Author: lakehillprep

Week 42.Voice of Hope

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October 15, 2018

Our Community Connections students at Lakehill Preparatory School and I have been volunteering with Voice of Hope for several years. Spending a day with the children they serve is always a highlight of our Middle School Community Connections camp. Our high school students involved with the Warrior Outreach Organization have participated as well. We love working in the classrooms on arts and crafts projects, or in the gym with physical activities and games. We have also cleaned closets and organized supplies when needed.

Voice of Hope is a wonderful community partner, and always attends our Volunteer Fair at Lakehill. This year, I asked those organizations in attendance to let us know if they ever had any projects we could complete on our campus, from stuffing envelopes to assembling packets.

Voice of Hope needed a group to stuff 2,000 invitations for their Voice of Hope Night at the Winspear Opera House, to be held on December 7. In addition to raising critical funds, the Sing an Irish Christmas event, featuring Keith and Kristyn Getty, also provides the opportunity for children and families to hear the message of Christmas and experience the blessings of the season.

We gathered in the Lakehill Library to form stations, preparing invitations, response cards, and envelopes for mailing. The students really took ownership of the project, and were determined to get all 2,000 invitations ready.The energy and focus the students put into the project was amazing. They completed the task, and felt a tremendous sense of accomplishment.

Voice of Hope has a rich history in the West Dallas community, giving children the resources and individual attention they need to grow into productive citizens and strong leaders. Founded in 1982, Voice of Hope has grown to serve over 300 children daily in their ASPIRE after-school program and Summer Day Camp. Their vision is to see inner-city families equipped with the resources and skills needed to overcome and break the poverty cycle.

Voice of Hope depends on volunteers to achieve their mission. Some volunteers work directly with children in the ASPIRE After-School Program or Summer Day Camp, while others serve behind the scenes in support roles and garnering in-kind donations. Find out how you can get involved.

Volunteering doesn’t have to mean traveling to another location. There are many things you can do to help local non-profits from your home or school. Just ask!

 

 

Week 41: City Square Café

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October 12, 2018

This week, I headed downtown with my friend Sue to visit the CitySquare Café on their Opportunity Campus. I have volunteered with City Square many times, at the Thrift Store and with the Food on the Move program during the summers. After sampling some of the baked goods from their new Café at the opening the new North Texas Food Bank facility, and learning more about their program, we made a pledge to visit.

Since its founding in 1988, CitySquare has grown into a broad community development organization offering a comprehensive array of social services that address four key areas related to the persistence of poverty: hunger, health, housing, and hope. In November 2014, CitySquare relocated most of its direct services programs, including the food pantry and workforce training department, to its new Opportunity Center – a 53,000 square-foot campus located at the corner of Malcolm X. Boulevard and I-30 in Dallas.

A unique poverty-fighting project, the CitySquare Café is a designed as a training ground for students and graduates of their free six-week food service and hospitality program. Open Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., the cafe serves breakfast and lunch and is open to the public.

Students in the program get help with transitional housing, food, clothing, and job placement. Those who have completed the program have a chance to intern at the café, making a living wage while they secure long-term employment with CitySquare’s community business partners.

When we arrived, neighbors were in the courtyard, enjoying a cup of coffee. The Opportunity Center offers a place of refuge where neighbors can seek a better life. The café, run by Chef Sonya Dorsey, aims to change the trajectory of their lives through job training and placement.

The Café stays busy during mealtimes with volunteers, staff members, and groups who tour the Opportunity Center. The daily breakfast menu includes their renowned biscuits (with or without gravy), breakfast sandwiches, and burritos, as well as oatmeal and parfaits. For lunch, the Café serves a variety of soups, salads, and sandwiches, as well as a selection of desserts. They also cater to local organizations.

You can learn more about CitySquare’s history, mission and future by joining a tour of the Opportunity Center. Tours are offered twice a month and last about an hour.

Why not make plans to visit the Opportunity Center and enjoy a meal at the Café? You’ll be supporting CitySquare and fighting poverty with your meal purchase. A full menu is available here.

Week 40: Trick or Treat for UNICEF

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October 1, 2018

Halloween is just around the corner, which means it’s time for Trick or Treat for UNICEF. Lakehill has been volunteering with UNICEF for more than 30 years, and is an Ambassador school.

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF provides children, along with their parents and teachers, the opportunity to learn about their peers worldwide who are truly in need. It also enables them to raise money to help reduce the number of daily preventable deaths of children. Even if a child doesn’t trick-or-treat or celebrate Halloween, there are still a lot of fun ways to participate and make a difference.

