April 2011 Volunteer Spotlight: Chelsea Wilder

I heard about Volunteer Broward from a friend who told me about the Great Visit Florida Beach Walk a few months back and I contacted Volunteer Broward to get involved in the project. It was love at first Project for me.

Ever since I was little I’ve felt like I was made to help those in need. I’ve always been interested in volunteering and the feeling I get by helping others is unbeatable. Personally, I have met a lot of very interesting and enthusiastic people with similar interests as me through volunteering. Professionally, I have decided that I am meant for a career in non-profits. It was because of my love of volunteering that I am earning a Master’s degree in Non-profit Management and I hope to stay involved with non-profit organizations and volunteering for many years to come. I have recently taken an AmeriCorps Vista position with a local non-profit that I volunteer with, maybe you’ve heard of it, Volunteer Broward!

My advice to new volunteers is just go for it! Don’t be afraid to dive right in and start volunteering with any opportunity that looks interesting to them. Volunteer Broward has such a large spectrum of opportunities that anyone should be able to find and project that fits just right for them.

Volunteer Broward is an amazing organization and, so far, my experience has been great. Volunteering does so much good for the community and getting to see so many people come together and help each other really shows that this world is a good place.

by Chelsea Wilder

Volunteer Broward Program Teaches Children the Benefits of Gardening

LAUDERHILL, FL (March 24, 2011) – Volunteer Broward’s Garden of Feedin’ program has been sprouting valuable lessons in nutrition education for young children throughout the county. The program, funded by the AD Henderson Foundation and first introduced by Volunteer Broward in 2008, has produced more than a dozen gardens at pre-schools and community centers from Pembroke Pines to Pompano Beach.

Garden of Feedin’ is an early child care gardening project that actively engages children, parents and childcare providers in the urban gardening concept to improve the quality of life for the community, grow healthy foods and produce a sustainable edible garden. This year’s program has engaged 450 children in Lauderhill, Oakland Park and Fort Lauderdale in four garden projects.

“This has been one of the most exciting things I have ever done as a teacher.” said Doris Ladson, who has been teaching for more than 30 years at Achievers Academy and Camp in Oakland Park. The pre-school is one of four in Broward participating in the 2011 program that infuses a 12 week nutrition education curriculum with hands-on gardening experiences.

“The program provides an important life lesson,” said Dale Hirsch, Executive Director of Volunteer Broward. “It gives young students the opportunity to see how a living plant can provide sustenance to a community through love, care and commitment.”

Volunteer Broward is currently looking for responsible volunteers who are interested in taking on leadership roles within the community garden program. Interested individuals should contact Sander Schrantz at 954-233-1291 or sander@volbrow.org.

About Volunteer Broward: Volunteer Broward provides meaningful, hands-on volunteer experiences for civic-minded businesses and individuals in order to positively affect change in Broward County. To learn more about Volunteer Broward’s Garden of Feedin’, upcoming service opportunities or to schedule a volunteer orientation, please call 954.233.1300 or visit us online at www.VolunteerBroward.org

Children at Achievers Academy and Camp in Oakland Park plant a mulberry bush.

Led by Volunteer Broward’s Cherona Levy, Sander Schrantz and Daria de Castro, children at St. Ambrose pre-school display the rewards of their garden.

Tyshawn Delvard learns how to grow vegetables from Volunteer Broward project manager, Sander Schrantz at Kinderworld in Lauderhill

Make the Call to Save Service!!

On Tuesday, March 15, we are mobilizing our extended network of friends, partners and service supporters to Make the Call to Save Service in America! Please join us by visiting www.saveservice.org to pledge to call both of your U.S. Senators and to encourage your friends and colleagues to do the same.

Just two weeks ago, Save Service District Day grabbed the attention of Members of Congress across the country. On March 15th, let your Senators know that we are not giving up or going away by overwhelming their offices with phone calls asking them to Save Service in America.

