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September 2016 - Twin Cities |
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Friendship and Flowers Visiting to Seniors
Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly
Date/Time: Every third Saturday of the month
Location: Homes of shut-in seniors in Minneapolis or St Paul
Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly is a volunteer-based organization committed to alleviating isolation and loneliness among the elderly while promoting their independence and well-being. Little Brothers - Friends of the Elderly provides home visits, social engagement, intergenerational activities and holiday meals, in addition to advocacy, referrals and support. Friendship and Flowers visitors provide companionship, friendship, and help to relieve loneliness felt by isolated and shut-in seniors. Volunteers deliver flowers and treats to shut-in elders on the third Saturday of each month, while sharing friendly conversation. It's a wonderful opportunity for families who want to volunteer together
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Ages: Families with children are welcome to volunteer.
Time Commitment: Two hours per month, every third Saturday of the month. One and one-half hour orientation and basic training required.
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Hold a Back-to-School Drive for The Family Partnership
The Family Partnership
Location: The Family Partnership, 4123 East Lake Street, Minneapolis
The Family Partnership's mission is building strong families, vital communities, and better futures for children through counseling, education and advocacy. Since 1878, The Family Partnership has been recognized as an innovative and highly impactful nonprofit in the Twin Cities area. Last year, more than 30,000 children and families benefitted from the specialized services and programs offered in order to realize their full potential - regardless of income or origin. What better way to close out the summer than to donate school supplies and help the littlest of students get back to school! Items needed include:
- Crayons (8ct)
- Markers (8ct)
- Colored pencils (8ct)
- Notebooks (wide and college ruled)
- Glue sticks
- Pocket folders (solid colors)
- #2 pencils
- Pens (red, black, blue)
- Highlighters
- Childproof scissors
- Erasers
Ages: Everyone can participate
Time Commitment: Varies
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Make Snack Bags for The Family Partnership
The Family Partnership
Date/Time: Flexible, contact Christy at 612.341.1600 or [email protected] to coordinate.
Location: The Family Partnership, 4123 East Lake Street, Minneapolis
Volunteers are needed to assemble healthy snack bags for the hundreds of children, teens, and adults served each day at The Family Partnership's five locations and four drop-in childcare sites.
How much should go in each snack bag? This is completely up to you. Most bags contain two snacks and something to drink.
How many snack bags should I make? This is completely up to you and how much you want to give. We often say, "Fifteen is great ... 100 is awesome!"
What items should you choose from for healthy snack bags?
Due to possible allergies, please refrain from including any items that contain peanuts.
For health purposes, all items should be prepackaged from the manufacturer.
We are unable to accept food items that have been divided and placed into food storage bags. For example: dividing a large bag of pretzels into several smaller bags by hand.
Content Suggestions:
- Juice Boxes
- Bottled water
- Raisins
- Dried Fruit
- Granola Bars (no nuts)
- Crackers
- Pretzels
- Applesauce
- Fruit Cups in Water
- Fruit snacks (sugar free if possible)
- Trail Mix (no nuts)
- Plastic Utensils (Spoon/Fork)
- Napkin
Each bag should cost less than $5.
Ages: Everyone can participate
Time Commitment: Varies
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Sort and Repack Food
Second Harvest Heartland
Date/Time: A variety of dates and times are available. Please
check calendar for availability. Please arrive 10 minutes prior to your volunteer shift. This will give volunteers plenty of time to check in, hang up coats, and lockup items such as purses in our individual lockers for your convenience.
Location: 6325 Sandburg Rd. Suite 1700, Golden Valley
September is Hunger Action Month. Every hour you volunteer for Second Harvest Heartland during September will be matched with a $5 donation from Bremer Bank, up to a total of $50,000 for 10,000 hours! Volunteers repackage bulk foods such as pasta or cereal into consumer size packages, sort and salvage damaged products or food items, sort food from food drives and donations, or label cans. Repackaged items go to nearly 1,000 partner agencies, including food shelves and feeding programs that serve our hungry neighbors. This position requires that you are able to stand for several hours. If you or somebody in your party needs to sit for the shift, there are stools without backs available. Click
here for more information about youth volunteering. Dress in comfortable clothing, such as a t-shirt or sweatshirt and jeans or shorts. Volunteers must wear closed toe shoes - no sandals! Any volunteer who arrives without closed toe shoes will be asked to wear shoes that we will provide.
Ages: This opportunity is available to youth ages eight and older. Adults who bring infants and children under eight years old will not be able to volunteer.
