Serve in Big Way

There are currently over 500 children – 76% of whom are boys – in Northeast Indiana on the waiting list for an adult role model. And almost as many children are waiting to be put on the waiting list. This is a big problem that needs a Big answer. You!

Our Little throwing the first pitch at a TinCaps game.

This is one organization and opportunity close to my heart. My husband was matched with his Little in the community-based mentoring program over a year ago. We see the growth and development in our Little, but being matched has meant so much to our lives. I promise you, if you’re willing to make the commitment, you’ll see the benefits. Another thing I promise, you have time to do this!

Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana has a goal of 300 new “Bigs” in the next month. There are several ways you can have an impact and get involved:

Community-Based Mentoring

• Bigs and Littles meet together one-on-one, out in the community to share fun activities like playing catch, going to the zoo, or baking cookies.
• Matches meet 2-4 times per month for one year.

Site-Based Mentoring: School Buddies

• Bigs and Littles meet in a local school to eat lunch, read, work on academics or simply spend time together playing games or talking.
• Matches meet 1 hour per week for the duration of the school year.

Visit www.bbbsnei.org or call 888-456-1600 to start something BIG today!

 

About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana

In 2011, Big Brothers Big Sisters matched more than 1,773 children with a caring adult mentor in our 13-county service area. Our site-based mentoring program is in more than 75 elementary schools across Northeast Indiana and South-central Michigan. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Northeast Indiana has one of the largest mentoring programs in the Midwest – serving more children than Indianapolis, Chicago and Cincinnati.

Volunteer with Vincent Village

We recently received the following opportunity to volunteer with Vincent Village. It sounds like an excellent opportunity for individuals who may not feel like they often have the needed skills to serve. If you’re interested and can make a commitment, consider this:

We need people who are interested in coming in:

• At least once a week
• From 3:30-5:30 pm
• Monday through Thursday
• It’s a very structured setting serving around 1-15 students per day.

Skill Requirements:

• There are no requirements.
• Great opportunity for high school students, college students, and even seniors come to help.
• Make a consistent commitment to coming.

Your potential impact is huge. The children need more than just help on their homework. Often, the kids are craving mentors and people (especially adults) they can count on. There is a very high percentage of children who are homeless and are below grade level. Since they tend to switch schools often and have many more pressing and traumatic experiences to deal with, academic success is often low on their priority list. As a volunteer, you’ll work to make connections with the students that go beyond the 2 hour time commitment.

If you or someone you know would be interested, please contact Danielle Peterson at 260-456-4172 x237

Several Options to be a Hospice Volunteer

We try to regularly share volunteer opportunities with you on this blog. Some are one-day projects, while others last a bit longer. This opportunity is one that can have a profound impact on both your life and the person you serve. How do I know? Because I was a hospice volunteer.

Parkview Hospice is currently in need of volunteers in Allen, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, and Whitley counties. Typically, it is a one to four hour commitment each week. Current needs include weekdays so that caregivers can rest or leave for appointments. Each opportunity depends on the patient and caregiver needs but can include simply visiting with the patient and offering both them and their caregiver needed support.

If you’re interested in volunteering, you will need to complete a training class prior to being assigned. There are classes beginning next week!
Schedule of classes

• 12:30-4:30 p.m.
• Tuesdays Nov. 15, 22 and 29 and Dec. 6 and 13
• At Parkview Home Health & Hospice office, 1900 Carew St., Suite 6 in Fort Wayne.

Everyone is encouraged to volunteer! There are a few special opportunities to note including:

• Vet to Vet, a new program being developed for veterans to be trained as Parkview Hospice volunteers to assist other veterans who are Parkview Hospice patients.
• Students from around northeast Indiana are also encouraged to register to be a volunteer.

For more information or to register for the training classes, call (260) 373-9896.

Serve with your barista?

I am a fan of Starbucks in the morning, but I’m usually placing my order at the drive-thru. Recently, I went inside to order and was intrigued to find this sign right above the “Pick of the Week”. I was curious enough about the opportunity to follow the instructions. Here is what I found.

How disappointing! It is surprising that I saw this sign at the store on Lima Road in front of Meijer but yet there are no Fort Wayne opportunities posted. And, if you click Indianapolis to filter, no results are returned. Perhaps the opportunities will grow.

Starbucks, if you’re listening, there are a lot of change makers in Fort Wayne and we’re always looking for new ways to serve with one another. I hope you decide to join us soon. All the best, @HSchoegler.

End of Summer Service

Recently, I heard two radio DJs talking about how the end of Summer weather is nearing and if you had plans to enjoy the warm outdoors, you should plan to do so soon. That made me think about what the warm weather allows us to do as far as service and community involvement. What are those outdoor ideas you have that would be all the more pleasant if you could do them in warm weather.

Here are a few ideas for serving and being engaged in community as Summer ends.

   

Farmer’s markets. While this doesn’t fall under the area of service, by attending you are getting involved in your local community. It’s double-duty because you are also supporting your local growers and producers by giving them patronage. Some local markets are year-round, but others like Barr Street Market are seasonal. So, get ’em while the gettin’ is good.

