Results tagged “Community Service” from GSSA Leader Blog: The Virtual Volunteer

The Refugee Resettlement Program is the branch of Catholic Social Services created to meet the special needs of refugees. The Mobile Catholic Social Services Refugee Resettlement Program is the only refugee resettlement program in all of Alabama. Their goal  is to make the refugee families feel welcome and to ease their transition into this country. They need the help of generous key people and organizations to assist in welcoming our new neighbors. 

Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama has teamed with Secure the Call to do a unique and worthwhile Forever Green Take Action project. Secure the Call is a volunteer driven non-profit organization which collects old cell phones and reprograms them to use for 911 calls for the elderly and victims of domestic abuse. They are  then distributed in communities through locally based organizations. Last year, Secure the Call  collected over 30,000 unwanted, used cell phones from throughout the United States. These phones were converted to 911 emergency phones and kept out of landfills. Cell phones contain both inert substances and toxic materials which can persist for up to 10,000 years in the environment if not properly discarded. By helping keep these phones out of the trash, Girl Scouts help provide valuable protection to the environment as well as a great service to those who may not otherwise have a way to contact 911 in an emergency.

Troops and individuals may bring used cell phones to the Mobile or Montgomery Service Centers March 1-30. Cell phones will also be collected at "Girl Scouts Rock Mobile!" March 24 during the Eco Fair. 

The Mobile County Public School System would like to have Girl Scout troops participate at the upcoming School Board Meetings. Troops are needed to say  a prayer, present the colors, and lead the Pledge of Allegiance. Meetings are held at Central Office at Halls Ferry and Schillinger Roads at 6:00p.m.

If your troop is interested in performing this service, please contact Mary Anne Brutkiewicz (ext. 1202).

Thank you, volunteer Becky G., for sharing this information on how Girl Scouts can help with storm relief:

Averitt will, free of charge, take donated items to their Birmingham location from six cities in Alabama. If anyone has a logistics need in any of the following areas, they are standing by, ready to help. PLEASE, if you need to contact Averitt, do so by calling the toll free number (800-283-1488) so we don't tie up their local lines and interrupt their daily operational flow.
 
Dothan Averitt Service Center
Service Center Director - Alan Jimmerson
Hours of operation 8 a.m. - 6 p.m. M-F
2951 John D. Odom Road
Dothan, Ala. 36303
Directions:
US 231 South: The Service Center is on the left about 1 mile inside the Dothan city limits. Turn left at the traffic light onto John D. Odom Rd. The Service Center is immediately on the left.
US 231 North: Stay on US 231 North, which becomes Ross Clark Circle and loops around the west side of Dothan. Turn right onto John D. Odom Rd. The Service Center is immediately on the left.
From US 84 West: Stay on US 84 West, which becomes Ross Clark Circle and loops around the north side of Dothan. Turn right onto US 231 North. Turn right onto John D. Odom Rd. The Service Center is immediately on the left.
From US 431 South: Take US 84 West, which becomes Ross Clark Circle and loops around the north side of Dothan. Turn right onto US 231 North. Turn right onto John D. Odom Rd. The Service Center is immediately on the left

Mobile Averitt Service Center
Service Center Director- Jeff Spivey
Hours of operation 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. M - F
5945 Rangeline Rd
Theodore, Alabama 36582
Directions:
From I-10: Take Exit 17 A (SR 193 South / Rangeline Rd.) Go south on SR 193. Cross 3 bridges. Turn right onto Rabbit Creek Rd. Turn left onto service road. Averitt is on the right.

Montgomery Averitt Service Center
Service Center Director- Justin Presley
Hours of operation 8am - 6pm M - F
10406 US Highway 80 East
Montgomery, AL 36117
Directions:
From I-85: Take Mitylene Exit 11 (US 80/ Ryans Rd). Go East on US 80 approximately 2 miles. The Serivce Center is located on the right.
From I-65: Take Exit 171 (I-85 North). Take Mitylene Exit 11 (US 80/ Ryans Rd). Go East on US 80 approximately 2 miles. The Service Center is located on the right.

