The Internet – your source of games, research, worldwide electronic mail and…volunteer opportunities?
Yes, for those of you who enjoy surfing the Net, the Volunteer Center now has its own wave.
This summer, the Volunteer Center made its entry into cyberspace and introduced its home page on the World Wide Web. You’ll find us at http://www.pic.net/vc/. (That final period is not part of our address.)
The site, sponsored by Texas Instruments, features a wealth of information for anyone who wants to know more about volunteering in Dallas County. You’ll learn about the history of the Volunteer Center – we celebrate 25 years in 1996 – and find out what to think about before you volunteer.
But Wait! There’s more…
The “Top Ten (+1) List” includes current volunteer opportunities, which are updated weekly. One week, the SPCA may need volunteers to work in its gift-wrapping store at NorthPark Center, and another week, Juliette Fowler Homes may need volunteers to serve a Thanksgiving meal to senior citizens.
“The weekly highlights are the most up-to-date needs of the nonprofit agencies we serve,” says Cherry Frye, agency relations director of the Volunteer Center. “Agencies call us, and we place their volunteer requests on this list.”
The AT&T Nonprofit Gallery is another helpful tool on the Volunteer Center’s Web page. Inside the gallery, you can search for a volunteer job by cause and location. If you want to help abused children close to your home, you’ll find the names, phone numbers and volunteer needs of appropriate agencies.
Some people prefer volunteering at walk-a-thons, races, carnivals and other one-day events. The Special Events list will tell you which events are scheduled and what volunteers can do to help. Because these events often require hundreds of volunteers, they are ideal for service, organizations, companies, schools and other groups.
One of the Volunteer Center’s most popular publications is “Holiday Harvest”, and annual booklet featuring the holiday volunteer needs of more than 150 nonprofit agencies. While the books are available free at local library branches, the entire publication also is available on the Volunteer Center’s Web site.
You can browse through the listing or download and print your own copy of “Holiday Harvest”. The booklet will tell you which agencies need volunteers to adopt families, serve meals, wrap gifts and sort toys. It also includes the holiday “wish lists” of these agencies so you’ll know where to deliver your used clothing, canned food and other goods you want to donate.
“We hope people will utilize the Web page to explore the volunteer opportunities available to them,” says Julie Thomas, executive director of the Volunteer Center.
“Many people don’t realize the immense needs in our community and how easy it is to make a difference.”
So please, check out the Volunteer Center’s home page at http://www.pic.net/vc/. And when you do, see if you can find the answer to the following question. The first three people who answer it correctly will receive fabulous prizes from the Volunteer Center. (Keep in mind, we are a nonprofit organization. Don’t expect $1 million!)
Question: Where was the Volunteer Center’s office located after it moved from Downtown, but before it moved to Swiss Avenue?
Send your answers (electronically, of course) to the Volunteer Center at vc@ix.netcom.com, along with your name, address and phone number. We look forward to hearing from you and welcome your comments about our Web site.
The volunteer wave – surf it.