On February 19, in the early morning hours, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation that would shut down the Corporation for National and Community Service and eliminate AmeriCorps, Learn & Serve, Foster Grandparents, Senior Companions and the other service programs. Congress must now reach a budget compromise by March 18th. The question is: will the compromise include funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service?

You make the call.

Please visit www.saveservice.org to pledge to participate on March 15th and to join thousands of Americans across the country as we call on the Senate to save service.

March 2011 Project Leader Spotlight: Leila Billings

I was looking to get involved in volunteering opportunities in Broward County so I performed a Google search. Volunteer Broward was the first on the list. I also liked the variety of projects offered on the daily volunteer calendar. That is what really got me interested in getting involved with Volunteer Broward.

I am currently leading the Harvest Drive (Broward County Schools) Wine & Dine Gala/Charity Golf Tournament the weekend of April 2nd. They are trying to raise money for student scholarships. I also lead the monthly Markham Park event helping in the nursery. I have also led the Kid Duck Fest Derby event that helps raise money for Kids In Distress (an organization helping abused and neglected children). I hope to continue helping in the future but I am narrowing my focus to events that help children and the environment.

I love volunteering and especially being a project leader. I like helping those that also want to help others. I love giving back to my community and I also enjoy meeting new people. It is a great way to network and make new friends. I also enjoy seeing the faces of our younger volunteers light up as they get involved. They know they are making a difference. If I can help be a role model to them or even to my own 11 month old then I feel a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment.

I have always liked the quote: "be the change you want to see in the world" -Ghandi
As far as advice goes, I like making the volunteer experience as enjoyable as possible to my team, since they are giving up their personal time to help. So as a project leader one should try to make the experience as fun as possible.


By Leila Billings

March 2011 Volunteer Spotlight: Chelsea Callahan

I found Volunteer Broward through a volunteer matching site. At the time I was searching for volunteer organizations - any volunteer organizations - but I had no idea where to begin. The name recognition and the vast amount of projects available is what clinched it for me. I hope to find any project or activity that can offer up a new skill or experience. For example, I understand that Volunteer Broward offers training for disaster response, which sounds interesting and at some point I'd also be interested in helping out with a walk event. There are so many opportunities through Volunteer Broward that I hardly know where to focus my attention first!

It's amazing how even one good volunteer project can dramatically change your personal outlook on various things. Sometimes it's as simple as coming across a volunteer from some organization standing outside your local Publix, and donating a dollar or signing their petition or taking their flier or lending an ear because you're thinking, "I've been in their place before and I know it's not easy." Once you've volunteered, it makes it harder to ignore other people. If I could sum it up to its simplest, I'd say it's about connectivity. You feel connected with other people, you feel connected with your community. Volunteering has increased my confidence in dealing with others. I am not a natural social butterfly, but volunteering has helped me become more comfortable in social situations. Professionally, I've seen a clear association between my volunteer work and my attractiveness to employers. My work with Volunteer Broward played a strong role in my recent (and ultimately successful) job search. Because of all of this, I've decided to make volunteering a habit.

My advice to new volunteers is jump in, even if you don't quite know what it is you want to do! Pick something, anything. If you find it's not interesting to you, you can at least say you've tried it. Pick something else. The trick to a good experience is to start broad, choosing all types of activities to get a wide selection of experiences and a wide selection of people.

"Volunteering makes you feel good" is only a platitude to those who haven't experienced it. Once you've felt it yourself, you realize how profound it truly is.

By Chelsea Callahan

Initial Posting!

Hello and welcome to the official Volunteer Broward blog! We are a non-profit organization based in Lauderhill, Florida and focused on matching dedicated individuals to exciting volunteer opportunities around Broward County. This blog will serve as an outlet for us to inform the public about the happenings within not only our organization and its volunteers, but the non-profit organizations whom we serve as well as the non-profit sector as a whole. Check back frequently for updates on our numerous projects, news affecting our sector, volunteer spotlights, agency stories, and many other exciting articles! 

Remember: "Volunteer: The Life You Change May Be Your Own!"

Signed,

The Volunteer Broward Team