VCRC leads National Volunteer Week celebration

PRESS RELEASE DATE: APRIL 18, 2006

The United Way Volunteer & Community Resource Center encourages everyone in Martin County to celebrate National Volunteer Week, April 23-29, by thanking the volunteers who help make our community such a wonderful place to live and work.

National Volunteer Week is sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network. As the volunteer center for Martin County, VCRC leads the way in saluting volunteers locally.

“Volunteers perform countless acts of service and are among Martin County’s most valuable assets,” said Carol Hodnett, VCRC director. “National Volunteer Week is the ideal time to honor volunteers and call attention to their tremendous contributions.”

Among the events VCRC has planned for the week:

• Proclamations: VCRC representatives and volunteers will be on hand for proclamation ceremonies during commission meetings for the City of Stuart on April 24 and the Martin County Board of County Commissioners on April 25.

• “Signs Across Martin”: VCRC has requested businesses with marquees to post messages thanking volunteers for their service.

• Certification: On April 24, VCRC will host a lunch for recipients of the Florida Volunteer Administration Certification. Volunteer managers from the following organizations will receive their certificate of achievement: Boys & Girls Clubs, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Council on Aging, Martin County Administration, Indiantown Non-Profit Housing, and Hibiscus Children's Center. Meanwhile, the next round of certification training is ongoing. The six-module certification program is designed to enhance the skills of individuals who manage volunteers, thereby promoting high-quality service delivery to volunteers and clients.

• Agency fair: VCRC has helped organize an agency fair at St. Michael’s Independent School on April 26. The effort is designed to show eighth- and ninth-graders the volunteer opportunities available to them throughout their community.

VCRC already has held its annual recognition luncheons for the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program, made up of volunteers 55 and better. RSVP volunteers use their skills and experience to tackle some of the biggest problems in our community. For example, they help police protect their neighbors, mentor and tutor young people, deliver meals to the hungry, serve as tour guides, entertainers, advisers and aides, and give their time to countless other worthwhile activities.

“There are nearly 1,000 volunteers 55 and better who are registered with RSVP in Martin County, and last year they reported 72,300 hours of service,” Ms. Hodnett said. “The value of their service is estimated at more than a million dollars. That’s a tremendous impact on the people and agencies of Martin County.”

ABOUT NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK

The theme of National Volunteer Week is “Inspire By Example,” which reflects the power volunteers have to inspire the people they help and to inspire others to serve.

National Volunteer Week began in 1974 when President Richard Nixon signed an executive order establishing an annual celebration of volunteering. Every president since has signed a proclamation promoting the week.

“We hope that National Volunteer Week will motivate others to volunteer their time and talent to help our country’s most vulnerable residents – the homeless, the hungry, the elderly, at-risk youth, and the disabled,” said Robert Goodwin, president and chief executive officer of the Points of Light Foundation.

ABOUT VCRC

The United Way Volunteer & Community Resource Center engages people of all ages and backgrounds in volunteer service that enriches the individual and strengthens the community.

Its many local projects include the White Doves Holiday Project, the School Supplies for Students Drive, disaster services, the Florida Volunteer Administration Certification training course, and the Retired and Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP). It also works with more than 100 nonprofit agencies, schools, libraries, civic and faith-based organizations countywide, placing and supporting volunteers.

For more information, to volunteer or to make a donation, please call (772) 220-4472 or visit www.martinvolunteers.org.