Entry bubble United We Serve

By: Jess | June 25, 2009 | Category: General

Earlier this week, President Obama announced United We Serve, a summer campaign encouraging citizens across the country to reach out and volunteer in their communities. The campaign runs from now until September 11 with the idea that it takes more than government officials to help solve the problems the country is facing.

In his video message, the President says the country needs volunteers in schools as mentors and tutors, in hospitals to help keep people healthy, and in many other places that officials in Washington D.C. can't be.

There are plenty of opportunities for you to give some of your time if you're interested.  

Serve.gov is the new Web site that was launched as part of this effort. You can find information on all kinds of service projects in your community. And if you're working on a project and looking for volunteers, you can register it and promote it on the site to help attract volunteers.

Even if you can only give one hour each week, someone else's life will be touched. Feel free to share in the comments any volunteer projects you will be working on this summer.

And don't forget to submit your Independence Day photos on the USA.gov / GobiernoUSA.gov Flickr Group.

 

| View Comments [3] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: community_service   jess   united_we_serve   volunteer  

 

Entry bubble Creative Giving in Tough Times

By: Nancy | December 04, 2008 | Category: Money

Usually at the end of the year, people and businesses start thinking about last minute charitable contributions, driven by the holiday spirit or the need for tax deductions. Whatever the motivation, this is typically the biggest time for charities. But not this year. The financial hit that families and businesses have taken recently is translating into a financial hit for charities too. Some nonprofits, like a Boys and Girls Club near Washington, DC could close if things don't turn around. hand holding a quarter

I found a great link today on ConsumerAction.gov to a Better Business Bureau article on ways to give creatively when your heart's bigger than your wallet:

Open your closets and your cupboards: Unworn or gently used clothes, toys, household items and extra canned or packaged food are all welcome more than ever at your local thrift shop or food pantry since both places are seeing a lot more traffic during this tough economic time. I went to my local Goodwill last week to buy some books and was astounded by how unusually crowded the place was. Remember to double-check the dates on food packages and make sure the clothes and household items are clean and without holes. Donating stuff that's not in good condition ends up adding costs and wasting time for charities because they have to sort through and dispose of items that aren't in good shape.

Donate a vehicle: Reluctant to try to sell my beloved Jeep on my own and wanting more than anything for it to go to somebody else who really needed it, I donated it to my church a few months ago. In their car donation program, my church gives the vehicle directly to a family in need. The vehicle donor in turn gets to claim the car or truck's Blue Book value. Other car donation programs may sell your vehicle at auction. That auction price—usually much less than Blue Book value—is the amount you get to claim on your taxes. Make sure you know which route the charity you'll be donating your vehicle to will take, so you won't be surprised in the end.

Give the gift of time and talk: Stocking shelves at a food pantry, tutoring a kid, polishing up a jobless friend's resume, running or riding in a jog- or bike-a-thon—whatever your interests or talents, there are people and groups that would be grateful for your time. And if you're an avid blogger, emailer or part of an online community, chatting about your favorite nonprofit organizations is a great way to motivate others to support them. And it doesn't cost you a dime.

How do you support your favorite causes?

| View Comments [6] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: car   charity   donation   nancy   volunteer  

 

Entry bubble Summer Jobs for Kids

By: Nicole | May 16, 2008 | Category: General

Backyard FootballHere in D.C. it’s 75 degrees and sunny, which can mean just one thing. Soon, it will be 90 degrees and so humid I’ll need SCUBA equipment to breathe. I might not be thrilled by this prospect, but the kids in my life can’t wait. Summer for them means trips to the beach, lazy days playing pick-up football, and extended bedtimes. In another year or two, it might also mean a summer job, possibly a government job.

So, for those of you who have kids 13 and older, I've gathered together some helpful resources. The U.S. Department of Labor provides specific information for parents about the rules governing youth labor. For example, there are special rules regarding the minimum wage for young workers. There are also time restrictions. Generally, kids 14-15 can work a full 40 hour-week during non-school weeks, but only 18 hours during a school week. There are no federal time restrictions for kids over the age of 16, but you should check your state laws because some provide stricter guidelines. There are different rules for kids whose parents own their own business or farm.

Even if your kids aren’t quite old enough to have a summer job, they can begin investigating careers. Using the Web, you can find information about which industries are growing, as well as match students’ interests with possible career options.

VolunteerAnother terrific idea for kids during the summer is volunteer work, which can provide new skills and foster a sense of civic involvement. In addition, colleges are often impressed by applicants who volunteer their time to help others. Many government agencies have volunteer opportunities.

Do you have any creative ideas for great summer jobs?

| View Comments [2] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: career   jobs   kids   labor   school   seasonal   students   summer   teens   vocation   volunteer   youth  

 

Entry bubble Volunteer: It’s the Gift That Keeps on Giving

By: Sam | December 05, 2007 | Category: Home and Family

One of my 2007 New Year’s goals (I don’t like saying resolutions) was to volunteer more.  And with a new year right around the corner, I have to admit I wasn’t that successful in achieving it.  Like many, I found it much easier to give financially than to give my time.

However, this goal will be back at the top of my 2008 list, and this time I intend to follow through.  Before Thanksgiving, some friends and I volunteered at Food & Friends, a wonderful D.C. organization that prepares, packages, and delivers meals and groceries to more than 1,300 people living with HIV/AIDS, cancer, and other life-challenging illnesses.  I also have become involved with One Brick whose motto, ‘commitment-free volunteering,’ is great for a busy gal like me.

I really like these two organizations, but I also want to find some others to share my time with.  Thankfully, USA.gov has a great “Public Service and Volunteerism” page that can help make my search easier.   From volunteer opportunities at national parks to the Smithsonian, there’s something for everyone no matter where your interests lie.

I found the following three sites to be very useful in helping me match my interests (reading, music, the environment) and talents (shopping, multi-tasking, knowledge of all things pop culture) with organizations around the D.C. area.  Please feel free to share other helpful sites along with your volunteering experiences in the comment section.

  • USA Freedom Corps:  Helps you find service opportunities that match your interests and talents in your hometowns, across the country, or around the world.  You can also learn how to earn the President’s Volunteer Service Award.
  • NationalService.gov:  The Corporation for National & Community Service offers information about volunteering and administers several volunteer programs, including AmeriCorps and SeniorCorps.
  • Volunteer.Gov/Gov:  A single, easy-to-use web portal with information about volunteer opportunities.  You can search by keyword, state, activity, agency, and/or date range.

| View Comments [1] | envelope E-mail This Entry | Tags: resolutions   usa.gov   volunteer   volunteering