Volunteer News from the Desk of Dana Shapiro |
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Quarterly Newsletter: July 2022
Hope you are having a good summer. We have some exciting events coming up, as well as volunteer opportunities. Read on to learn more about the many ways you can give of your time and talents in the coming months.
Speaking of help, our next door neighbors, PRISM can use some extra support re-stocking their shelves, as needs and the cost to get items continue to rise. Check out their Amazon wish list for a list of their current needs and consider getting involved.
Thank you for your continued support of JFCS and our volunteer services! I'm always an email or phone call away, so don't hesitate to reach out if you want to connect.
In this issue you will find:
- Volunteers needed for upcoming events
- More ways to help
- Volunteer Spotlights: Milo Beyene and Mickey Greenberg
- Recap of Volunteer Appreciation Event and Annual Meeting
- Save the date – Hag Sameach 30th anniversary celebration
- Pictures of recent volunteer opportunities
Warmly,
Dana Shapiro, Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager
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Volunteers needed for upcoming events |
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JFCS engages volunteers of all ages to help in many different capacities! Whether you have an hour or two to spare or are looking for a long-term opportunity, come volunteer us with. |
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"Celebrate Havdalah Outside in Nature"
With JFCS Caring Connections members
Saturday, July 23
Wood Lake Nature Center, Richfield
Volunteer duties include: Event set-up, greeting Caring Connections members, participating in the program, helping ensure participants are picked up safely, and event clean up.
Caring Connections is a JFCS program that provides valuable opportunities for people of all abilities to participate fully in Jewish life. It leads the Twin Cities Jewish community in becoming a more inclusive and welcoming space where all people with disabilities have the opportunity to participate in Jewish educational, spiritual, social and recreational activities.
Contact Stacey Spencer, Inclusion Program Manager at [email protected] for more information about Caring Connections.
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PJ Library's "Book Mitzvah"
Sunday, July 31
Brookview Park Pavilion, Golden Valley
Volunteer duties include: Event set-up, helping to facilitate carnival games/activities, the book swap table, distributing ice cream, and event clean up.
In Judaism, 13 years represents a milestone, and like a Bar or Bat Mitzvah, our PJ Library program has grown into its unique leadership role in the community over the past 13 years. In honor of this milestone, PJ Library will hold a “Book Mitzvah” event as a fun way to celebrate this achievement with our community. We’ll have a bounce house, games, ice cream, a book swap, and more. This is a multi-generational event; grandparents and special friends are encouraged to attend.
Contact Carrie Fink, PJ Library Manager at [email protected] for more information about PJ Library.
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22nd Annual Mental Health Education Conference
Sunday, Oct. 23
Temple Israel, Minneapolis
We are seeking volunteers who can help with various duties on the day of the conference. Many thanks in advance for your support in this endeavor to bring education and support, and reduce the stigma around mental health.
Contact Tabitha Benci DeRango, Community Conference Coordinator at [email protected] for more information the conference.
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Seeking blood donors to help save lives
Did you know that 4.5 million Americans will need a blood transfusion each year? Did you know that one pint of blood can save up to three lives? Did you know that only 37 percent of the U.S. population is eligible to donate blood and less than 10 percent do it annually?
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Volunteers needed – more ways to help
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Connect with an older adult and bring joy to their life as an Outreach Visitor
We have some Senior Service clients who are waiting to be matched with an Outreach Visitor. Through one-on-one visits, these volunteers offer companionship and support through weekly or bi-weekly visits at the client's home and/or destinations in the community, as determined by the client and volunteer. Choose activities you both enjoy such as visiting, reading, playing games in their home, having coffee, lunch or seeing a movie.
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Provide Russian translation support to the Senior Services Department
We are in need of Russian-speaking volunteers to support the Senior Services department by providing on-call translations via phone and for written materials, and providing technology support for Russian-speaking clients. These things help us better support our clients and you can really make a difference in someone's day.
>Please help us spread the word of these needs to your family, friends, and others in your network.
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Provide essential rides for clients as a Garber driver
We are recruiting more Garber Transportation volunteer drivers. Sign up for this flexible opportunity to provide rides that work for your schedule and use your own car to pick up clients who need rides to necessary appointments and errands. During COVID-19, clients sit in the backseat on the opposite side of the driver. We also limit the cars to one client, and both the client and volunteer are required to wear a face mask.
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Create cards to brighten someone's day
We are continuing to invite volunteers to participate in this family-friendly and remote opportunity to create handmade or store-bought cards to let JFCS clients and program participants know the community is thinking about them and reminding them that they are not alone during this isolating time. These cards don't have to be fancy, so no pressure if you don't feel creative. Your warm and cheerful messages will go a long way!
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Volunteer Spotlights: Meet Milo and Mickey
Check out these recent blog posts below to learn about our featured volunteers
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Recap of Volunteer Appreciation Event and Annual Meeting |
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Thank you to all who attended our annual Volunteer Appreciation Event and our 112th Annual Meeting in May and June! It was so wonderful to be able to gather together to celebrate in person after having virtual events the last couple of years.
Welcome to our newly-elected JFCS Board Members Rachel Ganani, Allison Gelfman, Beth Levy, Jeff Lifson, Andrew Savitz, Andy Stillman and Robert Yost. Congrats again to our volunteer honorees, Gloria Murman and Elizabeth Lewis for all your contributions to JFCS.
>Visit our Facebook page to see the more photos posted for the respective events on May 26 and June 10.
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Save the Date – Hag Sameach 30th Anniversary |
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The Hag Sameach (Happy Holidays) program is celebrating our 30th anniversary and you are invited to join in the celebration!
Sunday, Sept. 11
11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
JFCS - 5905 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley
There will be a variety of fun vendors so you can start your holiday shopping early, food trucks, raffle prizes, special guests, tours and so much more! As a bonus, part of the proceeds will go to the Hag Sameach program, so our program recipients will get to benefit from the festivities as well! More details will be shared as we get closer to the event.
>We still have a couple of openings for vendors – if you have a store or food truck, please contact Mindy Teele, Hag Sameach Manager at [email protected] to learn more about how you can get involved in this exciting community-wide event!
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Thank you to everyone who contributed their time, energy and talents these past few months to support JFCS programs in a number of ways |
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Thanks to everyone who came out to celebrate Pride with us! Whether you were at the Pride Shabbat service on Saturday morning, marching in the parade on Sunday, volunteering at the booth, or stopped by to say hi. |
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JFCS Board Members assemble toiletry kits for Hag Sameach. |
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Volunteers help ensure events like the Memory Cafés run smoothly. |
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Teens help with a project to sort and organize PJ Library books. |
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Many volunteers continue to participate in Cards for the Community, a remote volunteer opportunity that started during COVID-19 as a way to send a cheerful message to JFCS clients to remind them that they are not alone and the community cares about them. |
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Thanks to all the volunteers who provided support at the annual Network of Jewish Human Service Agencies (NJHSA) Conference held in Minneapolis! Volunteers prepared the swag bags and served as friendly ambassadors to greet conference attendees at the welcome table and assist with basic questions. |
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The Hag Sameach Leadership Team recently had their kick-off meeting and have started planning for the year. |
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The Senior Companions gathered for their first in-person meeting since before COVID-19. |
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For more information about JFCS Volunteer Services, contact Dana Shapiro, Community & Volunteer Engagement Manager, at [email protected] or 952.417.2112.
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Jewish Family and Children’s Service of Minneapolis
5905 Golden Valley Rd | Golden Valley, MN 55422
952-546-0616 | 952-593-1778 fax | www.jfcsmpls.org
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