Celebrations from National Volunteer Month |
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April was quite a month at Volunteers in Plano. Thank you Mayor Muns for our 40th Anniversary proclamation for National Volunteer Month. Every April, we pause and celebrate volunteers who have donated their valuable time back to their neighbors and community. We had a great turnout of long-time volunteers join us to celebrate this milestone. The party isn't over yet. Find us in Downtown Plano to celebrate Plano's 150th birthday on June 3rd!
With Gratitude,
Corina Sadler, CVA
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Become a Tour Guide at the Interurban Railway Museum
Help Plano history come to life as a volunteer tour guide at the Interurban Railway Museum. Ideal for enthusiastic individuals comfortable interacting with diverse groups of all ages. Must be interested in volunteering weekly on an ongoing basis. Not an expert in trains or local history? That's okay! If you are passionate about serving, engaging and educating others, the Museum will teach you everything you need to know. Read a full volunteer description here or email Morgan Green-Griffin to learn more.
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City of Plano in the Community |
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Girl Scouts Plant Trees at Big Lake Park |
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Thank you to Girl Scout Troop 1624 for planting 10 trees in Plano. Troop leaders and scouts were led by Plano's Urban Forester, Marc Beaudoing and a representative from the Texas A&M Forestry Service.
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Tree Planting at Russell Creek Park |
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Volunteers in Plano put out the call for community volunteers to help Plano's Urban Forester Marc Beaudoing with the final spring tree planting. Corporate, community and Live Green in Plano volunteers picked up a shovel and planted 10 trees! We appreciate their dedication to serving on a chilly morning. |
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Girl Scouts Bring Smiles to Animal Services |
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Girl Scout Troop 8100 delivered Girl Scout cookies to Animal Services staff as a thank-you for their hard work and dedication for the health and welfare of Plano’s furry friends! In addition to being a Troop Leader with 8100, Porcha Maten volunteers as a Cat Room Attendant. Thank you Porcha for donating cookies and sharing your passion for animals with Plano youth!
An additional thank you to the following groups who’ve volunteered at Animal Services recently including Catalyst Health, Dala Communications and the University of Texas at Dallas’s American Medical Women's Association. If your corporate, college or civic organization is interested in sending a group of 3-6 adults to volunteer please contact Morgan Green-Griffin. All group members must be 18 or older.
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Eagle Scout Contributes to Harrington Library |
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Yusuf Shaikh of Boy Scout Troup 2054 delivered his completed Eagle Scout project to Harrington Library this spring. The handmade alphabet blocks allow learning and fun to go hand in hand. Congratulations on achieving the Eagle Scout rank, Yusuf! |
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Plano Student Receives the First Lady's Rising Star Award |
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Plano West Senior High School student, Vedha Vaddaraju received the First Lady's Youth Volunteer Rising Star Award for co-founding Letters of Gold. The nonprofit sends uplifting letters to older adults, domestic abuse survivors, schools in Plano and healthcare workers in Texas, Washington, Arizona and California. This award honors exceptionalism in service to the community. First Lady Cecelia Abbott presented Vedha with the award at the 39th Annual Governor’s Volunteer Awards in Austin (pictured above). |
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Bag of Books Sale Success |
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The March Bag of Books Sale at the Haggard Library was a huge success thanks to the 65 volunteers who worked alongside staff to make it happen. Mike Wing from Champion Fire & Security is pictured above. Thanks to everyone who volunteered or shopped. Book Sales benefit Friends of the Plano Public Library. The next Book Sale will be July 1-9 at Harrington Library. |
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Awards and Special Recognition |
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Plano Citizens Police Academy Alumni Association (PCPAAA)
Volunteer Awards
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PCPAAA Volunteer of the Year Award: Michelle Curtis |
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PCPAAA Rookie of the Year Award:
Judy Brock
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PCPAAA Leadership held their annual recognition event to celebrate the 160-plus members who live or work in Plano. PCPAAA’s volunteers enhance the City’s ability to promote safe and welcoming communities. Michelle Curtis and Judy Brock (pictured above) received the Volunteer and Rookie of the Year Awards respectively. PCPAAA is an awarding-winning organization. Members must complete the Citizens Police Academy prior to enrollment. |