Time Commitment: Two and a half hours
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Tend the Demonstration Prairie at Ole Olson Park
Friends of the Mississippi River (FMR)
Date/Time: Wednesday, September 14, 6 - 8pm
Location: Ole Olson Park, North Minneapolis Riverfront
Join FMR at this riverfront park to tend an important native demonstration prairie garden along the bike trail. These showy flowers and grasses will not only beautify the park but will provide much-needed bee, butterfly and bird habitat. And, with deep root systems that act like filters, they'll help reduce the amount of pollution flowing into the Mississippi River. This event will help further the long-term transformation and commitment at this site and to the river. Although a small urban site, Ole Olson is home to a surprising diversity of landscapes, including riverfront shoreline, woodland terrace and grassland slopes. While the city parks department has been working to restore and stabilize the shoreline and slopes, much of the park is home to Russian thistle and other invasive plants that provide neither wildlife habitat nor a pleasant view. Working with the city and relying on local volunteer power, we look forward to transforming the park into an oasis of habitat and respite - returning willows to the shoreline, wildflowers to the slopes and majestic oaks to the terraces.
Ages: Families with children ages six and up are welcome to volunteer.
Time Commitment: Two hours
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2016 Twin Cities Walk to End Alzheimer's
Alzheimer's Association Minnesota North Dakota Chapter
Date/Time: Saturday, September 17, 7am-noon
Location: Target Field, Minneapolis
The walk takes place in a one to three mile path on the streets around Target Field. There are various volunteer positions that are a fit for both adults and children.
Ages: Children ten and older are welcome to volunteer with an adult. If you have a child younger than ten and would like to volunteer, please contact [email protected].
Time Commitment: Most volunteer positions will last between four and five hours
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Twin Cities Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes
American Diabetes Association - MN Area
Date/Time: Friday, September 23, noon - 5pm, or various shift times on Saturday, September 24 between 7:30am and 1pm
Location: General Mills Headquarters, 1 General Mills Blvd, Golden Valley
Want to help push back against diabetes as a family? Join us at the 2016 Twin Cities Step Out: Walk to Stop Diabetes in Golden Valley on September 24. This community event brings participants together for a non-competitive walk/run (choose the 1 mile or 5K route) as a team or individual to help raise awareness and funds for diabetes research, programs, advocacy, and information. You and your family can either participate as a team, individual walker, or set-up/day-of-event volunteer(s).
Ages:
- Walk participants: Everyone can participate; adults must accompany children.
- Volunteers: Minimum age of 16 for unaccompanied volunteers. Some positions can be family friendly, such as cheering on the route, set up/take down and the Youth Zone.
Time Commitment: Two to five hours, depending on shift
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The Washburn Games
Washburn Center for Children
Date/Time: Sunday, September 25, 1:30 - 4:30pm
Location: Bryn Mawr Meadows, 601 Morgan Ave. S, Minneapolis
Kids + three hours of recess + giving back to the community = the fun-filled Washburn Games! Come play rugby, soccer, lacrosse, cricket, karate, football, yoga and more at the Washburn Games, a noncompetitive sports sampler for children ages 4 - 12. Kids can discover their favorite sport (before parents sign them up for a season they don't like) and give back to the community. All participants receive a t-shirt, medal, goodie bag and the joy of helping others. Plus, there's a chance to win amazing prizes, including a $1,000 educational scholarship! All proceeds benefit Washburn Center for Children, a Twin Cities nonprofit helping kids struggling with depression, anxiety and other emotional challenges.
Ages: Children ages 4-12 may participate in the event.
Time Commitment: Four hours
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Creekside Planting
Great River Greening
Date/Time: Saturday, October 1, 8:30am - 12:30pm
Location: 18000 Johnson Memorial Drive, Jordan
A private landowner along Sand Creek has opened his property to ongoing restoration efforts to improve habitat along the creek. Volunteers at this family-friendly event will plant native vegetation on the bank of the creek to restore the riparian zone, improve water quality, and strengthen habitat for local wildlife.
Ages: Families are welcome to volunteer.
Time Commitment: Four hours
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Rake a Difference Day
Community Thread
Date/Time: Saturday, October 29, 9am - noon. Groups are encouraged to rake yards between 9am - noon, but group leaders are welcome to work with homeowners to schedule another raking time prior to or following the event. The inclement weather date for the event is Saturday, November 5.
Location: Seniors' yards around Washington County
Make a difference in your community by helping seniors remain independently in their homes. Volunteer with Community Thread for Rake a Difference Day on Saturday, October 29 (around Make a Difference Day nationwide!) to rake the yard of a fellow community member. This is a great family-friendly opportunity to connect with local seniors and enjoy a morning outdoors. Locations are available throughout Washington County. Volunteers should bring their own rakes and gloves; homeowners will provide leaf bags.
Ages: Open to all ages, volunteers 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (one adult per every five children age 12 and under).
Time Commitment: Three hours or until yards are finished.
