Volunteer News from the Desk of Dana Shapiro
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Happy New Year and welcome to the new quarterly edition of the JFCS volunteer newsletter!
As we kick off 2020, we look forward to staying connected with you and sharing volunteer news, program updates, stories, upcoming volunteer opportunities and more.
In this issue:
* Upcoming volunteer opportunities
* Volunteer highlight
* Staff Q&A with Hag Sameach Outreach Coordinator
* Hag Sameach pictures
As always, we appreciate your support!
Warmly,
Dana Shapiro, Community and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator
& Intake Counselor
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MLK Day of Service
This year, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 20 marks the 25th anniversary of the Day of Service, which celebrates the civil rights leader's life and legacy.
For more information on this and to find a volunteer opportunity in your area, visit the Corporation for National and Community Service website
here
.
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Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities!
2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 17
3630 Phillips Pkwy, St. Louis Park
We are seeking volunteers and their dogs for an upcoming Puppy Parade to be held at Sholom West on President's Day. This is a great opportunity for individuals and families to partake in. Maximum of 10 dogs allowed at this event, so spots will fill up fast!
Outreach Ambassadors
(new volunteer opportunity!)
Are you someone who is extroverted, knowledgeable about JFCS and passionate about spreading the word to the broader community? If so, we are looking for people like you to serve as JFCS ambassadors at outreach events around town.
If interested, contact Dana at
dshapiro@jfcsmpls.org
and let her know you want to learn more about this specific opportunity.
Garber Transportation Services Drivers
We are currently recruiting more drivers, as many of our current Garber Transportation volunteers are away for the winter. This is a flexible volunteer opportunity, and after the on-boarding process, you simply go online and sign up for whatever rides you can provide for the week.
To learn more, click
here
for the job description. If interested in applying, fill out the volunteer application
here
and Dana will follow up with you.
Jewish Youth Mentors
We are seeking volunteers who are interested in serving as a positive role model for Jewish youth. Potential mentor must be Jewish, and a fun, mature, well-adjusted teen or adult who takes an active interest in the welfare of children. Must be able to communicate well and establish a good rapport with youth. A non-judgmental attitude is imperative.
If you are interested, please fill out this application
here
. Contact Becky Lyle Sulkin, Jewish Youth Mentoring Program Manager at
bsulkin@jfcsmpls.org
or 952-542-4835 with questions.
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Volunteer Highlight
Meet one of our Jewish Youth Mentoring Program Mentors, Bridget. She joined the program as a mentor last year, after attending an information session at her synagogue. She knew she was looking for a volunteer opportunity that incorporated her passion for working with children, but never could have imagined how much she would enjoy the experience and the relationship she has developed with her mentee.
“The number one thing I get out of being a mentor is definitely my time with [my mentee],” she said. “[She] is amazing and I absolutely love being with her.” Click the photo below to watch the video!
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If you are interested in becoming a mentor for Jewish youth, please fill out an application
here
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Staff Q&A with
Mindy Teele,
Hag Sameach Outreach Coordinator
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Learn how hundreds of volunteers contributed their time and talents to help make the holiday season brighter for the
706 individuals from 342 families
in our community. That's 173
more people than last year!
How long have you worked with the Hag Sameach Program?
5 years
How many people volunteered with the Hag Sameach program in 2019?
We had 334 volunteer shifts that were filled for the winter holidays, along with at least 75 people who touched the Passover part of the program. Plus, I have Hag Sameach co-chairs who are my fearless leaders in helping make the program run so smoothly! In addition to having individuals sign up to volunteer, I also have a variety of groups who were involved in the program. Some examples of this include: Camp Olami LIT’s, Camp TEKO seventh graders, MN Hillel, the Minnesota Rabbinical Association, JFCS NextGen, PJ Library, Minneapolis Jewish Federation, and so many more!
What do Hag Sameach volunteers do to help?
The main volunteer opportunities for the winter program include: organizing/sorting donations/creating gift baskets from donated gifts, bagging, which consists of gathering gift items from our gift inventory for individuals and families,
gift wrapping, and delivering the gifts to individuals and families in the community.
To learn more about volunteering with Hag Sameach, contact Mindy Teele at
mteele@jfcsmpls.org
or 952-542-4870.
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Thanks to the many individuals and groups who volunteered with Hag Sameach in 2019!
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Recap of JFCS' 31st Annual
Laugh on Their Behalf
Benefit
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Thanks to the countless number of volunteers who helped behind the scenes to make the fundraiser on Dec. 7 possible. We couldn't do this without your support and the support of our generous donors. Together we raised over $540,000!
Click
here
to see more pictures from this great event.
We hope you will save the date for the 32nd Annual
Laugh on Their Behalf
Benefit on
Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020
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If You Do More, We Can Do More
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If you didn't get a chance to see JFCS CEO Judy Halper's
"If you do more, we can do more" video
, click
here
and watch until the end (you won't want to miss it).
We are so grateful for our donors and want to thank you for what you have done, and will continue to do!
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For more information about volunteering at JFCS, contact
Dana Shapiro, Community and Volunteer Engagement Coordinator & Intake Counselor
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Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis
5905 Golden Valley Rd | Golden Valley, MN 55422
952-546-0616 | 952-593-1778 fax | www.jfcsmpls.org
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