United Way of Northwest Vermont – Volunteer Connection Listings
Week of November 20, 2017
By Sue Alenick, United Way Volunteer Columnist
GIVE THE GIFT OF TIME! United Way of Northwest Vermont’s mobile-friendly Volunteer Connection search platform connects you to hundreds of volunteer needs with local nonprofits. Go to www.unitedwaynwvt.galaxydigital.com or contact us at volctr@unitedwaynwvt.org or 860-1677 to find more needs.
SINGLE PARENTS – Champlain College Single Parent Program needs volunteers for their Holiday Sponsorship Program. Volunteers are matched with a single parent student and his or her children to provide them with gifts from their wish list. Contact Hilary Watson at 860-2723 or email hwatson@champlain.edu.
DROP OFF DAYS – Lund is in need of volunteers to sort donations received at the Hoehl Family Building and to thank donors for their kindness. Two-hour shifts on November 29, December 1 and December 8 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m., and December 6 and December 13 from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Contact Julie Richards at 864-7467, Ext. 2028, or email julier@lundvt.org.
RING THE BELL – Salvation Army invites individuals, families, and groups to volunteer at its red kettles at various sites in Burlington, South Burlington, Essex, Williston, St. Albans and more. Shifts are available Mondays through Saturdays through December 24th from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. There is also a need for volunteers to help set up the Christmas Castle, pack toys, help distribute toys, and more, Monday–Friday, 9:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. and some evenings. Contact Dominic Nicoll at 864-6991, Ext. 101, or email Dominic.Nicoll@use.salvationarmy.org.
ALL WRAPPED UP – Vermont CARES has need of dozens of volunteers to wrap presents in exchange for donations at Burlington Town Center beginning on December 15th. 3-hour shifts can accommodate 5 or 6 volunteers, so this is a great group or family or group opportunity. Email peter@vtcares.org.
FESTIVAL! – The Vermont International Festival celebrates the many cultures that make up our community with displays of crafts, performing arts, ethnic foods and traditions. Volunteers are needed during the event, December 1-3 and for several days prior to the event for help with setting up, hanging flags, covering tables, selling tickets and food tokens, and various other tasks. Contact April Werner at 863-6713 or email april@vpal-us.org.
IN THE BARREL – Toys for Kids is looking for volunteers to check their red toy donations barrels at sites throughout Chittenden County through December 22nd. Volunteers can then deliver the toys to a Williston collection site. Contact John Welsh at 872-0354.
TURKEY TIME – Chittenden Emergency Food Shelf needs volunteers to help with the following tasks: greeting donors as they deliver turkeys, controlling traffic in the parking lot, offering refreshments to donors, weighing and recoding turkeys and taking them to the distribution area, and signing clients in and directing them on how to receive turkeys. Monday–Friday in November, shifts between 8:30 a.m. and 4 p.m. Contact Anna McManon at 658-7939, Ext. 32 or email amcmahon@cvoeo.org.
THE GIFT OF READING – Fletcher Free Library invites volunteers to share the joy of reading during their 27th annual “Books for Children Gift Campaign.” Choose from a list of books or make your own selections, then purchase books at Crow Bookshop or Phoenix Books for a discount. Books will be distributed to children through the Burlington Community Center, Head Start preschools, and COTS shelters. Contact Rebecca Goldberg at 865-7216 or email rgoldberg@Burlingtonvt.gov.
A CHILD WAITS – Steps to End Domestic Violence invites volunteers to sponsor a child affected by domestic violence by fulfilling a holiday wish list. Volunteers will be provided with the age and gender of the child and the option to buy up to four gifts not to exceed $100. Businesses and organizations are invited to consider sponsoring a whole family. Volunteers can also help organize donated gifts. Contact Kelly Dougherty at 658-3131 or email kellyd@stepsvt.org.
RING IN THE NEW – First Night Burlington needs volunteers to help make this annual celebration happen. Choose from the tasks that most appeal to you: Site Assistants, Button Sellers, Art Assistants, Dancing Dragon, Office Assistants and Shuttle Assistants. Shifts are about 3 hours long. Volunteers receive a free First Night button. Pre-event volunteers are also needed. Contact Muffie Milens at 863-6005 or email muffie@firstnightburlington.com.
FIRST RUN – RunVermont needs volunteer help for its 30th annual First Run 5K and Youth Fun Run on January 1, 2018. Volunteers can staff the registration table, help with children’s activities, help with food set up, and more. A great, festive way to start the New Year! Contact Chuck Spear at 863-8412 or email volunteer@runvermont.org.