Spotlight on a Cause:
Champaign County Humane Society
The Champaign County chapter of the Humane Society began in 1903 with a primary focus on helping disadvantaged children and animals. Years later, a group of concerned citizens created Champaign County’s first animal shelter in Bondville, before moving into the Humane Society’s current shelter in 1988. The Humane Society is a unique nonprofit in the respect that is does not receive any sort of funding through the government or other social entities and relies solely on donations from local businesses and individuals. Through such connections in the community, the shelter has been able to find homes for an uncountable number of animals and is able to provide pet-owners with a plethora of resources. Volunteers are always needed at the Humane Society to help provide for the primary needs of the animals, provide foster homes for animals, aid in the adoption process and for special events and fundraisers. An upcoming Volunteer Orientation for the Humane Society is scheduled for Thursday, January 19 and Thursday, February 23 from 6-7 PM at the Champaign Public Library. For more information on how to volunteer or to see current volunteer opportunities, go to http://www.cuhumane.org/volunteers/index.html.
Volunteers Needed:
City of Urbana Zoning Board of Appeals
The City of Urbana is looking for volunteers to serve on the Zoning Board of Appeals. The Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) is a commission that has the power and duty to hear and decide minor variances and conditional use requests and to provide major variance recommendations to the Urbana City Council. Members must be citizens of the City of Urbana. Regular meetings are scheduled to be held on the third Wednesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Urbana City Council Chambers unless otherwise noticed. For further information, please contacts Robert Myers, Planning Manager, at (217) 384-2440 or for an application, please call the Mayor’s office at (217) 384-2456.
Krannert Center for the Performing Arts
What Lincoln Center is to New York and the Kennedy Center is to Washington, D.C., Krannert Center is to the Midwest–a magnificent showcase for the performing arts. Training and certification for ushering and leading tours begin at the start of each University semester. Volunteers interested in ushering, conducting tours of the Center, or helping with mailings and other projects should contact Crystal Womble at 244-0549 or by email at cwomble@illinois.edu.
Upcoming Events
MLK Jr. Celebration Events
A notable quote from Dr. King: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’”In honor of MLK Day and the National Day of Service, the University of Illinois has partnered with several other local organizations to provide an assortment of community-wide, free events for two weeks. Events include receptions, film screenings, speakers and workshops, and volunteer opportunities. For a full calendar of events, go to http://inclusiveillinois.illinois.edu/mlk/calendar.html.
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)