UNICEF is the number one children’s humanitarian organization, working in over 150 developing countries. The organization provides impoverished children and their families with lifesaving medicine, nutrition, clean water and sanitation, education, and emergency relief throughout Africa, Asia, Latin America, and parts of Europe. Forbes and Charity Navigator list the U.S. Fund for UNICEF every year as one of the most efficient charities, with more than 90% of all money donated going directly to save and improve children’s lives.

We often invite a UNICEF staff member to school to give a presentation for our students. This year, several of our Middle School volunteers presented the program to the entire Lower School, sharing their personal experiences and encouraging the younger students to get involved. It really has become a cherished tradition, and students look forward to it every year.

While carrying the collection box door-to-door is one of the most popular ways to contribute, supporters can host an event, skip a snack or movie and donate the money, or contribute part of their allowance to UNICEF. The whole family can help by donating spare change at the end of each day into the UNICEF box. We even encourage them to look under the cushions on the sofa and under the seats in the car!

Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF is the original “Kids Helping Kids” campaign. It began in 1950 as a door-to-door collection effort by a small group of children in Philadelphia to help children who were suffering after World War II. For nearly 70 years, the annual tradition of Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF has helped raise nearly $177 million.

I believe that Trick or Treat for UNICEF helps our students as well, teaching them compassion and civic responsibility, giving them a chance to practice real-life math, speaking, and problem-solving skills, and empowering them to take action and work together.

This is my 11th year to be involved with UNICEF. What I love most is hearing the older students share their memories, ideas, and suggestions with the younger children. There is a special feeling when children join together to help other children. I love being a part of that.

Find out more and get involved with UNICEF here.

 

Week 39: Bye Bye Bags for Vogel Alcove

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September 28, 2018

During my 39th week of service, I worked with my Community Connections members at Lakehill Preparatory School on a project for our friends at Vogel Alcove.

We prepared Bye-Bye Bags, which are snack bags that are distributed to the children served by Vogel Alcove at the end of the day, giving them additional nutrition when they are away from the facility.

Each volunteer decorated several paper lunch sacks with uplifting messages. We set out a variety of healthy snack items on tables, such as applesauce, cereal, fruit snacks, tuna, and crackers. After decorating a bag, volunteers moved through the line, selecting one item from each category to place in their bag. We boxed up all the bags – about 200 in total – and delivered to Vogel Alcove to distribute as needed.

Vogel Alcove serves as many as 200 homeless children each day, allowing them to learn and thrive in a place free from hunger or trauma. Parents – most of whom are single mothers – have the opportunity to work, look for work, or go to school, knowing that their children are in good hands. Since 1987, Vogel Alcove has served more than 15,000 children and their families.

I am always surprised to read that Dallas has the highest child poverty rate in the country among cities with more than a million people. Thirty percent of Dallas children grow up in poverty. While there are many reasons for family homelessness, poverty is an overriding factor.

By providing education and a broad array of therapeutic services, Vogel Alcove is dedicated to helping children who are experiencing homelessness cope with the physical, emotional, and mental trauma so that they might succeed in life despite their circumstances.

Preparing Bye Bye Bags is just one of the many ways to help children at Vogel Alcove.

Find out more ways to get involved here.

 

Week 38: Lakehill Volunteer Fair

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September 21, 2018

I recently held a Volunteer Fair at Lakehill Preparatory School. I started this event three years ago to give students an opportunity to meet representatives from a variety of local non-profit organizations. The event was held on Lakehill’s Main Campus, in the Lydia and James Perry Community Room and the Student Commons.

Each service partner manned a six-foot table, set up their display materials. Students were able to move from table to table, depending upon their interests.

The Fair was a great way for our service partners to meet students who are interested in volunteering, recruit for their teen boards and other programs, share their mission with others, and interact with other non-profit representatives.

During the Fair, students were able to meet with 15 different charitable organizations, learning more about their missions and the volunteer opportunities available. The students and teachers enjoyed visiting with the representatives and learning more about their wonderful organizations.

This year’s participants included Bonton Farms, Catholic Charities/The Brady Center, C.C. Young Senior Living, Community Partners of Dallas, Crossroads Community Services, Dallas Children’s Advocacy Center, Feed My Starving Children, Hunger Busters, Jewish Family Service, Jubilee Park and Community Center, Meals on Wheels, Reading Partners, Voice of Hope, and the Wilkinson Center.

The Fair gave seventh graders through high school seniors the opportunity to broaden their volunteer horizons and find new ways to give back to their Dallas community. Students appreciated the chance to network and communicate with a wide variety of volunteer partnerships and explore many new avenues for service.