Outdoor service projects – I am sure there are plenty of service projects that would love to have your help. An easy place to get started is NeighborLink who has projects for the novice to the expert.

Outdoor fundraisers – What a better time than now to look at your favorite non-profits and see how they could be supported. Many  have outdoor fundraisers or walks that take place in the next few months. Don’t wait. Sign-up now. If I can make a suggestion, definitely check out Walk a Mile in Her Shoes. It’s a fun event and the cause is great – in spirit and scale. And, if you find the non-profit you’re interested in doesn’t have a current opportunity, look into an event like Fort4Fitness. Many non-profits would love for you to ‘join their team’ and raise money for them with your miles. I know there are already people running in support of NeighborLink and She Has A Name.

Fall fundraisers – Don’t just save the date, but put it into your budget NOW to attend an event this fall. I support both Erin’s House and Ronald McDonald House Charities of Northeast Indiana and both have fundraisers coming up this fall. Maybe Wine for the Spirit or the Rhinestone Rodeo is where you’ll choose to invest.

How do you plan to take advantage of the warm weather while it lasts?

Volunteers Needed for Fort4Fitness

Many of you may be signed up to run or walk in the event. But, for those of you who are not and would still like to be involved in this growing community event that is making a name for itself in the region, your help is welcomed!

Per Adam Smith, Fort4Fitness Volunteer Coordinator:

We are looking for help on

• Friday, September 23^th

1. Shift 1 runs from 12:30 pm – 5:30 pm.
2. Shift 2 runs from 5:00 pm – 9:30 pm.

• Saturday September 24^th

1. 1 shift running from 6:30am – 1pm.

If you would like to help, please email  Fort4FitnessVolunteer@gmail.com  with the

• date(s) and
• time(s) you would like to volunteer
• along with your contact information. (name, email address, & phone #)

If you have already signed up to help, please reconfirm the dates, times & contact info us.

Fort 4 Fitness would not be possible without the help of Volunteers. Thank You for your willingness to help & I hope to hear from you soon!

Immediate Need for Chalk Walk Volunteers

Image taken by Heather Schoegler at the 2010 Chalk Walk

The Fort Wayne Museum of Art needs your help! This year’s Chalk Walk takes place on this Saturday and Sunday (July 9th and 10th), with set up and early check in starting on Friday July 8th. They have volunteer opportunities in lot of different areas and an array of time slots to fill.

Positions this year include:

• Info Desk: These kind folks get to answer any questions that participants or visitors might have regarding the event. Don’t worry, we’ll give you the answers to the most popular questions! Shifts: Saturday Noon – 5pm and Sunday 10am – 5pm (Shifts are broken into 2 hour slots starting)

• Creation Stations: Love working with kids to create their own little art projects? This spot is for you! You’ll be working with two other individuals at all times to help kids complete two different crafts that we’ve developed specially for this event. Shifts: Saturday 9am – 5pm and Sunday 9am – 5pm (Shifts are broken into 2 hour slots)

• Entertainment Stagehands: We’ve added an entertainment stage this year and we need a few folks to help our entertainers get all set and tear down. Shifts: Saturday 11am – 6pm and Sunday 11am – 6pm (Shifts are broken into 2 hour slots)

• Waterers: Each year we have beautiful flowers donated by Aesthetic Plant Specialists and we need help bringing them out each morning and watering them and then bringing them back in each evening and watering them. Shifts: Saturday 6pm – 8pm

• Sunday Afternoon Tear Down: At the end of this fantastic weekend we’ll need a few able bodies to help breakdown tents, clean up the areas and all of the other fun things that happen during tear down! Shifts: Sunday 5pm – 8pm

There is an opportunity for everyone to help at this year’s Chalk Walk!

Contact: Justin Clupper, Fort Wayne Museum of Art (260) 422-6467 or justinclupper@gmail.com.

Volunteers Needed for the Allen County SPCA

Lenora, one of Amber's Great Danes

Those of you who know me, know that my two girls, Lucy and Lenora, a pair of Great Danes, are a HUGE part of my life. Because of them, I have a very special place in my heart for the SPCA and its mission to promote the prevention of cruelty to animals.

Here are two ways you can volunteer to help the organization.

The Allen County SPCA will be holding a family bike ride on September 10 as a part of Northeast Indiana’s Kennel Club Responsible Dog Owners Day. The organizations is looking for adults aged 18 and older to help volunteer for the committee to plan the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please call 260-744-0454 ext 201 – say which event you are volunteering for, provide your contact information and the best time to be reached. You can also email  info@acspca.org.

Another event that needs volunteers for the planning is the Allen County SPCA Cat Walk on November 6. To find out more about the Cat Walk visit www.allencountyspcacatwalk.org. Volunteers are needed to help plan the event and help the night of the event on November 6^th. Please call 260-744-0454 ext 201 – say which event you are volunteering for, provide your contact information and the best time to be reached. You can also email info@acspca.org.