Hands On Inland Empire

January 2007

HOT Projects for Cool Volunteers.

Here are some exciting new projects where we could really use your help! Great opportunities for groups!

Arts & Crafts Extravaganza
This Wednesday!!!!

January 31
4:00 - 9 p.m.

20 more volunteers needed!

Inland Empire United Way has been presented with an exciting opportunity to receive an estimated 60 pallets of arts and crafts products to support our volunteer projects and the KidSmart School Tools program!

On January 31, the SHOPA Kids In Need Foundation has invited us to collect and receive all of the surplus products left from the Craft & Hobby Association (CHA) Winter Convention and Trade Show at the Anaheim Convention Center. This is the world's largest craft industry exhibition, with 3,500 booths and 20,000 visitors.

When the show ends on the afternoon of the 31st, we'll need 30-40 volunteers to help us gather and pack up the product. We’ll be wheeling shopping carts around the show floor, picking up donations, stacking it onto palettes, and then SHOPA will load and ship the product back to our warehouse. We are looking for employee groups, college students, service clubs, friends and family to help with this process.

These donations will directly benefit local teachers and their students. Ideally we’d like people to be available from 4 pm – 9 pm, but we also welcome people who can only come for a part of that time.

Sign up now if you can attend, and email the Project Leader if you cannot be available for the full five hours. When you sign-up you'll receive info about carpools leaving from Rancho Cucamonga or tell you how and where to meet us in Anaheim.

Volunteers must be at least 16 years of age. Volunteers under the age of 18 must be accompanied by a parent.

Click here to sign up!

Massive Book Distribution to Help Kids!
February 12 - 15

9 am - 12:30 pm
12:30 pm - 4 pm

40 volunteers needed at each shift!

First Book is looking for volunteers to help us with the distribution of 270,000 new books to children in cities across the nation from the warehouse of Inland Empire United Way, on Monday, February 12th through Thursday, February 15th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Your help can be a key part of that process!

First Book is an international nonprofit organization with a single mission: to give children from low-income families the opportunity to read and own their first new books. First Book has distributed more than 46 million new books to children in need in hundreds of communities nationwide.

Volunteering at a book distribution is a rewarding experience, and it is also a physical one. Many volunteers do a good deal of lifting or carrying boxes in the warehouse, and you will want to dress accordingly. Even if you are not able to lift boxes and choose instead to undertake other tasks such as greeting recipient groups, labeling boxes, directing traffic, etc., you will still want to dress for a day in a warehouse. Wear sneakers or other closed-toed shoes, and comfortable clothes that can get dirty. Per warehouse rules, all volunteers must be over the age of 18.

Snacks will be provided throughout the day, and lunch will be provided as well. Members of the First Book staff will be at the warehouse on Monday, February 12th through Thursday, February 15th from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tasks for Monday through Wednesday will include organizing space, carrying boxes, staging orders, preparing packages for pick up and shipping, operating the computerized shipping system, and labeling boxes. Tasks on Thursday will include those listed above, as well as helping load books into vehicles for people picking up their books.

We understand that our volunteers sometimes cannot be away from work or other obligations for a full day. We truly appreciate any time you can give. Lots of help is needed, so please spread the word about this great opportunity and feel free to bring friends, coworkers, and family members.

All of these books go to children from low-income families – for some, these may be their first books. By volunteering you will not just be fighting illiteracy, but truly making strides to end it. Thank you again, and we look forward to meeting you!

Click here to sign-up for one or more shifts of this exciting project!

New Project!

Families Helping Families
Saturday, February 10, 9:00 - 11:30 am
Here's a great one for teens and families: We'll be going out once a month to the Loma Linda Ronald McDonald House a keep the house family-friendly and a warm, caring place for families undergoing difficult times, Hands On Inland Empire brings volunteers in once a month to apply some “tender loving care” to the facility to keep things looking nice. The “spring cleaning” we do varies from month to month, but can include gardening, raking, vacuuming, sorting donations, decorating the house or anything else we can do to make this house warm and welcoming. Volunteers must be at least 13 years of age. Click here to sign up yourself or your family.

There's plenty more!!!
Remember to visit our website to browse projects and referral opportunities!

Can We Talk?

Don't forget the launch of our new Citizen Academy, Conversation Cafe. Join us as we explore the issues that shape our community at the first monthly informal and informative conversation. Our goal is to create a forum for thought provoking discussions and an opportunity for open dialogue. It's fun, it's easy and it's interesting! Make new friends and find ways to create positive change in the world we live in!

This month's topic:
What is the media’s role in shaping your ideas and opinions?
In a matter of seconds, most people can mimic a movie or TV character, sing an advertising jingle or change an opinion or idea because of something broadcasted on TV. Join us for a conversation on how the media has influenced you.

Click here to sign up for our first Conversation Cafe on February 7th.