2011 News
12.22.11 - The Volunteer Center's Future Looks Bright!
Even a board of directors needs a break! A special thank you to our board of directors who is hard at work on our strategic plan. Thank you for shaping our future!
12.20.11 - New Citizen Corps Connection Newsletter
Check out the latest issue of the Citizen Corps Connection here!
12.16.11 - Holiday Handcrafters Set New Record
Throughout 2011, 27 dedicated volunteers have donated their time and talents by knitting and crocheting more than 1,700 handcrafted items for residents of Washington County – a new record in the project’s 10-year history! Because of these wonderful efforts, hundreds of people in our county will have warm bodies and warm hearts thanks to the mittens, hats, scarves, slippers, lap-robes, afghans, and dolls donated by these dedicated handcrafters.
The items, collected by the Volunteer Center of Washington County as part
of the Handcrafters Project, are distributed through many of our member agencies including Big Brothers Big Sisters, Casa Guadalupe Education Center, Chix 4 a Cause, the Council on AODA, Full Shelf Food Pantry, Habitat for Humanity, Samaritan Health Center, Senior Citizens Activities, the Threshold and Youth and Family Project.
The recipients of these warm garments are grateful for the extra love and care the handcrafters put into these gifts. The handcrafters’ compassion and talent warms more than just hearts.
The staff and board of the Volunteer Center of Washington County are amazed that so many people have contributed to the Handcrafters Project. Over the past decade, these volunteers have created 11,350 items! We are so grateful to everyone who has participated in this program since its inception. In addition to our handcrafters, we also want to thank the many people who have donated yarn to supply our volunteers with the materials they need!
11.14.11 - Craft 4 a Cause Family Volunteer Day
On Friday, November 11 and Monday, November 14, the Volunteer Center of Washington County hosted it's third "Craft 4 a Cause" at the Family Center of Washington County. The family volunteer events provided an opportunity for families to get together and give together. Families created greeting cards, bookmarks, nature journals, coasters, wrapping paper, and music shakers. All projects created at this event will be donated to clients of local nonprofit agencies. View pictures on our photo page!
9.19.11 - West Bend Leadership Panel on Volunteerism
Volunteer Center Executive Director Betsy Wilcox participated in the Leadership West Bend Panel on Volunteerism on September 16 at the West Bend Chamber of Commerce. In addition to Betsy, the panel included. Mary Gamerdinger, executive director of Big Brothers Big Sisters, Craig Hoeppner, executive director of Wests Bend Parks, Recreation and Forrestry, Patricia Fabian, Adult Services Director of the Threshold, and Ric Leitheiser of the Bank of Montreal. Together, they educated new West Bend Leaders on the importance of volunteerism, how their participation is needed in board leadership, and the impact the economy is having on nonprofits and on volunteering.
9.15.11 -Volunteer Center Honored by the West Bend Community Foundation
On September 14 the staff and board of the Volunteer Center attended the West Bend Community Foundation's Donor Appreciation event at the Museum of Wisconsin Art. The Volunteer Center was one of three agencies - including the Albrecht Free Clinic and the Boys and Girls Club of Washington County - up for the Founders' Service award. Congratulations to the award recipient, the Albrecht Free Clinic!
We would like to give a special thank you to the West Bend Community Foundation for putting on a wonderful event, and to all of the donors who make the Foundation possible!
9.9.11 -Volunteer Center Welcomes New AmeriCorps Member
We are excited to announce that our new AmeriCorps member, Kelly Winum, joins our staff today! Kelly will be with us through August 2012 and primarily work with our middle school and family volunteering programs. In addition, she will be working with the Prevention Network of Washington County. Please help us welcome Kelly!
9.7.11 -National Preparedness Month Outreach Underway!
Headed to the Schauer Arts Center this weekend? Check out our brand new Citizen Corps display, promoting National Preparedness Month!
9.1.11 -
September is National Preparedness Month
September is National Preparedness Month. This is the moment to protect you and your family from the unexpected.
Emergencies can happen anytime and anywhere. From severe weather like tornados and winter storms, to train derailments and other disasters, Wisconsin sees it all. This September, please prepare in the event your family must go for a few days without electricity, water service, access to a supermarket or pharmacy, or other local services. For more information, visit Ready Wisconsin or Ready.gov.
