Volunteer WV Blog | West Virginia Volunteerism

An editorial on National Preparedness Month

 

A funny thing happened Wednesday.  I received an email wishing me a Happy National Preparedness Month.  With a hurricane bearing down on the east coast and three more perhaps directly behind it, hostage crisis at business offices, heavy rains hitting the Midwest and daily responses to everyday events such as house fires never ending I thought “What’s so *#@%* happy about it?”   

 

So, let’s think about this.  How would National Preparedness Month be happy? Well, if anyone out there has been paying attention to agencies such as the American Red Cross, Citizen Corps, FEMA, the State of WV (or any state they live in including the state of confusion), they have all the tools they need to be prepared.  And being prepared can and does equal happiness when an emergency strikes.  Take the person working in an office with no windows and the power goes out and the back up lights hadn’t been tested so they weren’t working.  That person reached right down in her bag and pulled out a flashlight and could lead co-workers to safety.   Or the young father who had taken child CPR and knew how to save his daughter’s life when she fell into a pool and nearly drowned.  Or the person who, while vacationing at a resort hotel, was mandated to shelter in place for 48 hours due to a nearby chemical leak and was prepared for the unexpected extended stay with back-up personal medication.

 

All of these folks experienced the unexpected.  The emergency couldn’t be avoided by them but they were able to soften the effect and become much less of a victim by being prepared.  It only takes a little time.  Make a Plan.  Build a Kit.  Be Informed!  Talk to your family members, even those that roll their eyes at you (like my family does) whenever you ask if they are prepared with extra batteries.  I’d rather be considered that crazy person that thinks the big earthquake will occur and she won’t be ready for it than to be caught without the stuff I need to survive it!  That reminds me – I need to switch out my emergency food.  Nothing like a little chocolate party every 6 months! 

 

I mean, after all, I’m willing to share with you if I need to, but if you just do a little preparation now, I won’t need to share my radio with you to hear where to report to for a hot meal.  So – let’s make this a happy month!  Let’s everyone take this weekend to make those plans, build those kits and get informed.  Check out this website for some great tips!  www.redcross.org  And remember to wish everyone you know a Happy National Preparedness Month!

 

 

Sharon Kesselring│ Financial Development Director

American Red Cross

 

Announcing the 2010 Youth Preparedness Project!

September is National Preparedness Month and we want to see how you and your family are getting prepared!

Have your artwork displayed on Ready.WV.gov. Youth from 4-18 are invited to participate. Click here for more information.

http://www.volunteerwv.org/nd/assets/downloads/CC/2010YouthProject.pdf

Six WV Businesses Receive Volunteerism Award

Charleston, W.Va. - Six West Virginia businesses were honored today for outstanding dedication to their communities through service and volunteerism at the second annual Business Volunteerism Reception at the Governor’s Mansion in Charleston.

                  The event highlighted members of the West Virginia Business Volunteer Council and included short presentations from statewide officials and award recipients.  The Business Volunteerism Awards is a new effort this year by the statewide Council to recognize businesses for the important way they play a role in making West Virginia communities better places to live and work. 

Businesses from around the state were nominated in one of three award categories: Entrepreneurial Service, Spirit of Volunteerism, or Corporate Responsibility. Winners in the Entrepreneurial Service category incorporated service into their policies and practices for the first time during 2009. Winners in the Spirit of Volunteerism category significantly supported service through their policies and practices in 2009. Finally, winners in the Corporate Responsibility category logged the most volunteer hours on the VolunteerWV.org matching database in 2009.

 

Winners in each of the categories include the following.

·         Entrepreneurial Service – Charles Ryan Associates:  After seeing Watts Elementary School on Charleston’s west side struggle, Charles Ryan Associates (CRA), a Charleston-based marketing firm, stepped up to launch a partnership in education program.  Through this program, CRA had an opportunity to provide financial support to a group in need, allow their employees an opportunity to volunteer their time and talents, and bring the company together to help their local community.  In 2009, CRA coordinated and supported a number of programs, including Student of the Month luncheons, a student mentoring program, a playground restoration, teacher appreciation efforts, and a No-Shave November fundraiser.

