November 5, 2012
This newsletter highlights various community service opportunities that exist for students to be involved with in Springfield. Further, we feature service and leadership opportunities in the Center for Leadership & Volunteerism, Bear Blitz Service Days, and other student organization service opportunities that are open to the entire campus.
If you wish to be removed from this newsletter or have something to add please e-mail .
* Indicates Community Opportunities count for scholarship and FSL hours
Tyler McLain
Student Specialist for
Volunteer Programs / Patrick Grayshaw
Assistant Director for Volunteer Programs
Office of Student Engagement
NEW CENTER FOR LEADERSHIP & VOLUNTEERISM
Across from the Office of Student Engagement where Campus Recreation Offices previously occupied, the new Center for Leadership & Volunteerism is coming to life. The programs housed here will have a brand new focus to support students, feature some state of the art design, and is open to all students to visit.
Our programs are not changing, merely growing. The space will feature the leadership development programs that have been taking place such as Centennial Leaders, Emerging Leaders, and the Distinction in Public Affairs program. Further, the new volunteer programs that have developed in the past year will also be featured there. Students will be able to sign up to participate in the Bear Blitz Service Days, immersion trips/alternative breaks, and find out about other volunteer opportunities in the community!
This space features photos of students doing service and participating in leadership programs on the outside. Those with MORSE code skills may recognize that the photos and lights are loosely designed on an S.O.S pattern focusing on our abilities to fix our problems and come to those in need. Inside the space, a large green glass wall will feature current programs and announcements as the space’s primary dry erase surface.
On the back wall students will notice ceiling to floor images of famous leaders that have shaped our world. This inspirational space, which also will house Citizenship & Service-Learning, is open for all students to stop in and learn more about service opportunities, leadership development, and other ways to be involved in the community. When it opens, before the end of the semester, be sure to stop in and check out the brand new space!
Meals A Million *
Friends AgainstHungeris a nonprofit organization focused on feeding the hungry in the United States and worldwide. Missouri State University is looking for students, faculty, and staff to fill over 4,000 volunteer spots to help package meals!
Over the weekend of November 9th - 11th, the community will come together to package these meals. Every half hour, 100 volunteers will start packaging food. This all will take place in the Springfield Expo Center. Students, faculty, and staffcan register to participate in one of the designated Missouri State University spots.
When: November 9th – 11th
Register At: http://www.missouristate.edu/volunteer/117975.htm
Veterans Appreciation Week (Nov. 5-9)*
Tuesday, November 6 – Fireside Chats with Veterans - From 2:30PM – 6PM in the PSU Theater
Volunteers are needed to help escort and seat veteran presenters, greet guests, help direct off campus guests from parking lot to PSU, and assist with passing out materials/set up of event
Friday, November 9 – MSU Alliance Breakfast (PSU Ballroom), MSU Alliance TAPS Project (North Mall)
From 8AM – 11:00AM
Volunteers are needed to help escort guests, veterans, and others to the breakfast and then to the TAPS project as well as miscellaneous tasks as they are needed through these events
Contact: Kim Sahr
Email:
Junior Achievement of Southwest Missouri*
Junior Achievement empowers young people to own their economic success, with in-classroom curriculum (provided by volunteers) in business, management, entrepreneurship, marketing, planning and zoning, and other similar areas for students K-12.
Volunteers are needed to provide our curriculum in classrooms of students in K-12 in schools in both Greene and Christian counties. We have opportunities now until the end of the fall semester, and throughout the spring semester.
Times and dates of service are decided upon by the volunteer and teacher of the classroom you are matched with, after you have registered to become a JA volunteer. Apply at http://www.jamvi.org/form/volunteer-application.
Contact: Linda Harvey-Yates, District manager
E-mail:
Phone: 417-827-8460
Website: http://www.jaswmo.org
The Salvation Army – Volunteer Bellringers *
Hundreds of volunteers are needed to simply ring the bells at The Salvation Army's iconic red kettles! Volunteer bellringers are needed at red kettle locations throughout the Ozarks at places such as Dillons, Walgreens, Hy-Vee, Battlefield Mall, TJ Maxx and Bass Pro. The funds raised at the red kettles allow The Salvation Army to provide much-needed assistance to local residents in need all year long.