9.1.11 -
9/11 Day of Service Food Drive
As part of the national 9/11 Day of Service and Remembrance, the Volunteer Center encourages residents of Washington County to donate non-perishable food items in honor of the 10th anniversary of the Sept. 11 attacks in New York City, Washington D.C. and Pennsylvania. We will be accepting donations throughout the month of September. Please drop off items between9 a.m.- 3 p.m., Monday - Friday until September 30.
This is a statewide initiative organized by Volunteer Wisconsin.
8.22.11 -
Craft 4 a Cause
On Monday, August 22, the Volunteer Center of Washington County hosted their second "Craft 4 a Cause" at the Family Center of Washington County. Families made picture frames, decorated placemats and mugs, made bracelets, potted plants and made cat and dog toys. All projects created at this event will be donated to clients of local nonprofit agencies. Thank you to the Family Center for letting us use their facitility, and to all those who participated!
8.20.11 -
CERT Olympics
The Second Annual Southeast Wisconsin CERT Olympics took place Saturday, August 20th at the MATC South Campus in Oak Creek. This regional exercise was the result of many months of planning and coordination by COAD of Southeast Wisconsin, Lake County Illinois MRC and Citizen Corps of Washington County. A number of trained CERT volunteers also helped plan and staff the event.
This years CERT Olympics not only challenged the skills of the competing teams but the command staff and volunteers as well. Despite morning rains a great time was had by all! View Photos
8.5.11 -
Glacier Hills Movie Night
Thank you to the wonderful group of volunteers who helped us sell concessions at the Glacier Hills Movie Night. The Volunteer Center had the opportunity to participate in both movie night's this summer as a way to raise money for our Family Volunteering program. A special thank you to Glacier Hills Credit Union for supporing this programming!
7.19.11 -
Farewell Lynsey!
For the past 10 months our AmeriCorps member Lynsey Watry has been an integral part of the Volunteer Center team. In the short time she was with us, she developed relationships with nearly all of our county middle schools! She helped organize volunteer projects for groups of students throughout the school year and even planned a service field trip for more than 100 students!
In addition to her middle school work, Lynsey started a Family Volunteering program from scratch! She developed a list of 20 "Kitchen Table Projects" families with young children can complete at home. She partnered with the Family Center of Washington County and created a library of service-related books that families can check out. She created volunteering backpacks for the Family Center's backpack program. Now families can check out a pack full of volunteering-related books, games and activities. And it is because of this partnership that we now offer quarterly "Craft 4 a Cause" family volunteering events!
This is just a small list of all of Lynsey's accomplishments. She has done so much for our organization!
In a few weeks, Lynsey starts a new adventure — medical school! We wish her the very best in her new endeavor and we know that her skills and ambition will serve her well. Lynsey has done amazing things for the Volunteer Center and she will truly be missed!
7.15.11 -
West Bend Library Summer Reading Program
We had the opportunity to host a Summer Reading Program event at the West Bend Libary on July 14th. Our AmeriCorps member Lynsey read storybooks to the kids about the importance of helping others. The kids then did a craft project and had the opportunity to check out service-related books from the library. Thanks to those who joined us and thanks to Lynsey for making it happen!
7.5.11 -
Glacier Hills Movie Night & 4th of July Parade
We've been out and about lately! Did you see us at the Glacier Hills Movie Night or the 4th of July Parade? If not, check it out now!
6.13.11 - New Citizen Corps Connection Newsletter
Check out the latest issue of the Citizen Corps Connection here!
5.4.11 -
Slinger Middle School National Junior Honor Society Service Day
Today 107 National Junior Honor Society students from Slinger Middle School planted trees, groomed trails, composted and weeded at Welcome HOME, Blue Lotus Farm & Retreat Center and Wellspring, Inc. Thank you to the students for all the great work they are doing in the community. View photos.
4.8.11 -
Craft 4 a Cause Family Volunteer Day
On Friday, April 8 and Monday, April 11, the Volunteer Center of Washington County hosted "Craft 4 a Cause" at the Family Center of Washington County. The family volunteer events provided an opportunity for families to get together and give together. Families created greeting cards, personalized coloring books, made blankets, built pinecone bird feeders and decorated placemats. All projects created at this event will be donated to clients of local nonprofit agencies. View pictures on our photo page!
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