I also encouraged the non-profits to keep us in mind for special events and projects. I was thrilled when several of them immediately requested our help on a variety of projects that we could complete on campus. (More about those later).

Together, Lakehill students give more than 15,000 hours of volunteer service each year. Our school is small, but our students are dedicated to making a big impact in their community. A Volunteer Fair is a great kick-off event to help them harness their altruistic energy.

Week 37: Painting Bowls for The Stewpot

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September 10, 2018

On January 17, 2019, The Stewpot Alliance will host its 11th annual Soup’s On! Luncheon at The Hilton Anatole Hotel benefiting The Stewpot.

Some of the best chefs in Dallas – under the direction of celebrity chef Brian Luscher, owner of The Grape – will prepare a variety of specialty soups for the first course of the luncheon. Each guest receives a soup bowl to take home, and others are sold as part of the fundraiser. Guests will also be able to view and purchase one-of-a-kind works from artists who are members of the Stewpot Art Program.

While decorating the bowls was once a project for the students in The Stewpot’s children and youth program, the project has grown and now requires the support of the community. The Stewpot’s goal this year was to complete 700 bowls by the end of October.

Lakehill’s Middle School Community Connections group originally signed on to complete 50 bowls, although, in the end, only 20 were needed. The Stewpot provided the glaze, bowls, and brushes, and coordinated the drop-off and pick-up of supplies. To keep the bowls cohesive, we were asked to paint a fruit or vegetable on the inside of the bowl and to paint the outside a solid color with a special sprinkle paint. Beyond that, we were given creative freedom.

This was a great project for both the students and adults. We worked together in teams and had a great time painting our bowls.

The Stewpot offers a safe haven for homeless and at-risk individuals of Dallas, providing resources for basic survival needs, as well as opportunities to start a new life.

At its main location on the corner of Park Avenue and Young Street in downtown Dallas, The Stewpot provides casework assistance and enrichment programs to individuals and families experiencing homelessness, as well as Children and Youth and Family Stabilization programs to at-risk children and their families.

Since May 2008, The Stewpot has been the sole meal provider at The Bridge Homeless Recovery Center, serving 1,000 meals per day, seven days per week.

Find out more about The Stewpot, volunteer opportunities, and the Soup’s On! Luncheon.

 

Week 36: Dallas Animal Services

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September 3, 2018

Volunteering with animals is always a favorite with my volunteer groups. While it is sometimes difficult to find opportunities for younger children, Dallas Animal Services (DAS) provides a variety of ways for volunteers of all ages to engage with animals.

Dallas Animal Services is dedicated to helping Dallas be a safe, compassionate, and healthy place for people and animals. They work to control the loose animal population as well as increasing the positive outcomes for homeless animals in the city.

There are many ways to get involved with Dallas Animal Services. Adults over the age of 18 may volunteer on an ongoing basis in the main shelter in West Dallas or Everyday Adoption Center in North Dallas. Tasks might include customer relations, walking dogs, or cuddling cats. Volunteers must attend a program orientation and hands-on training and are required to serve a minimum of four hours each month.

Other one-time experiences include events like Easter in the Park, Mayor’s Back to School Fair, and All Out Trinity’s Bark in the Park. There is no monthly service hour minimum for these activities.

Students in grades K-12 can practice their reading skills among an attentive audience of shelter animals and in return improve shelter animal behavioral development through youth socialization and engagement. This is a wonderful opportunity for school groups and families, and I plan to incorporate this in my Community Connections camp next summer.

Educational visits enable students to learn more about animal welfare and the impact DAS has in their communities. These include a tour, visits with shelter animals, and an enrichment activity such as making toys and treats for shelter animals

The foster program enables the community to save hundreds of animals each year that might otherwise take longer at being adopted. Fosters provide a safe place for a dog to decompress before reaching their forever home.

Donations are always needed. An alert recently went out in the community that Dallas Animal Services was in need of new and used blankets and towels. We tend to have a lot of blankets and towels at my house, and this seemed like a great opportunity to cull what we had and donate them to a good cause.

Donations can be dropped off at the main shelter at 1818 N. Westmoreland Road or the PetSmart Everyday Adoption Center on 16821 Coit Road. Flat sheets are also appreciated, but fitted sheets should not be donated.

Bedding wears out quickly at a shelter, and these items are much in need for the animals they serve. As they say at Dallas Animal Services, even if you can’t take one home, you can still come to the rescue.

Week 35: Peanut Butter Drive for North Texas Food Bank

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September 2, 2018

Hunger can be a hidden issue in any community. It’s amazing to me that one in four children right here in North Texas may not know where they will get their next meal. There are more than 300,000 hungry children right here in our neighborhoods. Fortunately, there is something we can do to help.

