Spotlight on a Cause:
Provena Center for Healthy Aging
The Provena Covenant Center for Healthy Aging provides services and programs for older adults who are interested in staying active in body and mind. Such programs include a weekly coffee group, bus trips, health screenings, referrals to community resources for seniors, health and wellness education, exercise classes and nutritional information. The Center also provides volunteer caregiver services such as free transportation to medical appointments, help with household chores, and home visits/reassurance calls to homebound seniors. Volunteers also are needed to assist in the office. Center for Healthy Aging volunteers come from all walks of life and represent various congregations, groups, and organizations in our community. All interested volunteers must undergo training at the Center for Healthy Aging. The next volunteer training will be Tuesday, April 3 from 6-7:30 pm. For more information on Provena Center for Healthy Aging or to register for training, call 337-2022 or go to http://www.provena.org/covenant/body_covenant.cfm?id=218.
Volunteers Needed
Champaign
County Forest Preserve-Event Volunteers Needed
Boneyard Arts Festival at Homer Lake –Sunday, April 22, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 1-5 pm.
Come see art alive at the beautiful and historic Homer Lake Forest Preserve. Local artists will have works on display, and visitors can experiment creating art with items from nature. 4-8 volunteers are needed to run activity stations relating to art in nature, setup/cleanup, photograph the event, and more.
Bird Migration Festival–Saturday, April 28, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 1-4 pm.
Experience the sensations of spring and celebrate the migration season. There will be birds of prey, crafts, hikes, and more. 15-20 volunteers are needed to assist with various educational activity stations including: Incredible Eggs, Owl Pellet Dissection, Avian Acoustics, Build a Bird Nest, The Great Migration Challenge, and more. Volunteers are also needed to host the Interpretive Center, lead a short bird ID hike (from 3:15-4pm), greet visitors at the registration table, and photograph the event.
Take Me Fishing
- Saturday, May 26, Activity Center, Middle Fork River Forest Preserve, 1-4 pm
- Saturday, June 30, Walnut Hill Shelter, Homer Lake Forest Preserve, 9am-12pm
- Saturday, July 28, Boathouse Peninsula, Lake of the Woods Forest Preserve, 9am-12pm
15 volunteers are needed at each event to assist young visitors with fishing: handing out worms, removing hooks, measuring fish, etc. Some knowledge of or interest in fishing is preferred. 6-8 additional volunteers are needed at each event to assist with various activity and craft stations.
Contact Savannah Hampson at 896-2455 or shampson@ccfpd.org with questions on these opportunities or to sign-up to help.
Upcoming Events
Studio 2 C Fundraiser
Help support the arts by attending a fundraiser for Studio 2C/SODO Theater on March 30, 9 pm to midnight at SODO Theater, 114 S. Neil St., Champaign. There will be a 50/50 raffle, spoken word, and live music throughout the night. All attendees must pay a $5 cover. For more information, contact Natalie Ellis at 766-5964 or Lori Caterini lcaterini@gmail.com
Perfect Prom Dress Giveaway
The Perfect Prom Project is hosting its 7th annual free prom dress giveaway on March 31 from 10 am-2 pm at the University YMCA. All high school girls are encouraged to come and pick out their dream prom dress and accessories for FREE! All that is needed is a high school ID. Visit ucprom.com or e-mail theperfectpromproject@yahoo.com for more information.
CARE for a Taste?
A fundraiser for the Companion Animal Resource and Education Center will be on Sunday, April 1 from 2:30–4:30 pm. at Milo’s Restaurant in Urbana. Guests can sample gourmet appetizers and desserts, mingle with friends and bid on a selection of prizes in a silent auction. Tickets are $50 per person and may be purchased online at http://carecentercu.org/shop/care-for-a-taste.
Wrap the Nursery
At noon on April 2, help “Wrap the Nursery” and raise awareness about Child Abuse Prevention Month. Folks will join hands around Crisis Nursery as a sign of support for the “Island of Safety” and the children and families in our community. All participants are reminded to wear blue. For more information, contact Bridget at 337-2731 or bridget@crisisnursery.net.
Keep Our Kids Safe Event
Sexual abuse affects 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 6 boys in the U.S. before they reach age 18. Keep Our Kids Safe demonstrates and explains child abuse prevention programs available from C-U Rape Advocacy, Counseling, and Education Services (RACES). The event will be held on April 5 from 7-9 pm at Indi Go Artist Coop. Free admission to all, although donations are encouraged. More information is available by calling 344-6298 or emailing admin@cu-races.org.
Disclaimer: I gather this information based on local community calendars and from colleagues at local service organizations. Some of the wording is based directly on what I receive and research. Please feel free to email me if you have any comments, questions, or have anything you would like to see posted. Thank you. (MER)