Opelika Averitt Service Center
Service Center Director - Greg Clark
Hours of operation 8am - 4pm M - F
701 W Point Pkwy
Opelika, AL 36801
Directions:
From Montgomery, AL: Take I-85 North. Take Exit 62 (US 280/Columbus Pkwy). Turn left and cross back over I-85. Turn right onto US 431 (Fox Run Pkwy). Go approximately 1.5 miles to US 29 (W Point Pkwy). Turn right on US 29. The Service Center is 1/4 mile on the right.

Dear Friends,

The last two weeks have been challenging for both our state and some of our communities here in southern Alabama.  Many of you have asked for updates about the area around Kamp Kiwanis and want to know how our sister council in North Alabama weathered the storm. You also have been wanting to help.
 
I am happy to report that the power is back on at Kamp Kiwanis and many of the surrounding areas, and the cleanup effort is in full swing.  Kamp Kiwanis has reopened and will available for all of its planned activities in the coming weeks.  The needs in that area are many, but specific things we are asking for include: water, furniture (many of the trailers being brought in to house families are unfurnished), general household items and clothes.  If you would like to contribute to the relief effort, we will collect items at both service centers and make sure they are delivered to those in need in the Eclectic area.
 
Also, Montgomery's Service Unit 914 is conducting a tornado relief drive at the Montgomery Service Center tomorrow (Saturday, May 7) from 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m.  They will collect non-perishable food items, cleaning items, etc.  

Troop 7238 was already scheduled to host a recycling event at the Opelika Parks and Rec Center on Denson Drive, Sat. May 14 from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. as part of the Junior troop's Bronze Award activity. However, they would like to extend the event to also help collect clean, gently used clothes, toiletries, and school supplies to help tornado victims. Any troop who would like to contribute are invited to come and drop off items during that time. These donations will be sent to the Montgomery office. Monica Frazier, Junior Troop leader and Julie Sosebee, Troop Leader

Please support them if you can!
 
Sadly, Girl Scouts of North-Central Alabama had significant damage in 31 of their 37 counties.  We understand that one Girl Scout lost her life and countless others have seen their homes destroyed.  However, the council will not know the full impact of the damage until power and communication lines are restored throughout their jurisdiction. You can also visit the North-Central Alabama website for details on what you can do to assist them.

Please join us in keeping those affected by the tornadoes in your thoughts during this difficult time.

Karlyn Edmonds
Chief Operating Officer
Girl Scouts of Southern Alabama

Girl Scouts of the USA was the first organization to respond to a national initiative connecting potential volunteers with opportunities to serve military families.

The initiative, announced April 12 by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden, allows interested adults to volunteer with community-based groups whose services are inclusive of military families at www.serve.gov. From that site, potential volunteers are redirected to opportunities and contact information at a council close to them. Girl Scouts' involvement in the initiative is significant; given the significant deployment of military reserves and the National Guard, every council across the United States and overseas serves military families in some way.

Following the recent devastation in Japan, the policy that prohibits Girl Scouts from raising money for other organizations has been temporarily suspended. To contribute to earthquake and tsunami relief efforts, you can make an online donation to the newly established Girl Scouts of Japan Relief Efforts.

A second grade Girl Scout started a blog called 1,000,000 Pennies for Girl Scouts of Japan. Elisabeth (shown right) has decided to start on a journey to try to collect one million pennies, by her birthday in April, to be donated to the Girl Scouts of Japan to aid in their relief efforts. While a million pennies may seem an unreachable goal, half the fun is the journey! Currently, Elisabeth has collected 21,778 pennies! Help her on her way here: penniesforjapangs@yahoo.com.

In Oregon, 50 Girl Scouts in Medford helped fold and link 1,000 paper cranes Saturday night to be sent to Girl Scouts in Japan as a token of friendship. After September 11th, Girl Scouts from Japan sent over strings of 1,000 cranes. In Asian countries the crane is a symbol of happiness, and the act of stringing together exactly 1,000 is a gesture of healing. Fifteen-year-old Girl Scout Cassie P. said it takes about 25 folding steps to make the cranes, but it was well worth it.

We want to know what our Girl Scouts in southern Alabama are doing to help our sister Girl Scouts.  Let us know by commenting here, or e-mail communications@girlscoutssa.org. 

