Guest post by Dannon Eubanks, VO Director of Community Engagement
March has always felt like a turning point in the year, with the worst of winter past us, more consistent sunny days, later sunsets, and budding flowers bravely poking their heads out of our lawns.
What we do with these additional hours of golden joy is crucial.
This month we encourage you to put that time to good use and give back to your community.
As you feel that springtime urge to grow with the rest of the world around you, Volunteer Odyssey has lined up some fun ways for you to blossom like your daffodils– and all you have to do is sign up below:
Build the Lucy J's Food Truck
- March 13th from 1PM-4PM
- Since its founding, Lucy J’s Bakery has partnered with the Dorothy Day House to employ DDH residents’ at a living wage. Lucy J’s is in the process of expanding its reach by opening a food truck and they are seeking 3-4 volunteers that have experience with carpentry, woodwork, paneling, installation, and/or electrical wiring to help get the truck going.
- All supplies will be provided, however, it would be helpful if volunteers brought their tools as well.
Sign up here.
FRIENDS FOR LIFE FEAST FOR FRIENDS
- March 14th from 5PM to 8PM
- For more than three decades, Friends For Life has been preventing the spread of HIV and helping those affected by HIV/AIDS live well. Their holistic, client-centered approach provides a variety of services as they strive to address the roots of need—including stigma and inequality—to improve health and wellness for everyone served. One way they achieve their mission is to provide a monthly meal to their clients.
- Volunteers are needed to help decorate, plate, serve, and clean up.
Sign up here.
TUTORING AT SHELBY COUNTY SCHOOLS
- 1 hour slots on the weekdays
- The YMCA is looking for volunteers to work alongside a teacher to help facilitate prepared materials, and guide students in a classroom setting for 1st-8th graders.
- All volunteers will be in a classroom with a classroom teacher who will be able to guide you in your duties. There is flexible scheduling and no experience required.
Sign up here.
YOUTH VILLAGES RUNNER CLUB VIRTUAL TRAINING
- March 17th from 4PM to 5PM
- Youth Villages provides help for children and young people who face a wide range of emotional, mental and behavioral problems. Getting outside and getting active is a crucial, and fun, way to engage their youth. If you are interested in working with youth, love to be active, and want to give back- this opportunity is for you!
Sign up here.
ANDREW CHIEGO DAY OF SERVICE AT OVERTON PARK SHELL
- March 19th from 10AM to 2PM
- In memory of the Shell’s dear friend, Andrew Chiego, the Overton Park Shell has added a new, annual volunteer opportunity to celebrate Spring and the life of Andrew Chiego! The Andrew Chiego Day of Service is a volunteer day that supports ‘greening’ of the Shell in preparation of bringing music back to our historic stage!
Sign up here.
FOOD & CLOTHING OUTREACH AT CATHOLIC CHARITIES OF WEST TN
- March 22nd from 8AM to 10PM
- Because of the pandemic, Catholic Charities cannot allow individuals to come shop for clothing and hygiene items in person
- To help with this, Catholic Charities needs volunteers who can help distribute food, clothing, and supplies to our most vulnerable neighbors. Clients will provide their needs and sizing information allowing the volunteer to put together a bag for them.
Sign up here.
JUST CITY COURT WATCH VOLUNTEER
- Weekdays from 9AM to 12PM
- Just City works to transform local criminal justice policy and practice to ensure it is fair for all people regardless of wealth, race, or ethnicity. Court watch invites community volunteers into courtrooms to observe proceedings that are typically invisible to the general public. Interested volunteers are required to attend orientation before sitting in on court.
Sign up here.
ROOM IN THE INN MEAL SERVERS
- Weekdays from 11:30AM to 12:30PM and 5:30PM to 6:30PM
- Join Room in the Inn’s mission of providing hospitality to those experiencing homelessness by helping the kitchen staff serve meals to campus guests.
- Volunteers are needed for lunch and dinner Monday through Friday. If you are looking for an additional way to get involved, RITI is also in need of prepared casseroles to serve to guests. Volunteers can drop off casseroles during their business hours, or bring one when they volunteer to serve.
Sign up here.
WORLD WATER DAY SERVICE PROJECT at the overton park shell
- March 26th from 10AM to 12PM
World Water Day highlights the importance of our freshwater resources – our rivers, streams, lakes, wetlands, and aquifers.
- Celebrate World Water Day by signing up to participate in the Wolf River Conservancy Pollution Prevention Cleanup along the Wolf River Greenway! To prevent trash from washing into the Wolf River and its tributaries as water pollution, this project will be cleaning up three different locations along the Wolf River Greenway.
Sign up here.