·         Spirit of Volunteerism [Small Company (1-50 employees)] – American Amish Company: The American Amish Company is a small business that makes a big difference in West Virginia.  The Morgantown and Martinsburg-based company is one of the nation’s largest providers of sheds, barns, gazebos, swing sets and other structures built by Amish craftsman. The company contributes to a variety of community efforts in both communities.  Just a few examples of the company’s 2009 projects during 2009 include a makeover to a local Ronald McDonald House, expansion of the Berkeley County Animal Control office, and building a ticket booth for Washington High School.

·         Spirit of Volunteerism [Medium Company (50-200 employees)] – Bank of Charles Town: At the Bank of Charles Town in the Eastern Panhandle, service is part of the company’s core business values and is incorporated into every aspect of business.  The bank’s president, Robert Baronner, is considered the “go-to guy” for the Eastern Panhandle’s nonprofit community.  In 2009, employees of the Bank of Charles Town participated in many service projects including the United Way Day of Caring, and the March of Dimes, just to name a few. 

·         Spirit of Volunteerism [Medium Company (50-200 employees)] – Quad Graphics, Inc.: The second medium-sized business, Quad/Graphics Inc., a Martinsburg-based printing company,  feels an important part of leadership development is learned through community service. The company performs values-based volunteering by building community service and volunteerism into the company’s values.  Quad Graphics encourages its employees to volunteer with organizations for which they feel passionate. The company has been involved with projects such as the Berkeley County Youth Fair, the Roundhouse Restoration Project, and various recycling and anti-litter efforts with the Berkeley Community Pride organization, among many other things.

·         Spirit of Volunteerism [Large Company (200+ employees)] – Brickstreet Mutual Insurance: BrickStreet Mutual Insurance, a statewide company, is dedicated to the development, promotion and implementation of community service and advocacy programs on a local, state and national level.  At BrickStreet, service projects are planned and promoted by an employee community service team.  In 2009, the company participated in a number of service projects including the Special Olympics, WCHS Backpack Attack, Toys for Tots, and United Way’s Sunday Scoop and Day of Caring. 

·         Corporate Responsibility – Saint Francis Hospital: Saint Francis Hospital, based in Charleston, recognized the importance of serving the healthcare needs of citizens in the Kanawha Valley not only through traditional healthcare services but also through community outreach.  In 2009, Saint Francis Hospital logged 6,750 community service hours on volunteerwv.org, a statewide volunteer matching database. 

 

For more information on the West Virginia Business Volunteer Council or the Business Volunteerism Awards program, contact Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s Commission for National and Community Service, at (304) 558-0111 or by visiting www.volunteerwv.org.

Businesses in Wheeling Invited to Attend Free Luncheon

Wheeling, W.Va. - Businesses, organizations and individuals in the Wheeling area have an opportunity to gain insight on the importance of volunteerism as a key business strategy by attending the upcoming Wheeling Business Volunteerism Luncheon on Tuesday, March 23, 2010 at Wheeling Jesuit University.

First Lady Gayle Manchin, along with state and local representatives, will address the significance of corporate community involvement as a means of moving West Virginia’s communities forward. Local businesses will speak about the role and worth of volunteerism in their companies. The luncheon is an initiative of the West Virginia Business Volunteer Council and is planned locally with support from the Wheeling Chamber of Commerce and Wheeling Jesuit University.  The meeting and luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.  The luncheon is provided to participants at no cost. BVC initiatives are sponsored by Verizon, Dominion, Allegheny Energy, AEP Appalachian Power and local corporate sponsors. 

            Marketing research has shown the public image benefits of volunteerism are priceless for business. Communities thrive when every sector – government, private, and nonprofit – does its part, making communities better places to live, work, and do business.

            Those interested in attending are encouraged to RSVP by March 19 by contacting the Wheeling Area Chamber of Commerce at (304) 233-2575, or LMullin@wheelingchamber.com.  For more information, please contact Emily Schoen at (304) 558-0111, emily.r.schoen@wv.gov, or visit www.volunteerwv.org.

 

          The West Virginia Business Volunteer Council (BVC) is a statewide initiative open to all private sector businesses, labor organizations, nonprofit organizations, and business and professional associations. The BVC is the way for the private sector to join government and non-profits in building a better West Virginia through volunteer service. The BVC is a primary resource for encouraging, educating, and connecting businesses that support employee volunteer programs as a business strategy.