Volunteers needed from Nov. 9th - Dec. 24th; Monday through Saturday from 11 am until 8 pm
Contact: Victoria Knight
Phone: 862-5509 ext.144
E-mail:
Website: http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/springfield-mo
The Salvation Army - Wehrenberg Theaters' Cans Film Festival*
Volunteers are needed to help sort and pack canned food items donated during Wehrenberg Theaters' Cans Film Festival. The donated food received during this food drive helps restock The Salvation Army's Emergency Food Pantry during a time when donations are typically low.
When: Sat. December 1st; Shift #2:3 pm - 6 pm & Shift #3: 6 pm - 9 pm
Contact: Audrey Esther
Phone: (417) 862-5509 ext.116
E-mail:
Website: http://www.usc.salvationarmy.org/springfield-mo
Ozarks Public Television*
OPT needs YOU to help make our December fundraiser a success! We need 3-6 volunteers per shift to answer phones and take pledges. Shifts are approximately 3-4 hours each. If you volunteer as part of an organization, the organization can get on-air recognition. In order to receive on-air recognition, please respond by Wednesday, November 14.
When: Monday, November 26 through Wednesday, December 12
Contact: Sue Camp
Phone: 417-836-3505
Website: www.optv.org
James River Basin Partnership – Watershed Festivals*
2012 Watershed Festivals for the 5th graders in Christian County! We need your help!
The focus of the festival is to give an understanding of point and nonpoint source pollution and what individuals can do to prevent them. Information in the activities and discussion in each station will specifically address local issues concerning nonpoint source pollution. Educators will emphasize the human connection to the local waterways of Table Rock Lake, Lake Taneycomo, Bull Shoals Lake and James River. They will emphasize the correlation between these very waterways where participating students swim, fish and canoe. Students will relate concepts to their personal experiences. This festival will be held over 5 different days to accommodate all participating schools.
Food: Breakfast snacks for early birds and lunch is provided! It will be a delicious home cooked meal! Bring your own water bottles and/or coffee mugs
Volunteer training: Friday October 26th from 1:00-2:30. Alternatively, you can also consider visiting any prior festival day to your scheduled volunteer time. Obviously if you are scheduled for the 1st day you must be trained prior to teaching an activity for the 1st time.
Where: Nixa Community Center
When: November 7th, 8th, 12th, 14th, and 15th
Time: 8:00am-1:00
Contact: Kellie Herman - James River Basin Partnership
Email: jamesriverbasin.com
Phone: (417) 836-3756
Ambassadors for Children*
Ambassadors for Children is a Service Agency of the Council of Churches. Our mission is to help Green County foster children by giving them brand new clothing, hygiene items, self-esteem building items, Christmas presents, Prom dresses, etc. Our goal is to stop the cycle of abuse and neglect in Springfield by building a child’s self-esteem. Ambassadors for Children is a nonprofit that is completely funded by private grants and donations.
Our programs include: Kid’s Closet, Pack-a-Bag, Tutoring, Project Self-Esteem, Adopt-a-Caseworker, Prom Closet, and the Christmas Program.
Contact: Denée Fay - Assistant Program Coordinator
Address: 500 W. Battlefield, Suite B. Springfield, MO 65807
Phone: 417-708-0565 ext. 203
Email:
Springfield Sleepout
The 4th Annual Springfield Sleepout is happening on November 9th through the morning of November 10th, all proceeds benefit Rare Breed Youth Services, a program of The Kitchen. The Sleepout will be held on MSU’s Plaster Stadium, the event is essentially a homeless simulation, all event participants “sleepout” on the field in cardboard homes they’ve created or tents/sleeping bags to gain a better understanding of what it is like to be homeless. We judge their cardboard homes, have a thrift store fashion show and trivia with lots of great prizes. Entertainment includes music, field games, homeless youth trivia contest, and homeless themed movies. Indoor activities and warming access will be available
When: November 9th to 10th
Where: MSU Plaster Sports complex
Volunteer Needs at Discovery Center*
Festival of Trees on Saturday, Nov. 17.
