Spotlight on a Cause:
The United Way of Champaign County
Since 1923, The United Way of Champaign County has addressed the challenges facing children, families, the disabled, and senior citizens in our community. United Way has three primary functions—finding volunteers, donations, and advocacy for local non-profit originations and foundations, and they work closely with local businesses and community members to attain these goals. Such past campaigns have included the MTD Stuff the Bus, a school supplies drive for WCIA, and eScrip cards at Schnucks. Other businesses in the community give back by doing internal fundraisers for the United Way and the organizations that they support.
The United Way also supports a group of Emerging Community Leaders, which is a network of young professionals who want to be more involved in and aware of their community’s needs. To learn more about what the United Way does, what their current focus is, and for some great statistics on the current living conditions of individuals in Champaign County, you can view their 2011 community report at: http://uwayhelps.org/media/2011_community_report_with_sources.pdf. More information is available at http://www.uwayhelps.org.
Volunteers Needed:
Don Moyer Boys & Girls Club
A
receptionist is needed to help to cover shifts at the reception desk at the Boys & Girls Club on weekdays from 8:30 AM-6:30 PM. Volunteers times and dates are flexible according to their schedules. Receptionists will be responsible for answering phone calls, greeting guests, and possibly doing some light office work. All volunteers must fill out an application and must be background checked. For more information, please contact Tracy Days at 217-355-5437.
City of Urbana
The City of Urbana is currently looking for a volunteer to act as a hearing officer for parking ticket and nuisance claims. Volunteers will only be needed twice a month for about an hour or two and only at times when there are claims being disputed. For more information on how to get involved, please contact Dee Dee at 217-384-2464.
Upcoming Events:
Wesley Pantry Night
Volunteers will be needed to assist in Pantry Night on Thursday, November 17. Help folks through the line, pack groceries, load groceries into cars, direct traffic, and answer questions. There are many other ways to help during Pantry Night and with Pantry Night preparation. For more information and how to sign up to volunteer, email info@wesleypantry.org.
Chambana Cranksgiving
The 4th annual Chambana Cranksgiving, which is a scavenger hunt and food drive for the Eastern Illinois Foodbank, will be Sunday, November 13 at the IMC Bike Project in Urbana. Registration begins at noon and the event starts at 1. Participants are asked to bring at least $5, their bike, bag, rack, lock, helmets, and at least 5 canned goods for the Foodbank. For more information, please visit http://chambanacranksgiving.blogspot.com/
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)