Saturday, June 28, 2008

Volunteer opportunities

VOLUNTEER SIGN UP SHEET

We go through day-to-day without realizing how much we owe to many nameless faceless people, collectively called volunteers. They help and touch our lives unbeknownst to us and without a charge. We can never repay them individually, but we can honor them by extending their services by volunteering ourselves. The gift of time is more personal than the gift of money. To begin with please commit two hours a week to serve others, especially the people we don't know. It will enrich our lives with a personal satisfaction deeper than pleasures of material things.

The purity of service and the un-adulterated joy becomes a reality when we serve humanity for the sake of humanity, without regard to race, religion, ethnicity or culture that erect artificial barriers amongst us. Selfless volunteering makes us worthy of God given blessings of joy and peace.

If you wish to volunteer for the following organizations, please check the box.

[ ] Senior Adult Services For 30 years Senior Adult Services has assisted seniors and their caregivers with information, meals, transportation, home repairs and medical equipment—practical solutions to many of the common challenges of aging. Last year 395 volunteers gave 16,752 hours to help seniors live better. Volunteers may choose a regular schedule or do specials projects, but either way they both enrich the lives of seniors and enjoy experiences that are challenging and fulfilling. Gayle at 972-242-4464 or go to www.senioradultservices.org for more information.

[ ] www.metrocrestsocialservices.org. You are invited to volunteer in Metrocrest Social Services' Thanksgiving food distribution program on Sunday, Nov. 23. Volunteers 16 years old and older are needed either 1-2:30 p.m. or 2:30-4 p.m.; to sign up, please contact Dana Wilson at 972-446-2100, ext.19 or dwilson@metrocrestsocialservices.org. Other volunteer opportunities are available on Metrocrest's website. This is to honor Najma for her volunteerism.

[ ] Dallas Peace Center The mission of the Dallas Peace Center is based on a vision of reconciliation: to promote education, dialogue and action for peace and justice. Those interested in volunteering may contact Daniel at office@dallaspeacecenter.org or call 214-823-7793.

[ ] Keep Carrollton Beautiful is a catalyst and community liaison making Carrollton a cleaner and more beautiful place. We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit, dedicated to empower Carrollton to enhance our community environment.
Since 2004, we have held 48 public events utilizing 5,150 volunteers. Our programs funnel energy and money into community improvement in partnership with Carrollton’s public, private and civic groups. Our leadership is a volunteer Board who work in all aspects of the community.

[ ] Jobs with Justice is a coalition of union, church, civil rights, student, and community activists. We meet at 7 PM each 2nd Wednesday in the basement of Oak Cliff Methodist Church, 547 E. Jefferson in Dallas. Our web page is www.labordallas.org, where one can find recent and upcoming activities.

[ ] Al-Shifa Medical Clinic/Domestic Violence Program: The clinic provides free medical services to uninsured residents of Dallas-Ft Worth. It is located on 7600 Glenview Dr, Richland Hills, TX 76180. The clinic is open on weekends between 9 am to 12:30 pm. We provide services irrespective of color, creed, religion, or ethnicity. The clinic needs volunteers during the weekdays to set up appointments, and on Sunday, to assist in office work. We also need help in our domestic violence program assisting the Program Director on various tasks. Talaun Thompson, - MCC for Human Services at 817-589-9165

[ ] Foundation for Pluralism Our mission is to encourage individuals to develop an open mind and an open heart toward their follow beings. If we can learn to accept and respect the God given uniqueness of each one of the 7 billion of us, then conflicts fade and solutions emerge. We believe that knowledge leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance and appreciation of a different point of view. Through workshops, seminars and conferences we hope to create a culture of acceptance of others. Mike Ghouse – Mike@FoundationforPluralism.com


YOUR NAME : ____________________EMAIL: _________________
PHONE (H) : _____________________CELL : __________________
ADDRESS: ______________________
CITY : _____________ZIP: ____________

Thank you.

Monday, June 9, 2008

Teen Advisory Receives Scholarships

Immediate Release:
June 6, 2008

Contact: Sharon Goddard, Founder and Executive Director
972.466.2121, sharonsdivinenature@yahoo.com

Teen Advisory Board Receives Scholarships Carrollton – Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s Teen Advisory Board graduating members received college scholarships for their volunteer efforts. They are the leaders of Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s community service volunteers at the high schools.

“Without our Teen Advisory Board members, we would not have nearly as much high school participation,” said Sharon Goddard, Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s executive director. “Even with all their other activities, they are some of our best volunteers.”

Each member keeps up with all Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s events and volunteer opportunities; meets with all the service organizations in their schools to let them know about the next event; and encourages participation especially in the “high school only” opportunities such as Texas Recycles Day. In exchange, the Teen Advisory Board members receive support in their interaction with service organizations; an inside look at the workings of a vibrant non-profit; interaction with other Carrollton high schools; lots of community service opportunities; and a college scholarship upon graduation.

Alexander Selby from Turner started volunteering in 2005 during a video project with his media academy and has been active ever since. Alexander has been Keep Carrollton Beautiful’s technical knowledge support and artistic eye on a number of projects - including their Squirrel Brigade video, website pictures, videos of events, a marketing DVD about their programs, and even his Academy of Media Arts & Technology senior project was about Keep Carrollton Beautiful.

Mohammed Dhanjy from Hebron has been a great organizer at his school. All during his senior year, he has shown great perseverance and willingness to make sure we had volunteers from his school for every event. Mehdi has brought assertive, steadfast and thoughtful energy along with his people and communication skills to everything he has done for Keep Carrollton Beautiful.

Each of these young men received scholarships for college during their Senior Walk. They have shown civic pride and community spirit while volunteering for Keep Carrollton Beautiful and have also gotten others involved. Community service as a Teen Advisory Board member is good training for who they will be in the world as adults. Alexander has already been involved in the Technology Honor Society, the Academy of Media Arts & Technology, and the Philharmonic Orchestra and honored as a National Society of High School Scholars. Mehdi has been involved in the Student Council, the Key Club, the National Honor Society and the Hebron Parent/Teacher/Student Assoc.

Keep Carrollton Beautiful has a Teen Advisory Board representative in all Carrollton public high schools and plans to include all the Carrollton private schools this year. Many high schools require community service and Keep Carrollton Beautiful has lots of projects and programs where they can volunteer. Keep Carrollton Beautiful also does “pet peeve” projects to clean up the community where they can design their own projects.

If you are a sophomore or junior at Smith or any private high school in Carrollton and would like to be a Teen Advisory Board representative, please go to your counselor’s office or call 972.466.2121. Keep Carrollton Beautiful has plenty of community service opportunities.

***END***


Thanks for all you do for Carrollton,
Sharon Goddard
Founder and Executive Director
Keep Carrollton Beautiful,
a Gold Star Keep Texas Beautiful Affiliate
972.466.2121 phone and fax
1014 Noble Avenue, Carrollton, Texas 75006
www.keepcarrolltonbeautiful.org
Thanks for being part of Carrollton's Community Connection.