Monday, December 19, 2011

Holiday Outreach Program, December 17th, 2011

I have to admit... I was really excited to volunteer at this event... since I signed up for "Toy Distribution".
I am sad to say, it was not what I expected.

People signed up for this event, and they arrived and checked in, and were given a ticket with a number on it.  They brought that ticket over to me, and I would call off the numbers, and a few other volunteers were in the back grabbing the bags that had the matching numbers on them.  The bags were big black trash bags, and they had the toys inside.  90% of the people grabbed the bags and moved on, not even saying thank you.  There were also women taking these donations with nice acrylic nails, some even airbrushed... they had their hair done... it just bothered me.  If you are accepting donations for your children for the holidays, yet hair your hair and nails done, perhaps your priorities need to change. Drastically.

Regardless, it was a nice event, and the participants were also given food.  There were a few people who were extremely thankful and that made it worth it.  Some of the children were adorable as well, and very thankful.

I volunteered at this event by myself, but the organizer of the Meetup group I belong to stopped by and took some pictures, which I will share below.

Me, standing in the doorway where I took peoples tickets to call of the numbers.  Hands on my hips, sassy as ever :)









Sunday, December 18, 2011

Mercy House Cold Weather Armory Shelter Donation

Today I went around and picked up lots of clothing to be donated to this shelter. I also shopped the last few days with money people sent... Buying toiletries, gloves, beanies... I had so much fun. By the time I was done today, my trunk and entire back seat were at max capacity.

My friend Tina came with me to drop everything off. She handed out gloves to the people already waiting in line to be let into the shelter when it opened. That made me smile. She had one guy ask for black gloves which was kind of funny... But we found him some black ones.

It was an amazing feeling to drop everything off knowing many people will be warm thanks to everyone's generous donations. Thank you!!!

My full trunk...
My back seat, completely packed solid
Everything inside the Armory...
I am still collecting items!  Toiletries (travel sizes are preferred), razors, shaving cream, feminine products, socks, shoes (hiking boots, uggs), new underwear in packages, gloves, beanies, jackets, sweatshirts, pants... CASUAL clothing - warmth being the key, not style.

Sunday, December 11, 2011

Whitten Heights Senior Center - Memory Care Program December 11th, 2011

Today I spent an hour and a half at Whitten Heights Senior Center on the second floor, which is their Memory Care program.

It was a little awkward, as they had the residents seated at a table, and the volunteers walked up to talk to them, but there were not seats for us and it was hard to talk to them the way it was set up a little bit.

There were a few birthdays for the month of December, only one of the residents were there... the one man among all the women.  He, was hilarious.  He sang to some of the girl volunteers, kissed one on the cheek... he was a pistol, for sure!  We sang Happy Birthday, and he loved it.

There was one woman who only spoke Spanish, and I do not speak any Spanish... she grabbed my arm and would not let go.  They had her up from the table, because she was getting a little "hostile" and they said she needed to walk it off.  She was talking to me non stop and laughing, and I felt bad because I didnt understand her and she didnt understand me.  At one point she wanted to pick my nose, and the nurse stopped her.  It was pretty funny.  But one of the guys there, listening, told me she thought I was her granddaughter.  I said I felt bad because I couldnt understand her or talk back, and he said really - all that matters is she is happy her granddaughter came to see her today.  It is what it is :)

This was an experience, I would like to say I will do it again but I wish the setup was a bit different and that we could sit down next to the residents, and get comfortable and talk to them.  It was setup just a bit awkward.  But it was a nice day, and we made them happy!
In the elevator... heading up.
 All of us who volunteered today.  Some through the Meetup group I was with and some from a Church Ministry.
 The gorgeous tree in the lobby.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Upcoming Volunteer Events

This weekend I am volunteering at a Senior Center... its only an hour and a half, and we get to celebrate this months birthdays then spend time with the seniors... talking, listening, laughing... The residents are in the memory care program... so Im sure it is going to be a little emotional... reminding me of my grandmother - but I am happy I get to experience this.

I have also signed up for a few Sunday evening shifts at a homeless shelter I have wanted to be involved with for years!  I pass this homeless shelter on my way home from work every day, and I also did when I worked at Ambrosia.  It is only open during the "cold months" and every night when I passed by previously (Its not open yet this year) and I saw the long line of people waiting - and so many children... it made me cry.  Every.  Single.  Night.

I couldnt figure out how to volunteer in the past, but now I am able to do so through the Volunteer Meetup group I am part of.  I am so excited.  I think its going to be hard, but I am up for the challenge.  In the past I have always wanted to make little bags of goodies and wake up early one Saturday or Sunday and take them to the homeless people sleeping in the park next to this shelter.  I never did because I always wanted someone to go with me, for a few reasons.  Safety was one.  However this year, I am going to just do it.  I have learned, sadly, if I want to do something, the best way is to just do it on my own - otherwise it wont happen.  That being said, if you are interested in joining me, please let me know and we can pick a morning.  I plan to just get snacks at the dollar store and pack them in small bags with handles so they are easy to hand out, or leave next to someone if they are sleeping.