We need two shifts of volunteers-one from 5:00 PM (they will be fed dinner)-10:30PM or as late as they can, up to 10:30 and one shift from 8:30PM- 10:30 (or until finished) for additional help with organizing auction items and clean up.
*We can always use more volunteers on weekends so just let me know what works best for your organization. Please have students contact me to arrange dates and times.*
Contact Info: Alison Pettit - Museum Manager - Discovery Center of Springfield
Where: 438 East St. Louis Street Springfield, MO 65806
Phone: 417-862-9910 ext. 709
Website: www.discoverycenter.com
Newborns in Need and the Springfield Diaper Bank*
We are looking for a group of students to work alongside our Board members to develop an annual fundraising program. This program will meet our budget needs. We will be setting up Diaper Drives, writing grant proposals, seeking donors and sponsors, creating fundraising events and also developing a successful website and Facebook page. Meetings can occur any weekday evening or Saturday mornings. Much of the work can be done through email and phone calls in the students own time.
Service Location: 712 W. Sunshine, Springfield 65807
Contact: Jill Bright
E-mail:
Phone: 417 848 5049
Website: http://www.newbornsinneedspringfield.org
Ozarks Food Harvest Volunteer Program*
Did you know that one hour of volunteer time helps The Food Bank provide 105 meals to those in need? Ozarks Food Harvest is the only food bank in southwest Missouri, serving more than 250 nonprofit members across 28 Ozarks counties. The Food Bank reaches more than 20,000 individuals weekly and distributes 12 million pounds of food annually. This would not be possible without generous volunteers like YOU!
Weekday Sessions - Monday to Thursday (Morning Session: 9 am - 12 pm or Afternoon Session: 1 - 4 pm)
Evening and Weekend Sessions (Tuesday Evening: 6 - 9 pm or Saturday: 9 am - 12 pm and 1 – 4 pm)
Schedule your session today! Sign up through OFH’s online Volunteer Center at www.ozarksfoodharvest.org/volunteer or contact Jennifer Sickinger at 417.865.3411 ext 114.
Victory Trade School*
Looking for enthusiastic volunteers to tutor students dedicated to obtaining their GED. The GED program at Victory Trade School is a residential, continuing education program that assists students in acquiring life skills while working towards the completion of their GED. We would greatly appreciate volunteers willing to tutor students in any high school equivalent subjects: Math, Essay Writing, Science, Social Studies, and Reading Comprehension.
When: Year round, Weekdays, study hours from 3:30-6pm (flexible). Open to weekend hours.
Who: Justys Renegado, 417-864-2276,
More Information: http://victorytradeschool.edu/prep_progra.as
Boys & Girls Club *
Boys & Girls Clubs are in need of tutors during their “Power Hour” from 4:15 to 5:15. However tutors are needed anytime between 3:30 and 8:00pm Mondays through Fridays. The typical time commitment is an hour or two a week. This program emphases through these programs are education and helping members with their homework.
When: Monday to Friday anytime between 3:30 and 8 P.M.
Contact: Cindy Dodson –
It's time to pack our school bags! *
School starts this week! How many backpacks will be sitting by your door readytogo?Two? Three?
Can you imagine packing more than 1,000 each week...or 4,000 every month? In nearly 40 schools in Springfield and surrounding communities, Ozarks Food Harvest helps feed kids in need every weekend of the entire school year thanks to the Weekend Backpack Program.
The Backpack Program is brilliant in its simplicity. Every Friday, the children are given a bag, only instead of books, it's filled with nutritious, easy-to-prepare food that will keep them going through the weekend.
Tuesday Evenings: 6 - 9 p.m.
Saturday Sessions: 9 a.m. - noon OR 1 - 4 p.m.
More Information: Weekend Backpack Program