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Fall Yard Cleanup
DARTS
Date/Time: Pick your own date and time between October 24 through November 7
Location: Seniors' homes in West St. Paul/South St. Paul, Inver Grove Heights, Mendota Heights, Eagan, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Farmington or Rosemount
Families can play a crucial role in helping older homeowners in Dakota County area by raking and bagging up leaves this fall. This is a great way for families of all ages to spend time together and connect with a senior. Please bring rakes and gloves.
Ages: Families with children ages five and older are welcome to participate.
Time Commitment: Two to three hours per yard.
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Bag Decorating
Open Arms of Minnesota
Date/Time: 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month, 10am-12pm
Location: 2500 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis
Open Arms delivers meal packages to individuals with life-threatening illness and their families in the Twin Cities. Each week, our volunteers cook and deliver meals to over 1,000 clients! Each client's meal delivery uses a brown grocery bag. With your help, we can help make our delivery process fun for everyone; from our delivery drivers to our clients, everybody has a brighter day because of your creativity. It's simple acts of kindness like this that remind clients just how many people in their community care about them! Stop in anytime between 10am and noon to lend a creative hand and nibble on some treats while you decorate. We provide all necessary supplies. This is a great opportunity to get kids involved in serving their community at a young age. Make a morning of it and bring the whole family!
Ages: Families with children of all ages are welcome to volunteer.
Time Commitment: Stop in anytime between 10am and noon and stay as long as you'd like.
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Meal Prep and Packaging
Open Arms of Minnesota
Date/Time: Opportunities 7 days a week. Choose from a variety of two-hour long shifts available on weekdays, evenings, and weekends.
Location: 2500 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis
With the support of people like you, Open Arms brings comfort, nutrition, and support to our fellow community members who are living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life threatening illnesses. We prepare and deliver nutritious, fresh food from our kitchen to approximately 1,000 clients every week across the Twin Cities free of charge. Volunteer to prepare and package client meals in the state-of-the-art Open Arms kitchen and help Open Arms bring nourishment to those who need it most. Volunteering in the kitchen is a great chance for families with young children to volunteer together. Some volunteer activities, such as equipment use, will be available to children based on age. Most commonly, youth help tray-up cookie dough, package meals, and label food items.
Ages: Youth 8 -15 years old accompanied by an adult are welcome to volunteer. Click
here for information on age requirements and adult to youth ratios.
Time Commitment: Two hours per shift.
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Deliver Meals as a Family
Open Arms of Minnesota
Date/Time: Opportunities are available six days a week, Monday through Friday from 11am - 1pm and Saturdays from 10am - noon
Location: 2500 Bloomington Ave S, Minneapolis
With the support of people like you, Open Arms brings comfort, nutrition, and support to our fellow community members who are living with HIV/AIDS, cancer and other life threatening illnesses. We prepare and deliver nutritious, fresh food from our kitchen to approximately 1,000 clients every week across the Twin Cities free of charge. Meal delivery is a unique experience to introduce kids to direct volunteer service by meeting the clients Open Arms serves. Volunteer to deliver meals to our clients living within the 494/694 corridor and help Open Arms bring nourishment to those who need it most. Each route includes four to six stops. We provide you with a delivery route sheet with pertinent client details, a route map and turn-by-turn directions. Volunteers do provide their own vehicles for delivery and routes take typically two hours to complete.
Ages: Children of all ages are welcome to accompany an adult along on delivery.
Time Commitment: Shifts are typically two hours long. No weekly time commitment required. Volunteer as you are able or on a regular basis.
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Doing Good Together
Date/Time: Anytime
Location: Set up in your own home
Creating a Magic Mail Center in your home can make it easy to keep kindness part of your family's fall routine! As your fall family schedule gets busy, keep this
simple worksheet on hand. When you have unexpected free time, send a letter and make a difference. Visit the
Doing Good Together project page to for more ideas and reflection questions.
Ages: Everyone can participate
Time Commitment: Varies
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As we start Back-To-School Season, let's remind our kids about the importance of kindness. We're making it easy to deliver this message with our new Doing Good Together™ Infographic that offers insight and ideas for making kindness a priority!
Presented in a problem/solution format, with relevant stats, fun graphics, and easy-to-find links, we encourage you to post, pin, tweet, and share this graphic with your circle of friends, family, and educators. You can find this graphic on our
website, along with other compelling articles on why kindness matters and why DGT matters too. Thanks for sharing DGT™ with others!
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| This list was compiled by Doing Good Together™ (www.doinggoodtogether.org)
When calling to volunteer for any of the opportunities listed above, please let the coordinator know you found it through this listing. You are encouraged to ask any questions you may have of the sponsoring organization before committing to a project.
Disclaimer: This list is provided as a service to families. Inclusion of organizations in this listing does not imply affiliation, endorsement or quality assurance on the part of Doing Good Together.™ Doing Good Together™ bears no responsibility whatsoever for the activities and actions of the listed organizations.
© 2016 Doing Good Together™
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