Monday lunch is a weekly service opportunity that is offered at United Methodist Church (UMC) on College St. in Athens. Volunteers arrive starting at 9 am to help prepare the food for that day's lunch. Most volunteers sign up for one hour shifts and can prepare, serve, eat or clean up the food depending on when they arrive.
This service project has become increasingly important during the current economic crisis. The lunch provides an opportunity for people who are a part of the lower-income bracket to save money on at least one meal a week.
"Most of the people serve don't have a strong support group," explains Brendan Heil, an occasional volunteer at Monday Lunch. "They don't have the means or they don't have family, friends or other connections in the area."
John Gedeon, a regular volunteer at the Monday Lunch program, says that a wide variety of people participate. "There are lots of foreign exchange students, people who rely on free meals, students as well as teachers."
Gedeon explains the experience as similar to "cooking with Grandma." The long term staff who organize the meals figure out what type of meal can be made from the food donations that usually come from the Athens Food bank and then split up the duties. They then share their cooking knowledge with the people who help prepare the food. Also like grandma, they insist that no one leaves hungry, volunteers included.
"Serving at Monday Lunch is different from other free meal programs," Gedeon says, "It's not the rich serving the poor. Everyone is always so nice and everyone eats as a community."
When asked why he goes to Monday Lunch, Heil says that it is an easy job to do and a good way to give back to the community. It is also a convenient service project being on College St. and a manageable volunteer opportunity to add into a hectic schedule.
Gedeon relates his love for Monday Lunch with his love for cooking. This aspect is what initially got him interested in the project, but the people and the friendly atmosphere are what keep him going back for more.
Half of the volunteers at any given shift at Monday Lunch are from Alpha Phi Omega, while the other half come from various organizations or individual interests around campus.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Friday, February 27, 2009
Last Chance Corral
Last Chance Corral is a place that offers shelter and help to horses that have been neglected, abandoned or abused. They offer psychological and/or physiological help to these animals. Most of the horses that stay at the Last Chance Corral have been given away because the owners either could not or did not want to care for them anymore. Full-time employees provide treatment and care to the animals, while volunteers help with the maintenance and necessary duties of running a shelter.
A lot of times, by the time the horses reach the Last Chance Corral they have not received the kind of love they need to be healthy and happy. Last Chance offers a place where they are constantly surrounded by loving volunteers and staff members who work to rehabilitate them. After they are healthy enough to move on, Last Chance finds the horses a home that suits their needs and skill level.
Every Sunday morning a group of volunteers from APhiO goes to the barn at the Last Chance Corral. They help clean the barn and sweep out the stalls. I know, this does not sound like the ideal way to spend a lazy Sunday morning, but the volunteers who go once usually return on a regular basis. Not only are they making it possible for the Last Chance to function, but they also get to spend time with the horses and bond with fellow volunteers.
A lot of times, by the time the horses reach the Last Chance Corral they have not received the kind of love they need to be healthy and happy. Last Chance offers a place where they are constantly surrounded by loving volunteers and staff members who work to rehabilitate them. After they are healthy enough to move on, Last Chance finds the horses a home that suits their needs and skill level.
Every Sunday morning a group of volunteers from APhiO goes to the barn at the Last Chance Corral. They help clean the barn and sweep out the stalls. I know, this does not sound like the ideal way to spend a lazy Sunday morning, but the volunteers who go once usually return on a regular basis. Not only are they making it possible for the Last Chance to function, but they also get to spend time with the horses and bond with fellow volunteers.
Saturday, February 21, 2009
Good Works
Good Works is a community of hope, the only homeless shelter in 9 counties in Appalachia. They provide food, shelter and training for the future to individuals and families in need. The really special thing about Good Works is that they are not merely passing out freebies; the residents work together in a give-and-take relationship that will benefit them in the future. For example, in the Transformation Station at Good Works, residents help rebuild and fix cars or other technology so it can be used to help other people, as well as training them with tools that can be used in a work field.
Good Works is a project that was started by Keith Wasserman while he was a student at Ohio University. He opened up his basement on Elliot St. to local homeless people and the whole system grew from there. Volunteers can volunteer on a quarterly basis to help prepare the meals, spend time with residents, help with work training programs (teaching word processing, etc.), organizing the food cupboard and much more. They even have programs for groups who want to spend a weekend at the house to experience the faith-based living at Good Works.
To become a volunteer, you must contact Good Works and set up a tour. After that you fill out an application and you are on your way to a fulfilling life experience. Visit their website for more details. www.good-works.net
This quarter I have been planning a 5K with Brendan Heil through Alpha Phi Omega to support Good Works. The run/walk is on February 28th at noon and is $15. We are also putting on a benefit concert on Thursday, February 26th at Buffalo Wild Wings where all the proceeds will go to Good Works. Two-thirds of the money they need to run the different houses in Athens comes from donations. They really rely on our help to keep it running, so please come if you can!
