Congratulations to Greycen:
YVCHR Volunteer of the Month!

Greycen joined YVCHR in August of 2018 and has been making an impact ever since. He volunteers purely for the enjoyment and satisfaction it brings when helping others. Tidewater Autism Society's monthly respite night at Rebounderz is his favorite project because he not only gets to have fun jumping with the kids, but he also enjoys making friends with his buddy and putting a smile on their face. He strives to make them feel special ...and he does just that!

Besides volunteering, Greycen enjoys playing lacrosse and football. He is interested in underwater robotics and coding, so it is no surprise that Greycen plans to study engineering in college after he completes high school.
Pictured above is Greycen at the Foodbank during a Summer of Service session. 

Fun Facts:
Greycen is also a Sea Scout, participates in a wooden boat building class, and is in the YMCA's Leaders Club.
YVC School Club Spotlight
Smithfield High School
Smithfield High School is home to one of our newest school clubs (and our first YVC club in Isle of Wight County)! The club was spearheaded by a student, Akilah Frye, and is sponsored by English teacher Ashleigh Jedlowski. The club has been student-driven from the start, and Mrs. Jedlowski is impressed to see that this small group is so consistent and enthusiastic, which will help the club to grow over time.

As a group, they volunteered at the Chesapeake Bounce House event for Tidewater Autism Society, have made great progress on a recycled bottle cap project, and are working on organizing a clean-up at Nike Park. The club is also participating in this year’s Canstructure Competition!

According to Mrs. Jedlowski, the most valuable thing is seeing students who are self-motivated and who take time to help others. As a former YVC club sponsor at her previous school in Newport News, Mrs. Jedlowski was excited when Akilah approached her about starting a YVC club at Smithfield because it has given her the chance to continue offering the YVC experience to students in Isle of Wight.
2020 Canstructure Competition
The 9th Annual YVCHR Canstructure Competition is scheduled for April 25, 2020 at Patrick Henry Mall! Schools are invited to register for this K-12 event that combines STEM skills with service to the community as students combat hunger in Hampton Roads. This year's theme is WONDERS OF THE WORLD! Details are available at www.yvchr.org/canstructure2020. For sponsorship opportunities, contact kmorgan@yvchr.org.
SPECIAL HEALTH ANNOUNCEMENT
In light of the concern over Coronavirus (COVID 19), we request that all volunteers please evaluate their health before coming to projects. Out of an abundance of caution and to protect other volunteers, staff and our host agencies, if you or a family member in your household has a fever and/or other cold/flu symptoms, please stay home. Likewise, if your family has traveled to an area where Coronavirus is present, we ask that you remove yourself from the volunteer roster. If you have signed up for a project and find you are unable to attend, please email programdirector@yvchr.org or call us.

We will be monitoring the situation closely and will take our cue from the public schools and our host sites as to whether or not to cancel, postpone or modify projects. As of right now, we will continue to serve the community to the best of our ability.
Service Opportunities for March and April
Check out the PROJECT CALENDAR on our website and be sure to sign up for these great service projects!
WAIT LIST ONLY
Volunteers will help with the Senior Market
(some heavy lifting may be required).
Postponed - TBD
FULL-WAIT LIST ONLY
Volunteers will serve a warm meal to gentlemen who are facing homelessness.
4 SPOTS LEFT!
This event is all about nurturing the love of reading and providing fun for families!
WAIT LIST ONLY

Easter "bunnies" are needed to help prepare children's baskets for Edmarc's Easter Spring Fling.
4 SPOTS LEFT
It's time to build a playground. It won't be baaaaad... but you will need to roll up your sleeves and flex those muscles.
**Parent participation required for youth under 14 years old.**
PORTSMOUTH LOCATION
High school volunteers are needed for this incredible opportunity to bring joy and serve the children and families of Edmarc Hospice for Children at their annual Spring Fling. If you enjoy being in costume, there is an opportunity to dress as their mascot, Wags, for photo ops.
If you love egg hunts, then this event is for you. Volunteers will hide eggs and help with other event details to make it a fun experience for the children who attend.

If you would like to dress up as the Easter Bunny, email programdirector@yvchr.org.
Help provide global hunger relief at this fast-paced, fun and impactful meal-packaging event. We are grateful to the local Rotary clubs who are sponsoring this opportunity for community members.
Here is your chance to bowl with some extraordinary Special Olympians! This is a weekly commitment and we ask that volunteers commit to at least 5 weeks between April 15 and May 20th.
This outdoor family festival will be held at New Town in Williamsburg and have multiple stations where youth can serve.
Missed March? Sign up to serve a meal to the gentlemen of Peninsula Rescue Mission who are facing homelessness.
Weekday Service Opportunities for Tabb Middle, York High and Grafton Middle/High Students for February and March
Check out the WEEKDAY PROJECT CALENDAR on our website and be sure to sign up for these great opportunities! More weekday projects will be added on a regular basis.
*GRAFTON* - POSTPONED TO MARCH 30TH
Youth will be helping to finish surgery bears and blankets for patients at CHKD.
*TABB MIDDLE/YORK HIGH*
Youth will be sorting and packing for the different Foodbank programs.
*TABB MIDDLE/YORK HIGH*
Youth will be helping to construct the frame for the goat playground by digging post holes and securing posts into the ground.

**Parent participation required for youth under 14 years old.**
*GRAFTON*
Youth are needed to help off load and distribute food to those facing food insecurity in our community.

Photo ID needed.
We have a few little libraries to finish and we need your help. If you like to paint and use power tools then this is your project. No experience needed, just a willingness to learn.
It's time for our close up...Give Local 757 is shooting a commercial for Giving Day in May so we need some students interested in being on camera to promote YVCHR. Once finished, youth will create cards of encouragement for a local nonprofit.
*TABB MIDDLE/YORK HIGH*
Youth will be helping to finish surgery bears and blankets for patients at CHKD.
No experience is necessary!
*GRAFTON*
Youth will be helping to finish surgery bears and blankets for patients at CHKD.
No experience is necessary!

Don and Jean Sloan Youth Service Scholarship
Opened: February 1st

The Don and Jean Sloan Youth Service Scholarship is awarded through Youth Volunteer Corps Headquarters. The $1,000 scholarship is open to active YVC volunteers who have demonstrated excellence in volunteerism and leadership and who are committed to making a difference in their communities.


To see the requirements, criteria and what you will need in order to apply for this scholarship, please follow the link below.


Deadline: April 30, 2020
Scholarship: $10,000 to be applied to higher education or to a service project

The Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes celebrates inspiring, public-spirited young people from diverse backgrounds all across North America. Youth need to be currently working on an inspiring service project or have done so within the past 12 months and need to be working as an individual to lead their service work.

Each year, the Barron Prize honors 25 outstanding young leaders ages 8-18 who have made a significant positive difference to peopl e and the environment.

Deadline: April 15, 2020
Special thanks to this month's FEATURED PARTNER, BayPort Credit Union! They have come alongside YVCHR to support continued opportunities for youth volunteers to gain construction skills through our hands-on build projects.
Community Knights: Bingo Volunteers Needed!
High school students and adults who would like to help local schools and nonprofit organizations (like YVCHR!), please consider signing up to volunteer at Community Knights Bingo on Wednesdays and/or Sundays. Proceeds from bingo are donated back into the Hampton Roads community!

NOTE: Community Knights will sign volunteer logs for those who need evidence of service hours.
This is not a YVCHR-sponsored event, so a team leader from YVCHR will not be on-site.
Contact Cori Toepel at Community Knights for more info:
757-932-8440