Teacher dedication becomes a motivator

Posted on August 29, 2011 by Hands On Charlotte

[Editor's Note: This blog post is the second in a series of bi-weekly blog posts we'll be featuring from some of our volunteers and volunteer leaders under our "Volunteer Experience" category. This week's post is by Leticia Foster. You can take part in a project like Leticia's and enjoy serving as well by signing up for our 9/11 Week of Service projects today! No orientation or background checks required for projects during this week (unless otherwise noted).]

Volunteers prepare kits for teachers at Classroom Central

I decided to challenge myself to a new project last week. Since relocating, I have volunteered with HandsOn Charlotte for more than a year now and wanted to expand my project horizon. With the upcoming school term around the corner, I felt that it only made sense to help those in the education industry.

HandsOn Charlotte provides volunteering opportunities at Classroom Central at least three times a month. Classroom Central distributes free school supplies to Charlotte-Mecklenburg and surrounding county teachers. A volunteer can choose to either prepare for teachers’ visits — i.e. supply sorting, or assist teachers while they shop. I chose to assist with the warehouse. After a brief orientation and tour of the facility, we began to package booklets for the teachers to use as part of their fall curriculums. Even though this may seem like a small endeavor, we packed almost two pallets worth of materials. This was a great help to Classroom Central given that just days prior they had more than 150 teachers visit their store to shop in one afternoon!

My biggest takeaway from this project was the interaction among volunteers. I was able to interact with individuals from various backgrounds that had a strong affinity to education and teacher dedication. In addition, I was amazed to learn that many teachers purchase necessary supplies for not only themselves but also students out of their own pockets! This is a jaw-dropping fact to learn, given the most recent budget cuts; however, this is a testament to the teachers’ dedication to the community. It is great to be reminded of that dedication our local teachers have for our community’s children.

Classroom Central is an excellent organization here in Charlotte to support. Even if time is of the essence to volunteer at the facility, one can always donate school/office supplies. Donations are accepted at your local Charlotte library as well as through the United States Postal Service. You can leave your donations for the mail courier to pick up and they will deliver to Classroom Central on Monday.

Leticia Foster
Classroom Central volunteer

Pay tribute through service

Posted on August 25, 2011 by Hands On Charlotte

The tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001 triggered varied emotions for Americans, whether it was a sense of sadness, fear, or anger.

But Hands on Charlotte wants to focus on the sentiments on the day after Sept. 11 — the sense of unity and service to others that many Americans decided to put into action.

Join Hands On Charlotte in commemorating the 10th anniversary of Sept. 11 with our 9/11 Week of Service. With about 1,800 volunteer spots around the city, you can find at least one opportunity to volunteer in Charlotte, Concord, or Mooresville that matches your interests and schedule between Sept. 6 and Sept. 11, 2011. We want to take this week as a reminder of what can be accomplished when we set out to serve ourselves and others.

While you typically have to attend an orientation and complete a background check to volunteer through Hands On Charlotte, for the week of 9/11, all projects that contain the tag: 9/11 Week of Service, listed on our Website, are exempt.

Now is your opportunity to join others in voluntary service to address the challenges in your communities. We have a wide range of opportunities listed from helping to build homes for low-income residents to working with adults with autism to packaging food for the hungry and much more. Your contributions truly make an impact on the people you serve, and these non-profits would not be able to continue their services without you. The effort you put forth during your work on these projects will not be wasted — your time, energy, and resources are crucial for creating positive changes in not only the lives of others but the communities you and your families live in and are a part of.

So, don’t wait any longer. Go to our 9/11 Week of Service Special Events page and sign up for a project (or several) today. Encourage your friends and family to register as well, as we all come together to commemorate this 10th anniversary. Download our avatar from the Special Events page for your Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn profile accounts. Go here to tell us how you’re paying tribute during the week of 9/11. If you have any comments, questions, or suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact us through this blog or send me an e-mail. Keep up to date on our activities by following us on Twitter @HandsOnCLT or liking our fan page on Facebook “Hands On Charlotte.”