 

The BVC is a program of Volunteer West Virginia, the state’s Commission for National and Community Service, which provides critical administrative resources, guidance, and support, in addition to access to hundreds of non-profit agencies in the Mountain State through www.volunteerwv.org. To learn more about the West Virginia Business Volunteer Council, visit www.volunteerwv.org.

 

 

Make a Difference Day 2009

Join statewide volunteers on Saturday, October 24 to celebrate Make a Difference Day!

Make a Difference Day reflects the power that volunteers have to “inspire by example” — volunteers both encourage those they help and motivate others to serve! Find out how you, too, can participate in the day’s many offerings. This special day offers opportunities to serve in many West Virginia communities.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to volunteer, visit www.volunteerwv.org to find an opportunity that matches your interests and geographic location!

See what some programs in West Virginia are doing this week:

LifeBridge AmeriCorps - In honor of Make A Difference Day, LifeBridge members in the Morgantown area will work with the United Way to facilitate home repairs for Community Repair Partners of Monongalia and Preston Counties. The group is working in conjunction with the WVU Center for Civic Engagement, who recruited WVU students as volunteers for the home repair projects. They will be installing a garage door on an elderly woman’s home for weatherization, providing a clean-up service to another elderly woman’s home, and installing new floors in a handicapped, elderly woman’s home. LifeBridge AmeriCorps members are also collecting food items to donate to food pantries statewide. To donate food in your area or to learn more about Make a Difference Day projects through LifeBridge AmeriCorps, contact Betsy Southall at (304) 340-3519.
Appalachian Forest Heritage Area - The Monongahela National Forest, Mountain State Grotto caving group, and Appalachian Forest Heritage Area AmeriCorps members are joining forces to clean up the Pink Helictite Cave sinkhole. Pink Helictite Cave has its entrance at the base of the sinkhole west of Durbin.  The sinkhole had been used as a dump for many years. Sinkholes are directly related to groundwater quality. At Pink Helictite Cave sinkhole, water enters the cave from a spring that pours over the limestone cliff on one side of the sinkhole, and from overland run off that passes through the sinkhole. With the sinkhole filled with household trash, this water carries pollutants into the area’s karst groundwater system.  This Make a Difference Day project will help clean out the trash to protect groundwater quality. Volunteers from the community are urged to participate in this Make a Difference Day project. Meet at 9 am Saturday, October 24 in the parking lot behind the Monongahela National Forest headquarters at 200 Sycamore St. Elkins, WV to carpool to the Pink Helictite cave sinkhole cleanup. For Pocahontas County, volunteers can meet at the Marlinton Ranger Office by 9 am. Wear sturdy shoes, dress for the weather, and bring a lunch.  Trash bags and gloves will be provided. For directions to meet directly at the site, or for more information, see www.appalachianforest.us/volunteerism or call Linda Tracy, US Forest Service at work (304) 636 1800, ext 275.
Project FLOW (Future Leaders of Watersheds) - See what West Virginia’s youth are doing to serve their communities while learning about watershed health. Contact Sherry Swint at (304) 558-0111 for details.
Southern Appalachian Labor School - Members of the SALS (Southern Appalachian Labor School) organization will be repairing a porch for an elderly lady in the Oak Hill region. In addition, After School kids and a coordinator will visit the elderly and      help them make crafts and read books. Care packages will be given to community members and SALS staff and other volunteers from Tennessee participated as volunteers for Bridge Day on October 17. For more information or to get involved, please contact SALS by emailing bx35222@citynet.net.
Jobs for a Stronger Ohio County - AmeriCorps members and volunteers will be working on community gardens, housing rehabilitations, building clean-up, and assisting the Catholic Neighborhood Center. For more information on how to participate, contact Rev. Fran Lane-Lawrence at (304) 232-2630.
USA Weekend Magazine and the Entertainment Industry Foundation are joining forces for Make a Difference Day this year. Through October, entertainers have written essays about why they support the “I Participate” initiative. Visit www.iparticipateusa.org to read these essays.

Want to know more about Make a Difference Day?
Visit the USA Weekend web site for more information.