Good Works is a project that was started by Keith Wasserman while he was a student at Ohio University. He opened up his basement on Elliot St. to local homeless people and the whole system grew from there. Volunteers can volunteer on a quarterly basis to help prepare the meals, spend time with residents, help with work training programs (teaching word processing, etc.), organizing the food cupboard and much more. They even have programs for groups who want to spend a weekend at the house to experience the faith-based living at Good Works.
To become a volunteer, you must contact Good Works and set up a tour. After that you fill out an application and you are on your way to a fulfilling life experience. Visit their website for more details. www.good-works.net
This quarter I have been planning a 5K with Brendan Heil through Alpha Phi Omega to support Good Works. The run/walk is on February 28th at noon and is $15. We are also putting on a benefit concert on Thursday, February 26th at Buffalo Wild Wings where all the proceeds will go to Good Works. Two-thirds of the money they need to run the different houses in Athens comes from donations. They really rely on our help to keep it running, so please come if you can!
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Related Web sites
Most of the service projects I have talked about have related Web sites. I included a link to the St. Bernard Project and this is definitely one that is worth visiting if you are interested in going to New Orleans to help rebuild. Liz McCartney, the founder of the St. Bernard Project, recently won the CNN Hero of the Year award for all the work she has done to help rebuild. There are stories about all the families they have helped, newspaper articles that have mentioned the project and much more.
Liz McCartney and our group from Winter 08
The St. Bernard Project works to get families who are especially in need back into their homes. This usually includes elderly homeowners and single parents. Visit this site if you are willing to donate time or money to this nonprofit organization.Big Brothers Big Sisters Athens also has a website that contains information about volunteering and fundraisers that are being put on to benefit BBBS. This site is http://www.bbbsathens.org/.
ATCO has a website about the different programs they host for employing adults with disabilities and how you can get involved. It also lists the phone number and office hours if you are interested in contacting them. http://atcoinc.org/
New Orleans
While doing service in Athens is an awesome way to learn more about the community and the people who live in it, going other places to volunteer is a way you can teach the community something new. One way to do this is to arrange a service trip that takes you outside of your comfort zone and into a whole new place.
It all started after Hurricane Katrina. There was devastation, loss and bureaucratic excuses plaguing New Orleans. The quote by Margaret Mead pretty perfectly summarizes the situation: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." In the absence of a strong force to cure the problems that were endlessly piling up, individuals and small groups from all around the world came together to fill in the gap.
A group of APhiOers took the opportunity to help out just a few months after the hurricane. They drove through the streets that were littered with debris, houses that slanted at strange angles and went to work with the St. Bernard Project gutting houses. Since that initial trip, we have organized five more trips to go down and volunteer over a break. I have participated in two such trips. Every time we come back with new experineces and new life lessons that overwhelm us and empower us to do more.
It all started after Hurricane Katrina. There was devastation, loss and bureaucratic excuses plaguing New Orleans. The quote by Margaret Mead pretty perfectly summarizes the situation: "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has." In the absence of a strong force to cure the problems that were endlessly piling up, individuals and small groups from all around the world came together to fill in the gap.
A group of APhiOers took the opportunity to help out just a few months after the hurricane. They drove through the streets that were littered with debris, houses that slanted at strange angles and went to work with the St. Bernard Project gutting houses. Since that initial trip, we have organized five more trips to go down and volunteer over a break. I have participated in two such trips. Every time we come back with new experineces and new life lessons that overwhelm us and empower us to do more.
The first time I went down, our group of fifteen people split up and worked on three separate sites. Two groups put up dry wall and our group put in floors, painted molding and put in doors. I've done little more than hold a hammer for my dad prior to going on this trip, and suddenly I was drilling and using power tools. My second trip (this past winter break), we did mold remediation for a house that was gutted and then sealed for three years. Let's just say damp wood, warm summers and insects do not lead to healthy living conditions.
The satisfaction of bringing a family one step closer to getting back into their was almost as motivating as the stories we heard from residents. They shared personal stories and experiences and welcomed us whole-heartedly into the unique community that can only be found in New Orleans.
We will continue to go back until they cease to need our help and, even after that, we will probably go down to visit the families that have accepted us into their hearts. This spring break I'm going again and the summer and winter are always good opportunities to go back as well. If you'd like to join us (or arrange your own trip) let me know and I can get you the contact information. Also visit stbernardproject.org.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Volunteer sites
Many areas in Ohio are in need of help and volunteers are ready and willing to be of service. A problem arises when there is an information gap between the two groups. To help solve this problem, different sites and blogs have come to life with lists of contacts and opportunities.