September is Hunger Action Month, when people across the country work together to fight hunger. Every gift you share with the North Texas Food Bank makes a difference for families in North Texas.

The City of Plano hopes to raise awareness about the issue of food insecurity for children, families, and seniors and to get others get involved in the fight against hunger. The mayor and City Council have partnered with the North Texas Food Bank to help feed hungry children and families with the fifth Plano Peanut Butter Drive. Their goal is to collect 50,000 pounds of peanut butter. Donations of regular-sized (16 oz.) plastic jars of peanut butter or similar spreads like almond butter or sunflower butter are requested.

For the entire month of September, the North Texas Food Bank will be collecting regular-sized, plastic jars of peanut butter to help feed hungry children and their families. Your company or organization can register to host your own drive, or you can collect jars and drop them off at the five public drop-off sites throughout Plano.

Public Drop-off Sites:

Davis Library | 7501-B Independence Pkwy. | Plano, TX 75025

Plano Municipal Center | 1520 K Ave. | Plano, TX 75074

Carpenter Park Recreation Center | 6701 Coit Rd., | Plano, TX 75024

The Shops at Willow Bend (Lower-Level Court) | 6121 W. Park Blvd. | Plano, TX 75093

North Texas Food Bank’s Perot Family Campus | 3677 Mapleshade Ln. | Plano, TX 75075

My family and I dropped off several bags of peanut butter over Labor Day weekend. I plan to continue the drive with my Community Connections volunteers at Lakehill when we meet later this month by asking each of them to bring a jar of peanut butter to our meeting.

Find out other ways to donate healthy food, and learn bout hosting a canned food drive here.

Week 34: Here’s Your Reminder Project – Happy Goat Yoga

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August 25, 2018

I have wanted to try Goat Yoga for a long time now, so when I came across Happy Goat Yoga for Charity, I was thrilled. These classes serve as a fundraiser for the Here’s Your Reminder, an area non-profit. Proceeds from these classes help them carry out their mission.

Happy Goat Yoga is designed to combine exercise, animals, and positive people to relieve stress, anxiety, and depression. There is something special about enjoying a yoga class while the extremely friendly, and very cute, pygmy goats literally run all over you.

Each session of Happy Goat Yoga is two hours. The first hour is an all-level yoga class taught by one of their local, certified yoga instructors. After the yoga session, there is plenty of time to play some more with the goats and take pictures.

The Happy Goat Yoga events are held at different locations throughout the Dallas area, including Dallas, Richardson, Garland, Frisco, and Allen. Check out this list of their upcoming dates and locations.

My husband Johan and I attended a Saturday morning class at the Dallas Farmers Market. There were about 15 pygmy and dwarf goats, and one exceptionally cute lamb. The staff encouraged the goats to interact (often with treats), and were quick with a broom or some disinfectant when needed—which was often. I admit, we paid a lot more attention to the goats than we did to the yoga. For us, it really was all about the goats. They were all over us (especially Johan–I think they liked his broad shoulders), and we loved it!

As their motto says: “You can’t be grumpy with a goat on your back!” We had a blast.

Here’s Your Reminder Project believes that random acts of kindness should not be random. They suggest doing one act of intentional kindness every day, reminding someone in your life that they matter to you. It can be as small as sending a “Thinking of You” text during the day or as big as a surprise act of service that has been weighing on their to-do list.

Believe me, after a morning of Goat Yoga, you will be inspired to share your joy with others.

 

Week 33: Get Involved in the Election Process

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August 13, 2018

This is a blog about volunteering, not politics. However, midterm elections are right around the corner and, sadly, only 42% of registered Americans came out to vote in the last midterms. That is the lowest voter turnout since 1978.

In my opinion, that needs to change. People need to realize that their votes really do matter. One term in the House is two years, so all 435 seats are up for grabs. A Senate term is six years, so about a third of the Senate is up for re-election this year. With issues like healthcare, immigration, and the economy, there is plenty to get excited about.

This week, I signed up to work on a campaign: knocking on doors and making phone calls. I want to be a part of the process. Again, this is a blog about volunteering – not about politics – so find an issue or a candidate that speaks to your beliefs and sign on to help. Volunteer to help with a voter registration drive or at the polls. It’s too important to just let another election pass you by.

This is a nonpartisan post – the only thing that I really care about is that you actually vote. I want you to get registered, get informed, and cast your ballot. Because, as I mentioned, your vote matters.

September 25 is National Voter Registration Day. To get registered to vote, you can start here.

Election Day is November 6. Whatever you do, don’t stay home!