And keep checking back here for more in the coming weeks about Hands On Charlotte’s volunteers’ experiences in serving and more.

Saja Hindi
saja@handsoncharlotte.org

Volunteer Experience: Service makes getting up in the mornings easier

Posted on August 12, 2011 by Hands On Charlotte

[Editor's Note: This blog post is a first of bi-weekly blog posts we'll be featuring from some of our volunteers and volunteer leaders under our "Volunteer Experience" category. This month's post is by Sean Leto.]

There are so many things Hands on Charlotte does well. The organization’s entire model gives people a chance to get involved in everything from Bingo to mountain biking with the flexibility to fit your hectic schedule. However, the one project that always stands above the rest (for me) is its GED/ABE tutoring project.

Education is something I see many people striving for — people looking to obtain an education to get better jobs, to create a brighter future, or, just simply, to learn to read to improve their daily lives. This is where Hands on Charlotte’s partnership with Central Piedmont Community College’s GED/ABE project helps. The GED project is there to match volunteers with people, to help tutor non-traditional students (ages 18-70) with anything from math to English. The best part about this Hands On project and what really sets it apart is the individual time you get to spend with each person. It isn’t a class or a group but “one-on-one” time that helps you really learn about the person you are working with.

This past Thursday, my time was spent with a brilliant girl named Kayla. Kayla is studying to get her GED and to work to conquer the English language. What made this session rewarding was watching Kayla solve her first problem by herself. It was a moment that really made me say, “Wow… this person is smarter than she knows.” It was when her smile lit up and I knew she never needed me in the first place. She just needed someone to be there to give her the confidence to try. It can’t completely be described — it is something that needs to be experienced. I am just grateful for the experience.

Every day, you get up for work, you hear the noise of the alarm clock, and you know very little will change in your life. For me, the alarm clock is like music to my ears because I know at the end of the day, I will be spending my time helping someone better his or her life. Maybe you can’t change the world in one hour, but, with Hands On Charlotte, at least I feel like I am making some difference. Thank you HOC and thank you Kayla — it is nice to be part of something that just seems to keep getting better.

Sean Leto
HOC Volunteer

Tutor works with GED student as a part of CPCC's GED/ABE program, in partnership with Hands On Charlotte. Photo Courtesy: www.cpcc.edu

Volunteering is contagious

Posted on August 11, 2011 by Hands On Charlotte

I was reminded yesterday, again, of the impact of a few driven individuals who volunteer their time for the betterment of their communities.

My name is Saja Hindi and I’m the new AmeriCorps VISTA volunteer for Hands On Charlotte for the next few months, and I’m really excited to hit the ground running. I’ll be working on outreach projects and posting to this blog and other social media sites to help you learn more about us…and help us learn more about you!

I had the privilege of meeting most of the Hands On Charlotte staff members these past couple of days. They are some very talented people, committed to “strengthening and enriching lives” and mobilizing a diverse corps of volunteers, as the mission statement of Hands On Charlotte states.

I also had the opportunity to attend one of the service events, in partnership with the Crisis Assistance Ministry. Volunteers sorted through and hung clothes for the organization’s free store, available to those in need, so they can instead spend valuable money on rent and other expenses. Several of the volunteers had donated their time to doing this before, and their enthusiasm was contagious. As one of the organizers said in the introductory orientation, “why not come do something for others that you’re going to be doing at home anyway?” And he’s right — taking a little bit of time out of your day to do something for another person you would do for yourself or hope someone else would if you needed it is not only rewarding but a step to bettering the community you live in. Each individual can have an impact, and once it becomes a constant part of your life and you see the difference organizations you’ve worked with are making in others’ lives, you won’t be able to imagine not giving back.

So, I look forward to continuing to meet more of you at our service events and hope to hear from you to let us know how we can better serve you.

Saja Hindi
saja@handsoncharlotte.org

PHOTO: Another successful BIG Project!

Posted on August 1, 2011 by Hands On Charlotte

Thank you to everyone who braved the heat on Saturday to help us spruce up McAlpine Elementary’s courtyard. It is truly impressive to see how much we were able to accomplish after 3 hours in the heat!