This year's City/County Arbor Day Tree Planting will be held on January 24,2009 at the City's newest park, Pecan Pond Park. The park is located at the corner of Trimble Road and Pecan Road. The tree planting begins at 9 am and will continue until all the trees are planted. About 100 trees will be planted, including long leaf pine and various canopy and flowering hardwoods. Some trees are large, but many are small, just right for young tree planters. Come early to join the fun because sometimes the trees go fast.

For More Information Contact:
Stan Rosenthal 606-5222
 

A popular, non-selfish New Year’s resolution, volunteerism can take many forms. Whether you choose to spend time helping out at our library, mentoring a child, or building a house, there are many nonprofit volunteer organizations that could really use your help.

Volunteer opportunities abound in our great community and thousands quietly do so throughout the year. We know first-hand the selfless nature of people who give with no expectation of being paid for their time. Volunteers do work for free, but volunteers will tell you that they are well paid. They contend that the reward for their work is not money, but is, instead, the satisfaction of helping others, active involvement in our community and the friendships that they form through volunteer work.

VolunteerLEON makes it easy by connecting volunteers with projects to fit practically any schedule. Join us and help make 2009 about the value of one and the power of many. The life you change may very well be your own.

 

Registration is now open for Florida Volunteer Administration Certificate, a six week course for a Certificate in Volunteer Administration. The Volunteer Administration Certificate Program course fee of $150 covers all expenses. According to research, the primary reason people stop volunteering is because of poor volunteer management. Take your volunteer program to the next level:

• Learn the next steps to successful volunteer program development

• Develop your volunteer recruitment and supervision skills

• Plan ways to improve your organization’s volunteer program
   

Classes begin on Thursday, March 5, 2009 and run consecutively each Thursday morning from 8:30 a.m. to noon at Tallahassee Community College. To learn more and/or to register:     CLICK HERE
 

Be the one that brings HOPE to those that don't know what else to do…

2-1-1 is a 24 hour toll free hotline that offers crisis counseling, information and referrals.  Crisis counseling training is available for FREE!

For more information contact:
Coordinator of Volunteers
617-6309
volunteercoord@211bigbend.org

Orientation and Interviews

1/13, Tuesday, 6pm, Leon County Public Library, Park Ave, Program Room A
1/15, Thursday, 7pm, FAMU, Tucker Hall, Room #209
1/20, Tuesday, 7pm, FSU
1/21, Wednesday, 1pm, TCC Student Union, 2nd Floor, Student Success Center
 

Receive free training to become an IRS-certified tax preparer - then volunteer a few hours per month to prepare taxes for those unable to afford it.

This volunteer opportunity features:

• Flexible Hours

• Special training for individuals with no previous tax experience

Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA), part of United Way of the Big Bend’s BEST Project, offers free tax preparation at sites throughout the Big Bend from January to April each year.
This fast and free service helps residents avoid predatory income-tax preparers and costly, refund-anticipation loans.  VITA volunteers work to ensure that eligible families take  advantage of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC),  which can increase a family’s annual income up to 15 percent.

For more information or to sign up, contact:
Stephanie Brandt
850.488.8342
stephanie@uwbb.org

CLICK HERE FOR VITA VOLUNTEER TRAINING REGISTRATION APPLICATION
 

The American Cancer Society needs volunteers to serve on the Franklin County Relay For Life 2009 committee.  Relay For Life is a true community event where people of all ages and from all walks of life come together for a common cause to fight cancer through research, education, and advocacy.  For more information please contact Cyndi Arani at (850)785-9205 ext. 115.  FOR MORE INFORMATION AND/OR TO SIGN-UP - CLICK HERE
 

ECAH Animals, Inc. (soon to have a name change to Capitol ARK - Adoptions Rescue Kennels), a local animal rescue group, is looking for caring and reliable volunteers to help us with animal care, fundraising, and adoption booths.

Volunteers for animal care - we need volunteers for morning or evening shifts at our sanctuary, which is located about twenty minutes from downtown Tallahassee.  Volunteers can choose to work with our cats in our cathouse or our dogs (or both).  A shift takes a minimum of one hour and includes feeding, providing fresh water, cleaning (either cat boxes or kennels), giving medicine if necessary, and playing and socializing with the animals.  Morning shifts start no later than 9:00 a.m. and evening shifts must be completed before dark.  The animals thoroughly enjoy the attention and care!

Volunteers for adoption booths - they are on the 2nd and 4th Saturdays of the month at Petco (near Governor's Square Mall) from 12 to 5.  Volunteers are needed to help walk the dogs and talk to potential adopters.

We also need volunteers to help with fundraising, including finding grant opportunities.  We currently have monthly raffles and need volunteers to solicit future prizes.

Please check out our website at:  www.ecahanimals.org.  For more information about volunteering, please contact Susan at (850) 294-4204.
 

Guardians ad Litem are citizens who volunteer to represent children before the court, social service agencies and the community. Volunteers are trained and supervised by program staff, including attorneys. On average, Guardians ad Litem devote 4-6 hours a month & create relationships that can make a huge impact on children’s lives.

To become a Guardian, you must be at least 19 years of age and successfully complete the 30 hour pre-service training program. No one with a felony arrest or prior history of child abuse and neglect will be considered.  CLICK HERE to download an application.  For training information CLICK HERE.

Contact:  Leigh Merritt, Assistant Circuit Director
               Leigh.Merritt@gal.fl.gov or 606-1200
 

Kids Incorporated of the Big Bend is seeking Volunteers and/or Interns to help plan and organize our annual branding event “Kidsfest” which will be held in May of 2009. Tasks include developing marketing strategies, recruitment of community partners, developing brochures, creating concepts, developing artwork for signage, writing press releases, booking exhibitors and entertainers etc...

This is a great opportunity for anyone who may be interested in gaining experience working with a non-profit agency and desire to work in areas of event coordinating, marketing, communications, media, entertainment, journalism, and publications etc...  For more information email Beatrice Samson or call 850-414-9800 ext.112