bressner, Crisis Line Coordinator, at 373-2430 or by e-mail at bbressner at mhcenter.org.  

8.  PERFECT PROM PROJECT DONATIONS
The Perfect Prom Project is ready to accept your donations of formal dresses, shoes, purses, and accessories.  These donations will be provided for free to Champaign-Urbana high school girls who may not be able to otherwise afford them.  There is a donation box at the Office of Volunteer Programs.  Other drop-off locations will be added as the school year progresses.  Visit http://www.uiuc.edu/ro/prom/ or the Perfect Prom Project group on facebook for more information on how you can help with this cause.

9.  DOUGLASS CENTER AFTER SCHOOL PROGRAM
The Champaign Park District is looking for volunteers to assist in its Douglass Community Center after school program.  Please contact Terry Elmore by e-mail at terry.elmore at cparkdistrict.com if you are interested.

10.  VISIONARIES EDUCATING YOUTH AND ADULTS
Visionaries Educating Youth and Adults (VEYA) needs volunteers to tutor and mentor students in the community (grade school to high school age).  The program is located on campus, in the Education Building.  Please contact Maria Thompson at cu at veya.org if you are interested in helping out.

11.  OVP FACEBOOK GROUP
Want more information on volunteer opportunities?  Want to connect with other volunteers?  Check out the Office of Volunteer Programs group on facebook.
Have a wonderful week! 

Stu Schaff
Williams Intern

Office of Volunteer Programs
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
277 Illini Union (in the Student Organizations Complex)
Phone: 217-333-7424
E-mail: ovp at uiuc.edu
Web: http://www.union.uiuc.edu/ovp/