Welcome to National Volunteer Month! You guys should know by now that I don’t need a designated month to discuss the importance of serving our communities but I’ll take any platform that I can get. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported in February that over 64 million people volunteered with at least one organization between September 2010 and September 2011. And, of those volunteers, the average person served over 50 hours. You shouldn’t need [...]
Today is January 4th, otherwise known as my mother’s birthday and my deadline for completing my 53-hour service challenge. Well, the GREAT news is that in 3 weeks, I was able to log 43 hours of community service (yay!), but I didn’t hit my goal of 53 (not-so-yay). However, I am not a quitter so I’m extending my challenge through MLK Weekend which is perfect because Chicago Cares is hosting their annual MLK Serve-a-Thon on [...]
Happy Monday, folks! Did you all have a great weekend? I had a great Saturday with a not-so-great Sunday thanks to a nagging cold and an agonizing Bears loss. But, it’s all good today. It’s a sunny 40 degrees in Chicago, which we will definitely take considering that it’s the middle of December! On Saturday, I participated in two service projects which I discovered on the Chicago Cares website. The first was Birthday Bingo at [...]
Last week, I announced that I am challenging myself to clock 53 hours of community service between now and Wednesday, January 4th. Everyone was incredibly supportive, but many wondered why. Well, it’s no secret that I lost my mother in 2008 after a long bout with multiple sclerosis. On January 4, 2012, she would’ve turned 53 so there’s the reasoning behind that. My mother loved to help others. She tutored foster kids when we were [...]
Summertime always turns me into one happy camper, especially after surviving the long Chicago winter. With the warmer weather comes plenty of opportunities to have fun outdoors, but it’s also a good time to look into volunteer opportunities off the beaten path. Here are four fun volunteer projects to help you have a “Summer of Service.” 1. Tend to a community garden. Even if you can’t keep a houseplant alive, you can redeem yourself tending [...]
This morning while researching new 2011 volunteer opps for me, I came across this quiz on Oprah.com asking “What Kind of Volunteer Are You?” The goal is to tell you which types of volunteer opportunities you would be most suited for. Intrigued, I went through the questions eager to find out where I would end up. After five brief questions, I found myself tied between two categories: New-Breed Volunteer and Untapped Volunteer. Loved the titles…But, [...]
Tomorrow night, The Red Pump Project (along with over 25 other nonprofits) will be participating in Yelp Helps, a party where we tell people why our organization is cool, what we’re up to in the community, and how they can volunteer with us! This isn’t just your regular non-profit fair…There will be cocktails, food, and a DJ. Fun, fun, fun! Unfortunately, all RSVPs for the event are full. But, if you’re attending, then I will [...]
This past Saturday, I joined over 1000 Chicago volunteers to participate in the 17th Annual Chicago Cares Serve-a-Thon. Year after year, this event gathers teams of do-gooders for a day of beautifying schools across the city. Chicago is one of the most poorly funded school districts in the US, so things like painting are often seen as extras that can’t be afforded. I teamed up with my great friend, Brian, who put together “Team Sleet.” [...]
I love, love, LOVE watching Extreme Makeover: Home Edition. I usually just like to watch the beginning where they discuss the family and then the end when they reveal the new home. It’s not that I don’t enjoy the demolition and the interior design…It’s just that I’d rather immerse myself in the stories of the families. I can’t think of a single episode that hasn’t drawn a few tears out of me. I’m not even [...]
Last year, I decided that I wanted to start doing meetups that combined service with delicious food. I planned the first “A Little Service, A Little Brunch” to happen last summer, but rescheduled because Red Pump was participating in Chicago’s Bud Billiken Parade. Can you believe that it has taken me almost an entire year to plan the rain check? *sigh* Anyways, here are the details! On Saturday, May 1st, I’m asking my Chicago friends [...]
