United Way Marks National Volunteer Week
On Thursday, April 15, Greater Ottawa County United Way presented 2010 Volunteer Star Awards to the Shape United Way committee in recognition of their successful efforts to increase volunteerism in Ottawa County by launching a “Shape Volunteers!” Campaign in conjunction with their 2009 United Way campaign. It resulted in 90 Shape associates donating 2,478 hours of volunteerism to their communities since last July. Pictured in the photo, left to right, are Shape associates Chuck Michele, Sandy Charon (committee chair), John Boese, Danielle Schmidt, Eric Farr, Sonya Warber, Joe Wisniewski, and Peg Buehler. Also honored but not pictured were Gwen Moeggenborg, Jamie Burton, Matt DeGram, Angela Baum, Ruth Ann Mays, and Frank Tobin.
Greater Ottawa County United Way will commemorate National Week of Volunteerism (April 18-24) in several ways, including recognizing citizens who have been nominated as Volunteer Stars and by launching a new volunteer event for high-school students.
According to Shannon Morton, Director of Volunteerism for the local United Way, 4,305 Ottawa County residents have volunteered in the past year through one of several United Way volunteer initiatives. These include United Way’s Volunteer Solutions, an online service that matches volunteers with opportunities; United Way events such as Day of Caring, Rake-a-Difference, and Beach Sweep; the many volunteers who assist United Way in its campaign, community investment process, and on various boards and committees; and, finally, high-school-age students who volunteer through United Way’s Student Service Learning program, which has been adopted by six high schools in Ottawa County and next year will be introduced in five more. From April 1, 2009 to March 31, 2010, these 4,305 volunteers logged 36,177 hours of service to the community, and all that volunteerism equated to $712,687 in services that would have been paid for or done without if volunteers had not stepped forward to meet these needs, Morton said.
“Without volunteers, our nonprofit agencies would have to cut back on the services they provide to our neighbors in need. Many beaches, parks, yards and roadways would go untended, and in thousands of ways—both seen and unseen—we would be a less vibrant community,” said Morton. She said that 129 volunteers will be recognized by United Way as “Volunteer Stars” during National Week of Volunteerism. These are volunteers who go “above and beyond” to serve their community, and were nominated by an individual or organization they serve for this special recognition. United Way will publish lists of Volunteer Stars in local newspapers throughout the week and each will receive a special certificate in the mail along with a letter explaining who nominated them.
In addition, United Way continues its tradition of “Red Ribbon Week” this week. Agencies, schools, churches and other organizations that rely on volunteers order thousands of red ribbons from United Way to distribute to their volunteers this week.
“When you see someone wearing a red ribbon, you’re looking at a local hero who volunteers in our community. Please thank that person,” Morton added.
National Week of Volunteerism 2010 also coincides with two special national events—on the same day. Thursday, April 22, 2010 is the 40th anniversary of Earth Day as well as Global Youth Service Day, and United Way will combine those two causes into one with an event that will bring high school students together from all over the county. Called “Ready for the World,” it is the first annual capstone event for Ottawa County teens enrolled in United Way’s Student Service Learning program. On Thursday, students will be bused after school to Pigeon Creek County Park, where they will enjoy snacks supplied by Family Fare and hear Grand Haven High School teacher and lifelong volunteer John Mauro give a keynote address entitled “Stop Waiting on the World to Change.” One lucky senior student will win a new laptop computer, donated by Sam’s Club, in a special drawing, and then all the students will work together to rid Pigeon Creek Park of garlic mustard weed, an invasive species that threatens native species, before being bused back to their respective schools.
“This event helps students from diverse communities and backgrounds to get acquainted through their common cause of community service, and the project they will complete together is one that most SSL students can relate to. They are a generation passionate about serving their communities and caring for the environment,” said Morton.
For more information on volunteering through any of United Way’s programs, click “Volunteer” on the home page.