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Plano Fire-Rescue Associates (PFRA) Volunteer Appreciation |
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Each spring, PFRA meets to recognize members who contributed time and talents to the association over the year. PFRA volunteers support Plano Fire-Rescue after completing a Citizens Fire Academy program. Thank you PFRA for serving Plano! |
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Sam Johnson Recreation Center - Volunteer Recognition |
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On April 24, Sam Johnson Recreation Center volunteers and staff gathered together to celebrate a year of success. All volunteers were recognized for their unique contributions and tireless dedication to the SJRC. Gazebo Café volunteers help provide 500 meals per week. Bingo assistants and callers facilitate the most popular program impacting over 200 members per week. Greeters give a friendly first impression to visitors and members. And the Plano Garden Club keeps the heart of the Center beautiful and in bloom year around. Whoever walks into the building is impacted by the volunteer spirit that makes SJRC the premier destination for active adults in Plano. |
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Plano Animal Services - Volunteer Recognition |
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Congratulations to Plano Animal Services’ Volunteer of the Year, Dean Sablotny! Since he started volunteering in 2017, Dean has contributed close to 3,000 hours serving the shelter by socializing dogs, counseling potential adopters, greeting visitors and assisting with administrative tasks. Senior Animal Services Officer Amber Weible remarked that the shelter wouldn’t function without him. His diligence, consistency and dedication make Dean a truly exceptional volunteer and asset to the Plano community. |
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Volunteers enjoyed an appreciation luncheon on April 29 where their unique contributions were celebrated by shelter staff, VIP and Council Members Rick Grady and Rick Smith. Additionally, Meghan Rieke and Laura Purser were recognized for reaching their 10-year volunteer milestone. |
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President's Volunteer Service Award Winners |
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VIP Teen volunteers with 100+ hours of City service between January – December are eligible for the President’s Volunteer Service Award. In 2022 nine teens received the award which includes a commemorative lapel pin and a letter of congratulations from President Biden. Teen volunteers serve at summer camps, library programs and shelving, Adapted Recreation, special events and more.
Not pictured: Sana Shahid, Nathan Raguboopathi, Winnie Hu and Prajith Sugatan.
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Andy Good Wins Volunteer McKinney Award |
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Volunteer McKinney awarded Andy Good their Volunteer of the Year award for his contributions to the Plano Police Department’s Victim Services unit and other nonprofits in Collin County. Andy started volunteering in 2018 and recently surpassed the 1,000 volunteer hour milestone. He assists with administrative tasks and events like Tree of Angels and the Evening of Empowerment. Supervisors Jessica Serrano and Kristy Hoffpauir nominated Andy for the award and stated his work enhances their ability to serve victims of crime. Congratulations Andy! |
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Celebrating Plano's 150th Birthday |
Save the date! You're invited to celebrate Plano's 150th birthday on Saturday, June 3 from 4 to 8 pm in Downtown Plano. |
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Non-Profits Seeking Support |
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Treasurer Needed
Background in finance, accounting or a related field? Become the treasurer for the Plano Conservancy Board, where you’ll support the Museum and other historical projects in Plano. Board terms last 3 years. Please reach out to Jeff Campbell directly it interested.
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Prelude Clubhouse
Prelude Clubhouse is a Plano non-profit community recovery program whose unique Clubhouse International Accredited program helps reduce the negative life outcomes often associated with mental illness, including isolation, hospitalization, loss of employment, incarceration and more. They are seeking individual volunteers to engage in meaningful service with adults in their recovery from mental illness during the Work Ordered Day program.
Backgrounds in social work, nursing, therapy, IT or some computer skills, or even a personal general interest in helping others makes for a great Clubhouse volunteer. Working side by side with a Clubhouse member is very rewarding. A Volunteer Staff Generalist works part-time at the Clubhouse, and specific training is available for the ideal interested individual. Call 972-424-2990 to set up your Clubhouse tour and to get more information about becoming a great Volunteer at Prelude Clubhouse!
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