News & Updates
November 2020
Season of Caring Projects
See how you can help.
Help Pack Thanksgiving Baskets
Lake Area United Way is looking for volunteers to pack Thanksgiving baskets.
Click to Learn More.
Thanksgiving Giveaway Distribution
Lake Area United Way is looking for volunteers to help hand out baskets during their Thanksgiving giveaway.
Click to Learn More.
Welcome Home Group Work Day
The Welcome Network is looking for volunteers to help with interior renovations on their new temporary housing unit.
Click to Learn More.
Help Make Masks For NWI Healthcare Workers
Help create masks for our local healthcare workers from the comfort of your own home.
Click to Learn More.
Become a Coach, Change Her Life
Volunteer as a Girls on the Run Coach. This is either an in-person or virtual volunteer opportunity.
Click to Learn More.
Volunteer Receptionist
Methodist Hospital is looking for volunteer receptionists in the Surgery Waiting Room, the Neuroscience department, and Patient Registration.
"No-Sew Blanket" Supply Drive Hosts Needed
Campagna Academy is looking for volunteers to host supply drives for materials to make no-sew blankets.
Click to Learn More.
Road to Recovery Driver
The American Cancer Society is looking for volunteers to help drive cancer patients to their treatments.
Click to Learn More.
Brighten The Day of A Hospice Patient
Volunteers are needed to donate items to help make seasonal gift baskets for hospice patients and their families.
Click to Learn More.
Food Pantry Packing Food Boxes and Distribution
G.A.P Food Pantry is looking for volunteers to help pack and distribute food boxes for their giveaways.
Click to Learn More.
Food Pantry Stocking
Help stock the shelve at G.A.P Food Pantry.
Click to Learn More.
SAFE Coalition Volunteers
SAFE Coalition For Human Rights is looking for volunteers to help with Technical Support, Event Associates, Marketing Volunteers, COVID-19 Helpline.
Hospice Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help patients and their families as well as do administrative work.
Click to Learn More.
Safe Place Volunteers
The Crisis Center is looking for volunteers to help with various aspects of their Safe Place program. They are looking for volunteers to do Community Outreach, Data Entry, and Crisis Responders.
STAR Award Nominations Due By This Friday!

The STAR Awards are back for their fifth year! STAR, which stands for Serving Together Achieves Results, offers local non-profits, community organizations and the faith-based community the opportunity to recognize the employees and volunteers that are making a difference in Lake County. Nominations for the 2020 STAR awards are due by 5pm this Friday, November 6th. Nominations can be made online HERE. We encourage volunteers to nominate the organizations they serve, as well as to self-nominate for the amazing work they have done this year in the community.

To make a nomination, fill out the online form and upload a 1 minute or less video describing why you are nominating the volunteer, employee, or organization for the particular award. If you want to nominate multiple people or organizations for awards, please submit an individual form for each nomination.
 
Awards Categories include:
 
·       The Shooting Star Award will be presented to volunteers whose efforts on behalf of a nonprofit or faith-based organization deserve recognition.
·       The Mega Star Award will be presented to an individual with special needs who works as a volunteer or staff member whose efforts benefit the organization and the community.
·       The Rising Star Award will be presented to a youth or youth group who has gone above and beyond in their efforts to give back to the community. This can include outstanding volunteer work or efforts to help an individual, a specific population, or their community as a whole.
·       The Heart of Service Award will be presented to a staff member that consistently provides superior service and genuine care to clients and the community. Client-facing staff including case managers, social workers and support staff should be considered for this award.
·       The Shining Star Award will be presented to a non-profit demonstrating superior performance in all aspects of nonprofit management, community engagement and service.
·       The Collaborative Effort Award will be presented to organizations demonstrating the best collaborative initiative or event. Collaboration is the process of two or more people or organizations working together to complete a shared task or achieve a shared goal.
·       The Little Dipper Award will be presented to a volunteer, staff member, or organization who has shown superior service in the field of child care. This includes organizations providing child care, early education services, and out-of-school programming.
·       The Sol Award will be presented to a volunteer, staff member, or organization who has shown superior service in the providing clients with services in the field of basic needs. Basic needs include assistance with housing, food, clothing, health care, and mental health care.
·       The North Star Award will be presented to a volunteer, staff member, or organization who has shown superior service in assisting families working towards financial stability. Financial stability work includes continued education, job training, financial education, financial services, and any other services designed to help families improve their financial situation.
·       The Comet Award will be presented to a volunteer, staff member, or organization who has shown superior service in assisting families obtain better paying jobs. This can include work in the areas of workforce development, job training, job search, teachers, trainers, and any other services designed to help move individuals into better paying jobs.
 
The 2020 STAR awards are going to look a little different this year. The award ceremony will be held online instead of in person this year due to the Coronavirus. The ceremony will take place in early December. The ceremony is free to attend; however, attendees will be asked to register online to receive the link to the online meeting. More information about the ceremony will be announced in the coming weeks.
 
For more information about the event or issues submitting a nomination please reach out to Megan Sikes, Community Engagement Manager, at [email protected].
Training Corner

Training videos are now live on volunteerlakecounty.org! Whether you are new to the site or need a refresher on how to use certain features, we've got a video tutorial to help you make the most of the site. We'll constantly be adding new videos, but if there is ever anything in particular you would like to see please reach out to Megan Sikes at [email protected].

With the holidays coming up, we wanted to revisit the tutorials on how to sign up for a project as an individual and as a team.
Signing Up As An Individual
Creating and Signing Up As A Team
Thanksgiving Basket Giveaway
For the fifth year we are partnering with Attorney Kenneth J. Allen to provide Thanksgiving baskets to families in need. This year we will be distributing 1,200 baskets on Monday, November 23rd. This year's distribution will be a drive through distribution in order to meet COVID-19 safety guidelines. To qualify for a basket you must be a Lake County, IN resident and meet the income eligibility guidelines. If you or someone you know is in need of food assistance this Thanksgiving and would like to learn more or to register for a basket CLICK HERE. Please note, you must be registered in order to receive a basket. Registration for baskets will go live on Monday, Nov. 2nd at 10am.
Questions? Contact Megan Sikes at [email protected] or 219-923-2302 ex. 311.
VOLUNTEER LAKE COUNTY | volunteerlakecounty.org