One such blog is done through Ohio.com when you visit the "Volunteer Opportunities" page. On any given day there is a list of the different organizations that need extra assistance and do not have the money to pay staff members. This site is very detailed, giving the hours of help needed, the contact information and details about the volunteer opportunity. People have the ability to post comments about the different projects or give advice to future volunteers. This is a definite perk about this blog because people who are on the edge can get more information outside of the organization they wish to volunteer for.
Organizations that need help can contact Ohio.com to get their information posted and let people know about their needs.
Servenet.org is another blog that connects interested volunteers with opportunities in different areas. This site allows you to search any zip code with projects posted. This is a very useful site if you move to a new area and want to find a community of like-minded, service-oriented individuals to spend your time with.
Not only does it include local service projects, but also connects you to long term volunteer programs. There is information about Americorp and other volunteer organizations and programs that can require a 10 month to 2 year dedication to service. This is also a good way to find opportunities for after graduation if you're not interested in entering the "real world" right away.
One such blog is done through Ohio.com when you visit the "Volunteer Opportunities" page. On any given day there is a list of the different organizations that need extra assistance and do not have the money to pay staff members. This site is very detailed, giving the hours of help needed, the contact information and details about the volunteer opportunity. People have the ability to post comments about the different projects or give advice to future volunteers. This is a definite perk about this blog because people who are on the edge can get more information outside of the organization they wish to volunteer for.
Organizations that need help can contact Ohio.com to get their information posted and let people know about their needs.
Servenet.org is another blog that connects interested volunteers with opportunities in different areas. This site allows you to search any zip code with projects posted. This is a very useful site if you move to a new area and want to find a community of like-minded, service-oriented individuals to spend your time with.
Not only does it include local service projects, but also connects you to long term volunteer programs. There is information about Americorp and other volunteer organizations and programs that can require a 10 month to 2 year dedication to service. This is also a good way to find opportunities for after graduation if you're not interested in entering the "real world" right away.Big Brothers/Big Sisters
Big Brothers/Big Sisters in Athens is an awesome opportunity to learn more about the area and come face to face with the struggles that people face everyday through the eyes of a child. This pure look at life can be intense at times, but, more than anything, it makes you glad to be a positive force in the community.
To start off with BBBS, paperwork is filled out and an interview is conducted. The paperwork includes a background check and your records after getting fingerprinted at the police station. The interview is an important tool used to match you up with a little that you can mentor and share interests with.
The last step before meeting your little is a training course that details the role you are going to take in this child's life. It includes information about what you should do if a child reveals that their home or caretakers are unsuitable or abusive in anyway and what appropriate conversations are like with a young child. They also explain how important you will be in the life of this child and how devastating it could be if you abandon your visits after developing a relationship with your little.
Littles are usually children who need extra help in school or do not get enough attention at home or are considered at-risk youth. My little falls in the second category. She lives with her aunt and uncle, cousins and siblings and tends to have trouble feeling heard at home. I visit her once a week during her lunch break at West Elementary and have been her big since the beginning of my sophomore year. Another program option is arranging activities with your little outside of school hours. Bigs have the opportunity to take their little to the movies, ice skating or any number of events. You get to choose based on your availability and how comfortable you feel.
There are SO many children who wish to have a Big just at West Elementary. If you think you could give the time, definitely take it into consideration. For one hour a week, you can really make a big difference.
If you are interested in becoming a Big or learning more about the program, contact Tara Gilts at taragilts@gmail.com.
To start off with BBBS, paperwork is filled out and an interview is conducted. The paperwork includes a background check and your records after getting fingerprinted at the police station. The interview is an important tool used to match you up with a little that you can mentor and share interests with.
The last step before meeting your little is a training course that details the role you are going to take in this child's life. It includes information about what you should do if a child reveals that their home or caretakers are unsuitable or abusive in anyway and what appropriate conversations are like with a young child. They also explain how important you will be in the life of this child and how devastating it could be if you abandon your visits after developing a relationship with your little.
Littles are usually children who need extra help in school or do not get enough attention at home or are considered at-risk youth. My little falls in the second category. She lives with her aunt and uncle, cousins and siblings and tends to have trouble feeling heard at home. I visit her once a week during her lunch break at West Elementary and have been her big since the beginning of my sophomore year. Another program option is arranging activities with your little outside of school hours. Bigs have the opportunity to take their little to the movies, ice skating or any number of events. You get to choose based on your availability and how comfortable you feel.
There are SO many children who wish to have a Big just at West Elementary. If you think you could give the time, definitely take it into consideration. For one hour a week, you can really make a big difference.
If you are interested in becoming a Big or learning more about the program, contact Tara Gilts at taragilts@gmail.com.
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