Kindness, the key to happiness. 

We often think of happiness as something outside of ourselves. A vacation, new shirt, or a meal out. 

However, we each have the power within ourselves to create great change in our communities through kindness. 

When we connect to others, we spread the gift of hope. This creates a ripple effect. Good things and happiness will follow. 

Don't miss out on this wave of happiness.

Join in by volunteering in your community. It is as simple as writing a birthday card, reading to a child, or stringin' beans. 

Smiles are a guaranteed result !
VOLUNTEER GIGS!
NEW Tucker County
Volunteer Program

Whether you are a high school student seeking community service hours, a professional hoping to spend time serving with a nonprofit, or a recent retiree settling into the next stage of life, the Foundation Volunteer Portal has an opportunity waiting for you! 

Organizations currently listed include: ArtSpring,The Tucker Community Foundation, Blackwater Ministerial Association, Canaan Valley Woman's Club, Cortland Acres, The Family Resource Network, Heart of the Highlands, New Historic Thomas, and Parson's Revitalization Organization. 

Learn more here. 

8th Annual Bean Stringin'
August 12th | Charleston  

This family friendly event provides fresh green beans for Manna Meal to serve throughout the year. 

Last year, attendees at the Annual Bean Stringing collected, strung and packed away 613 pounds of green beans for Manna Meal. The goal for this year is 700 pounds.  

There will be a live band, door prizes and opportunities to enter to win great raffle prizes from area artists, merchants, and businesses. All ages are welcome! 

August 12th 10AM - 2PM, Capitol Market 800 Smith Street, Charleston, WV. 
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Animal Friends Thrift Shoppe 
Ongoing | Morgantown 

Animal Friends Thrift Shoppe located in Morgantown supports their "no-kill" sanctuary. All items donated to the thrift shoppe need cleaned, priced and sold.

Animal Friends accepts volunteers on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday from 11-5 pm and on Saturdays from 10-5 pm.  
If you have a special place in your heart for animals, please give them a hand. Walk-ins are welcomed! Learn more.    
Birthday Celebrations 
Ongoing | Parkersburg

Such a sweet project! 

Make someone's day by sending out birthday and anniversary letters to individuals noted in the newspaper.

Anyone 80 or 90 years of age 
or older.  Any anniversary 50, 60 or more.  Learn more here . 
Energy Express 
Statewide

Want to volunteer this summer? Love kids?

Chances are there is an Energy Express program near you!

Volunteers are needed to read to children, lead youth activities, and serve healthy meals. 

Learn more here , or contact John Lyonett  at 304-293-3855 to sign up. 
Grow Ohio Valley 
AmeriCorps  | Wheeling Area 

Help school-kids sink their hands into
the soil. Get your hands dirty in urban
farms, orchards, and greenhouses.
Gain hands-on experience working to
instigate a local food economy in
Wheeling. 

As an AmeriCorps volunteer with Grow Ohio Valley, you will receive a monthly living stipend, Education Award for college or student loans, career development, and more.  Learn more here .

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Literacy Volunteers 
of the Eastern Panhandle 
Ongoing | Martinsburg 

Teach your neighbors how to read, there are so many ways to help!

Be a . .  .
  • Basic literacy or ESL tutor 
  • Financial literacy volunteer
  • Health literacy volunteer
  • Computer literacy volunteer
Learn more here. 
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Wheeling YMCA 
Ongoing | Wheeling

Passionate about health? Sports? Fitness? This might be the perfect gig for you!

The Wheeling YMCA is seeking volunteers to coach and referee sports teams, motivate & mentor youth, and e xtend a hand to help adults who want to do more, be more or live healthier.

Learn more here. 
AMERICORPS NEWS 
Earn a Masters Degree
Through  AmeriCorps

Now only in West Virginia can you earn a Masters Degree through two years of  AmeriCorps  service!

We have partnered with Future Generations University   to take AmeriCorps  to the next level. 

Learn more here. 

Bridging West Virginia's 
Employment Gap 

At a time when transitioning to West Virginia's new economy and retaining young talent are of critical concern to decision makers and businesses alike,
connecting private sector employers with West Virginia's National Service Alumni, such as AmeriCorps volunteers is a vital opportunity that could be a game changer for the Mountain State.

Read on  here .

Thank you Energy Express! 

Did you know there are 510  AmeriCorps  volunteers serving West Virginia's children in  Energy Express  this summer?

Hailed as the county's largest summer AmeriCorps program, volunteers help students  maintain reading levels during summer months through creative, colorful and captivating uses of art, drama and vocabulary. 

The program  also provides children with two nutritious meals each day.

With the help of these volunteers, 3,000 West Virginia children are served each summer. Thank you all for your service! 

Alum Spotlight 

Cindy Camp Karelis's AmeriCorps VISTA service in Beverly, West Virginia showed her town she was a worker bee. 

"Only months after my service year ended, they elected me their mayor. Never saw that in my future before AmeriCorps," said Cindy. 

Go Cindy!!! Stories like this show the true impact of AmeriCorps.

AmeriCorps, 
Still Helping in the Flood Zone 

One year into flood recovery efforts, AmeriCorps volunteers are still on the scene. 

Matched with Long Term Flood Recovery Committees in Greenbrier, Kanawha, Clay, and Fayette County, AmeriCorps VISTAs (Volunteers In Service to America) help organize volunteers from near and far to help rebuild homes.

Many of these volunteers have been helping with flood recovery efforts from day one. 

Volunteers leading volunteers, we are so grateful for their help! 
OTHER NEWS!
West Virginia
Nonprofit Excellence Awards 

Do you know an outstanding Mountain State Nonprofit? 

Nominate them for a West Virginia Nonprofit Excellent Award! 

Nominees will be recognized at the West Virginia Nonprofit Leadership Summit this October in Charleston.

Self-nominations are encouraged!
  • Have your organization highlighted in the press and on the WVNPA website. 
  • Get one registration to the Summit for free. 
  • Any WV nonprofit can apply.
Nominate a worthy organization by August 15th, learn more here.
Need Volunteers? 

If you have a volunteer opportunity you would like us to promote please let 
Dana  know. 

We also have a TV Show! Find out how you can get your organization promoted on the TV show Volunteering in West Virginia. Airs 16 times a month on the Library Channel. Contact Lisa for more information. 
STAY CONNECTED