Shannon S. is one of our employees you may not have met personally, but you probably have seen her at council events and assumed she was another volunteer troop leader.  While Shannon is a troop leader, she fills that role as a facilitator in our Mobile Housing Board Community grant program.  Shannon works with girls in the Thomas James complex to ensure that they receive the same Girl Scouting experience as the rest of the girls in our council. 

Tuesday night, there was a fire at Thomas James, and Shannon and her family's apartment was destroyed.  We would like to help Shannon and her girls by hosting a clothing drive.  Any clothing you collect can be delivered to either service center, and we will deliver your donations to her.

Shannon wears an Adult 24W or 3X.  Her shoe size is 10.5 to 11.  Her girls wear a Junior 13/14 and 10, and their shoe sizes are 8.5-9 and 4.
 
We know the Girl Scout community will rally to help a truly amazing woman!

The 2011 Avnet LPGA Classic is coming to the Robert Trent Jones Course, Magnolia Grove from April 28 to May 1.  Join the World's Best Women's Professional golfers along with the best fans around and volunteer for The 2011 Avnet LPGA Classic! 

Volunteers, ages 14 and up, are needed to be Standard Bearers.  The Standard Bearer walks 18 holes with a twosome or threesome of players and carries the sign (the standard) with the players names and score.  Volunteers are needed Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, April 28^th - May 1^st. 

As a volunteer, you will be admitted free.  You will also receive 2 tickets for your family to enjoy the tournament each day that you work.  In addition, you will receive a T-shirt along with a meal voucher on the days that you volunteer.  You will need to provide your own khaki shorts or pants. Here's the volunteer application for you and your older girls. 

I've been watching with interest the progression of the Silver Award project Troop 8442 is working on in Fairhope.   They have partnered with Smart Coast to make their community more pedestrian friendly.   The troop has done some research, doing their homework on how to improve the community they reside in, and on Monday evening, February 28, they made a presentation to the city council that passed.   The plan is the city will install signage and enforce laws that protect pedestrians in crosswalks.   Cori Yonge, the troop leader, reports that everyone in the troop has done something to make this change in their community happen.   Isn't it amazing what a group of determined girls can do?   And isn't is inspirational to see these girls exhibit their leadership to make their community a better, safer place for all?!

The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society is having their 3^rd Annual Bunny Chase 5K and Family Fun Festival Saturday, April 23, from 8 a.m.-12 p.m. at the Medal of Honor Park in Mobile.

They are looking for some older Girl Scouts to help with face painting and hiding Easter eggs. If you or your troop would like to help, please let Erica Bass, programintern@girlscoutssa.org know by Friday, April 15.

 

Girl Scout troops are also invited to register and run in the 5K or 1-Mile Fun Run.  Register online at active.com.

We're so excited about the 3rd annual Thin Mint Sprint, and things just keep getting even better! 

We've already got:

• the new patch program (the deadline to register for the patch program is tomorrow, February 18!)
• you can recycle old tennis shoes, thanks to Baldwin Bone and Joint, P.C.
• Azalea City DJ's Step Daddy will be there to entertain
• troops will be leading crafts, selling cookies, and being Thin Mint cheerleaders
• various health screenings and safety activities led by city personnel
• The troop with the most race entries will win a troop award
  

And now, to top it all off, the Museum of Art is having a family friendly Mardi Gras event.  In case you're not familiar with the area, the museum is in Langan Park, where the Thin Mint Sprint is held.  So, after the health expo/awards ceremony is over, you can walk on over to even more (and FREE) fun!

The event will include Mardi Gras inspired art activities, ballroom dancing, music, refreshments, Mardi Gras inspired short plays, and more.

This is really shaping up to be a great day at Langan Park.  Will you be there?

Have you ever looked at the birds in your backyard, maybe even counted them?  Then you are all set to be a citizen-scientist and participate in the Great Backyard Bird Count during Feb 18-21.  All it takes is to spend 15 minutes tallying the different birds in your yard, neighborhood or other location sometime during the days of the Bird Count.  Then go to www.birdcount.org and enter the highest number of each type of bird you saw.

