July 2010 Archives

One Time/Short Term Volunteer Opportunities:

A Duck Race
The Great Neighbors' Mississippi River Duck Race is Neighbors' annual volunteer fundraiser event in South St Paul on September 18.  The event features the duck race, carnival games, blow-up moon jumps, great food, entertainment, a duck store, a raffle and more.  Responsible and detail oriented volunteers are needed, must be 18 or older.
 
Weeding Wednesday

Help slay maniacal weeds overtaking newly planted trees.  Tree Trust has opportunities in various Twin Cities locations from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesdays during the spring and summer.  Every week, Tree Trust staff will provide a brief training at the beginning of the event and be present to answer your questions throughout the evening.

Volunteer Opportunities With Youth:

Study Buddy

Study Buddies is a youth mentoring and academic support program that provides one on one mentoring and academic assistance to school age residents of CommonBond Communities of St Paul.  Make an impact by helping with their schoolwork - and being a good role model.  Available at communities throughout the Metro area and Greater Minnesota.
 
Summer Breakfast Buddy

Be the first friendly face the children see in the morning by welcoming them and serving breakfast one day (or more) a week between 8:15am - 9:45am at Kaleidoscope Place in Minneapolis.

One to One Volunteer Opportunities:

Clare Buddy
Clare Buddies are paired one-on-one with a resident of Clare Housing in Minneapolis to provide friendship, companionship and time to explore the Twin Cities.  Time commitments vary, schedules determined by you and your buddy.  Requires commitment of at least one visit/month.  Training is required and provided, as well as a valid license and insurance.
 
One on One Mentor

If you enjoy movies, bowling, cars/motorcycles shows, or enjoys sports, or just eating out, or going to the mall. Help Restart Inc clients redefine new skills and socialize with others in the community and gain leadership skills, patience, ability to problem solve. Openings in Minneapolis, Robbinsdale, and Brooklyn Park based on clients needs.

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

Walking Volunteers Needed!
Join Vision Loss Resources Walking Groups on Monday for some 'Mall-Walking' at the Southdale Mall in Edina on Mondays from 9:00 to 11:30am.  This is a great chance to meet new people while getting some exercise and giving back to the community with a flexible schedule.

Small Engine Repair Man

Volunteers needed to assist Hennepin County Corrections Sentence to Service program maintain and repair a fleet of lawn mowing and trimming equipment in Minneapolis.
 
Kitchen Help

Lend a hand and help put together 95 meals on wheels lunches for delivery.  This would include heating meals and bagging cold items.  Assistance needed Monday through Thursday from 9:00-10:30am.  The position is at the West 7th Community Center in St Paul and does not include delivering meals.
 
School Is Out; Family Time Is In!

Spend quality time as a family by volunteering to deliver Meals on Wheels.  Meals on Wheels needs help Monday through Friday at lunchtime to deliver hot, nutritious meals to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.  Volunteer once a week, once a month, or on a schedule that works for you.  There are 40 locations in the Twin Cities.

One Time/Short Term Volunteer Opportunities:

Frontier Volunteers

You will feel like you've stepped back in time when you volunteer at the historical farmstead and Dakotah encampment at the Gibbs Museum in Falcon Heights.  Help the Gibbs Museum upkeep this site by joining other HandsOn Twin Cities volunteers for two hours on Saturday July 24th to do painting, gardening, or a variety of minor repairs.
 
Saturday Bingo

Join HandsOn Twin Cities volunteers in an afternoon of Bingo with residents of Ramsey County Care Center on July 24th!  Help set-up, greet, assist residents during the game, clean-up, and help residents to their rooms following the game. The number of residents playing Bingo depends on the number of volunteers; thus, your help is much needed.
 
Cook It Up

Share your love of cooking with others! Join other HandsOn Twin Cities volunteers as they prepare, cook and serve meals (buffet-style) to residents at Ascension Place in Minneapolis on July 24th.  Ascension Place provides women in crisis or transition with a stable environment and the opportunity to explore options for their future.

Gardening/Landscaping Volunteer Opportunities:

Weeding on Wednesday
Help slay maniacal weeds overtaking newly planted trees.  Tree Trust has opportunities in various Twin Cities locations from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesdays during the spring and summer.  Every week, Tree Trust staff will provide a brief training at the beginning of the event and be present to answer your questions throughout the evening.

Garden Group at BHC

Volunteers are needed to assist with a twice-monthly gardening project at the Benedictine Health Center, a Catholic health care organization in Minneapolis dedicated to providing services with special concern for the poor and powerless.  Meet on the second and fourth Thursday of each month, weather permitting, May through September.

Welcome Home

Since 1967, Model Cities has promoted the social and economic wellbeing of individuals, families and communities in under-served neighborhoods within or adjacent to St. Paul's Enterprise Community.  Volunteers are needed to assist with landscaping projects at Model Cities' housing property in St. Paul and nearby sites.  Second and fourth Saturdays monthly, May through October.

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

Snack Cart Assistant
Distribute snacks to guests at the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis during one of their Ten Best Days of the Bakken event.
 
Birthday Bag Blitz

Any group -- civic, corporate, church, family or friends can hold a Birthday Bag Blitz at your location to provide birthday gift bags for less fortunate children.  Each person brings small new toys for children ages 3-12, then together assemble the bags and deliver them to a nearby shelter or food shelf.
 
Green Activity Assistant

Help to demonstrate and assist visitors in completing an interesting activity involving green energy at the Bakken Museum in Minneapolis.

ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

Undergraduate SEED Award recipients are diverse students who demonstrate impressive achievement and leadership in the area(s) of a) academic performance and/or b) community outreach/activism.  In addition, SEED Award recipients will demonstrate a deep understanding of and commitment to issues of equity, diversity, and social justice through their academic work and/or service to the community.

Six to ten undergraduate SEED Awards, ranging from $1000 to $3000, are awarded each year. (Note: award may affect your financial aid to a certain degree)

Undergraduate SEED Award eligibility:

• Diverse students whose backgrounds and/or identities are underrepresented at the University of Minnesota are eligible.
• Student must be a registered undergraduate student at the University of Minnesota.
• Student must be a full-time junior or senior, having completed a minimum of 60 credits or four semesters of coursework at the University of Minnesota.
• Student must have a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA.

Application process:

• The SEED Award application period opens on June 20, 2010. 
• Award applications are due Monday, September 27, 2010.
• A complete application packet consists of:
• The SEED Award application cover sheet, available on the SEED Awards web site;
• An official University of Minnesota transcript;
• A resume (2-page maximum);
• Two letters of recommendation. One letter of recommendation must be completed by a University of Minnesota faculty or instructor familiar with the student's academic work. The second letter of recommendation may be completed by a second University of Minnesota faculty member, or by a University of Minnesota staff member or member of the external community who is familiar with the student's community activism or outreach activities.
• A 500-word typed essay

The new Volunteering in America report shows that volunteer rates are on the rise!  People responded to the worst economic downturn since WWII by reaching out their hands to help their neighbors and their communities. Although many analysts expected to see the country's crime rate rise dramatically, and the spirit of unity fade, we posted the highest volunteer involvement recorded since 2003. More than 63 million people volunteered in 2009, an increase of almost 1.6 million. Volunteer service in 2009 was valued at more than $169 billion.

 
The top five large cities for volunteering rates were Minneapolis-St. Paul, Portland, Salt Lake City; Seattle, and Oklahoma City. The top five states were: Utah, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, and Alaska. For the fourth year in a row, Minneapolis-St. Paul ranks #1 for volunteerism in the nation!

Thanks to all of the Deans' Scholars who volunteered this year!

Physically Active Volunteer Opportunities:

Walking Volunteers Needed!
Join Vision Loss Resources Walking Groups on Monday for some 'Mall-Walking' at the Southdale Mall in Edina on Mondays from 9:00 to 11:30am.  This is a great chance to meet new people while getting some exercise and giving back to the community with a flexible schedule.
 
Weeding Wednesday

Help slay maniacal weeds overtaking newly planted trees.  Tree Trust has opportunities in various Twin Cities locations from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Wednesdays during the spring and summer.  Every week, Tree Trust staff will provide a brief training at the beginning of the event and be present to answer your questions throughout the evening.
 
Outing Driver

At least once a week clients at Salvation Army Twin Cities Adult Day Center in Maplewood may go on a show, program or museum.  As a volunteer, you would be an extra set of eyes to make sure everyone is accounted for, and you could help walk with clients or push wheelchairs.  Outings take 4 hours and occur M-F during the day.

One Time/Short Term Volunteer Opportunities:

Target Arts and Wonder with the Minnesota Orchestra

WAMSO-Minnesota Orchestra Volunteer Association needs volunteers to assist with Target Arts and Wonder at Orchestra Hall on Saturday, July 17 in Minneapolis!  Volunteers will inform patrons, distribute brochures/information, be a greeter in the Orchestra Hall lobby, assist with general admission seating, and program distribution.  Time commitment is approximately 11am-4pm.
 
House and Garden Tours

10 Best Days of The Bakken coincides with the Minneapolis Aquatennial and begins Friday, July 16 with activities and offers every day through Sunday, July 25.  Give guided tours of the mansion that houses the museum's collections and its gardens!  No previous knowledge is necessary; training provided.   Shifts are available July 18 and 25, 12:45pm-3pm. 
 
Golf Charity Event Volunteers

Perspectives Family Center needs volunteers to help out at a Golf Charity Event.  Various positions including putting gifts together and handing them out, manning golf holes with specific games at them, spotters at holes, and setup and takedown.  Two shifts between 11-5 on July 19th at Minneapolis Golf & Country Club, also need a few volunteers at 10am.

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

Video Production Specialist
Develop video graphic documentation for Goodwill/Easter Seals Minnesota's acclaimed FATHER Project!  Requires thorough knowledge of audio and video graphic editing.  Ability to communicate effectively orally and in writing.  Be able to conduct one-on-one interviews, and ability to capture events and activities accurately.  10-15 hours a month in St Paul.
 
Office Assistant

Help Presbyterian Homes of Arden Hills by entering data into a computer, light filing, and other miscellaneous office tasks.  Flexible project.
 
School Is Out; Family Time Is In!

Spend quality time as a family by volunteering to deliver Meals on Wheels.  Meals on Wheels needs help Monday through Friday at lunchtime to deliver hot, nutritious meals to senior citizens and individuals with disabilities.  Volunteer once a week, once a month, or on a schedule that works for you.  There are 40 locations in the Twin Cities.
 
Donation Drivers

Help Kaleidoscope Place of Minneapolis obtain needed supplies by organizing a donation drive.  They need healthy snacks and beverages, culturally specific children's books, cleaning supplies, arts and crafts materials, and clothing and underwear.  An easy way to coordinate a drive it to ask family, friends, and colleagues to bring an item to the next event you may be organizing or hosting.