Help manage tech support for helpline, train other volunteers in using telephone/video apps, troubleshooting installation, and setting up conference registrations.
With everything going on in the world right now, it might seem strange to stop and celebrate, but
that's what we want to do this week. We want to thank you--all of the amazing volunteers who give of their time, talents, and treasures year round. And now, we're grateful for those who are stepping up and answering the call during this pandemic.
National Volunteer Week is an opportunity to celebrate the impact of volunteer service and the power of volunteers to tackle society’s greatest challenges, to build stronger communities, and be a force that transforms the world. Volunteers are the lifeblood of nonprofits, so when we say we couldn't do the work we do without you we truly mean it!
It's never been more evident how important volunteers are to our community. Without you, seniors would go hungry because they wouldn't receive their meals from Meals on Wheels. Many more families would be going hungry because food pantries wouldn't be open. Hospital patients would die from lack of blood due to low donor supplies. Shelters and group homes would run out of supplies if not for the volunteers donating what supplies they can.
And while they might not technically be volunteers, we also want to send an enormous THANK YOU to all of the doctors, nurses, hospital staff, grocery store clerks, gas station attendants, delivery drivers, first responders, and all the the front line staff who are working so hard to not only keep us safe but trying to keep life moving as close to normal as can be right now.
During these days of social distancing, there are still ways you can volunteer and help the community. We are working with our community partners to identify any volunteer or donation needs they have during this crisis. Those needs will be posted on a special COVID-19 page of VolunteerLakeCounty.org. Lake Area United Way created this free website to help match volunteers to opportunities throughout the county. You can view projects, email project coordinators, and sign up as an individual or team all with a few quick clicks of a button. The site will also automatically track your volunteer hours and provide you a transcript showing all your volunteer activity which makes it a great tool for anyone who needs to keep track of service hours.
Nonprofits, churches, and other community groups looking for volunteers can also create an account to post and manage their volunteer opportunities, run reports, and manage their volunteer database.
On behalf of the Lake County nonprofit community, thank you for volunteering! We look forward to the day when we can get back to our normal volunteer activities, but in the mean time we truly appreciate any help you are able to provide during this time of crisis.
You Can Help Your Neighbors In Need
NWI COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund
If you aren't able to volunteer, but would still like to help those in our community who have been affected by this virus, you can do so by supporting the NWI COVID-19 Community Economic Relief Fund. This fund was created by Lake Area United Way to support our local nonprofits and help meet the increased needs for services that they are seeing. 100% of the funds raised will go to local nonprofit organizations to allow them to better serve our local families in need. So far the fund has raised over $56,500 through donations from corporate partners and generous individuals throughout the community.