How does this help science?  When lots of people all over the country participate, we get a look at how bird populations change in number and location.  Scientists use this information to monitor bird health and migrations.

This could be a fun activity for a troop meeting, a family, or just time relaxing by yourself in the backyard.  More information  can be found at www.birdcount.org

Help make a difference for kids in need

Montgomery's new One Place Family Justice Center, which helps victims of domestic violence (mostly women and children) during the critical time immediately after they seek a safe haven after becoming victims of crime, is requesting donations of new or gently used stuffed animals and books for its special children's room where kids can stay while their parent is seeking assistance.  The center has a goal that no child will leave without a something special to take with them and has asked Girl Scouts to assist in the collection effort.
 
Our girls have been eager to support the success of One Place, and one troop even decorated a beautiful Christmas tree for the children's room. If you or your troop would like to help, you may drop off your items at either the Montgomery or Mobile Service Centers.  They will be greatly appreciated by One Place and the children it serves.

Serve your community and have fun learning about visual art! The Mobile Museum of Art has some great volunteer opportunities for Girl Scouts, ages 14 and up.

The museum welcomes courteous and enthusiastic youth to assist with museum and community events. Check out these upcoming opportunities and sign up today!

·       Birthday Buddies: one volunteer per party to help children with an art activity during the Masterpiece Birthday Party (held on Saturdays and Sundays); parties last for 1.5 hours, total volunteer time averages 2.5 hours.

·       Art Club Assistants: once-a-month activities sponsored by the Mobile Public Library, from 4-5 p.m.; Toulminville Branch activities are on Wednesday afternoons and the Ben May Branch activities are on Thursday afternoons.

·       Mardi Gras Festival: Saturday, February 26, 2011, at the Mobile Museum of Art.

·       Festival of Flowers: Saturday, March 26 and Sunday, March 27, 2011, at Providence Hospital.

·       Arts Alive: Saturday, April 9, 2011, at the Mobile Museum of Art.

·       Earth Day Celebration: Saturday, April 23, 2011.

·       Summer Art Blast Camp: Summer, 2011.

For more information on these exciting volunteer opportunities, contact Gail McCain, Volunteer Coordinator for the Mobile Museum of Art, at (251) 208-5211 or gail.mccain@mobilemuseumofart.com.

Airbus Engineering is looking for an older girl troop to help with an event. They  are hosting a Breakfast With Santa Saturday, December 11, from 8 a.m.-- noon at the Battlehouse in downtown Mobile. They would like six to 12 volunteers 12 years and older who like to work with children to come and help with crafts. If your troop is interested, please contact Rose-Marie Waters at 251-434-7301.

It's time for the annual Cans for Cash™ City Recycling Challenge!

This national recycling competition runs from October 1 - October 31. All you have to do is save and recycle your aluminum cans to help your city win! A total of $70,000 in prize money can be won in categories ranging from Most Cans Collected to Most Innovative Ideas, as well as the American Video Recycler Award.

Get your girls together and grab up some cans!  This is the perfect opportunity to teach your Girl Scout troop about the benefits of recycling and how it conserves our natural resources. You could get the Recycling Rocks fun patch, too! Help girls collect used cans from family and friends to donate to your city while educating them on global sustainability efforts.

The cities in our council participating are: Montgomery, Mobile and Daphne. 

For fun recycling facts and games to share with your Girl Scout troop, visit http://www.kidsbegreen.org/.

The Dog River Clearwater Revival (DRCR) is looking for Girl Scout volunteers to participate in a fun community service project to protect Dog River and other waterways from being polluted. The goal of the DRCR is to educate the public about storm drains and their role in keeping pollution out of our waterways.

Their storm drain marker project consists of volunteers gluing small markers onto storm drains that read "No Dumping -Drains to River or Bay". It is simple, and can be done at your troop's convenience. The DRCR will provide all of the needed materials and assign troops to a specific community. This is a great opportunity for girls to help the community and environment while learning valuable lessons about the importance of preserving our waterways. If your troop is interested, please contact Janet Miller, 251-654-1827. Visit their website, www.dogriver.org, for more information.