Sunday, November 27, 2011

We Give Thanks, November 24th, 2011 More Pictures

Me and Dalia, we worked together on the carrots and zuchinni all day
 Group picture of our group of volunteers
 The tables set up...
 The center pieces were gorgeous

 Very serious, very hard at work :)


 Big crowd waiting to get in, the line wrapped around Honda Center

 Volunteers of all ages helped out

 Grandpa Jerry tasted a carrot from each batch, to be sure they were ready ;)

Thursday, November 24, 2011

We Give Thanks, November 24th, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

This morning I participated in "We Give Thanks".
This was their 25th year!!!

I was assigned in the "kitchen" area.  Everything was outside, in the parking lot of the Honda Center.  I was with a few other people and we were in charge of the vegetables.  Carrots and Zuchinni.  We had to cut the bags, and drain them... as "Grandpa Jerry" said, "Just stick the knife in and twist, the way the do in a stabbing in New York City".  He was wearing a biker jacket, with a Prison Gang emblem.  I laughed nervously, and moved away from Grandpa Jerry and his knife  :)

We would cook 12 bags of carrots and 4 bags of zuchinni at a time.  Once they were done, we drained them again and passed them off to another group of people who dumped them into containers ready to be served.  I got burnt a few times, but its all good.

They were expecting 18,000 attendees today, for a free Thanksgiving meal.  The line was long and the area was packed!
We were able to sneak away at the end and get a little taste of the food.  It was amazing.  The stuffing had onions, celery, rice, bread, crushed tortilla chips and so much else in it.  I watched them make it all day, I was glad I got to taste it.  The mashed potatoes were done with a machine that looked like a huge power saw.  It was all so neat.  Channel 9 was there, as were every other channel, but Channel 9 spent a lot of time over by us, so maybe my face will be in their coverage somewhere :)

I have always wanted to volunteer on Thanksgiving day, and I have never been able to, because everything fills up so fast.  I am thankful I got to do this today!  Now, I should probably shower and head to south county for my Thanksgiving feast :)


Inside the "Kitchen"... Volunteers
Early, before anyone arrived...
Two of the girls I volunteered with on the vegetables... Dalia, and I dont remember the girl in the middles name.
"Grandpa Jerry" tested a carrot from every batch, to make sure they were ready :)
The girls, again
This, was the stuffing.  SO good!
Grandpa Jerry on carrot patrol
A view from the street, as I left
The vegetable end product
The t-shirt they gave us volunteers
The tables all set up before the event started

Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Special Olympics Fall Games - Saturday, November 12th

I volunteered with the Special Olympics, Fall Games this past weekend.  They were in Fountain Valley and I chose to volunteer for the bowling.  

In the orientation meeting, they mentioned there were two lanes that would have bowlers using ramps - because they might be in wheelchairs, or on a gurney, and they couldnt lift the ball.  I will admit, in orientation I was hoping I would get one of these two lanes.  And I did  :)

I started out with three bowlers and one was removed.  I had two girls, one was in a wheelchair and one was able to walk.  

Frances, was in a wheelchair.  When she arrived, I asked her caretaker if she had a ball and shoes already.  Her caretaker just looked at me funny.  Shoes?  Sigh.  Oops.  I asked Frances her favorite color, she said pink.  I went to get her a ball, and made sure she liked it before I put it on the lane for her.

Wendy was able to chose her own ball, and she chose a really pretty blue / silver one.  

My alley and the one next to mine, had ramps.  Frances was wheeled up to the ramp, and I would retrieve her ball each time and put it on the ramp for her, and then she would push it down, and it would go down the lane.  She was really funny - she talked to the ball.  "Come on ball, help me out ball, lets do this ball..."  It was awesome.  When Wendy didnt have a good bowl, she would tell her to talk to the ball.  

The girls were REALLY big on high fives, and Wendy liked to hold my hand.  She got really close to my face and was studying my makeup... pointing out everything I was wearing, and wanted to know why I dont wear lipstick.  Ive never really thought about that, so I just told her it seems to come off fast, so I dont bother wearing it.

After they bowled, two games each, they did the awards ceremony. Usually they are outside, but due to the rain, they did them right on each lane.  We were lane #1 so we went first.  Both of my girls got first place medals.  I was so proud.  They really had a great time, and so did I.  It was pretty humbling, and I teared up a few times just sitting there watching everyone.  





Friday, November 11, 2011

Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo - November 5th, 2011

On November 5th, I volunteered at a Golden Future 50+ Senior Expo event.  I have never volunteered with them before, so I had no idea what to expect.

The expo took place at Angels Stadium, and I believe this was the first time it was held there... and I dont think they were very well prepared.  When I arrived, I was seated at a table at the entrance to the expo.  I was checking in vendors first, then was checking in attendees.  It was very chaotic, and due to not being fully prepared, the expo started late.  Im not sure how often you are around Seniors who are looking for a ton of free things, but... they are not your most patient group of people :)

When checking in attendees, they had to fill out a registration form, and then I had to give them a goodie bag, a card to get stamped inside the expo with an explanation that they were to get it stamped and bring it back when it was full to be entered for a chance at a door prize.  I personally felt like I did a good job with crowd control and handling the not so happy seniors when the expo was delayed by 15 minutes.  I ran out of goodie bags quickly and was not told there were four more boxes of them behind me, so that caused some mass hysteria for a short while.  Its upsetting when you dont get free literature, a free CD and a free pen.  :)

I had THREE gentlemen ask me if I was the door prize.  When I said I was not, they gave the cards back to me and said they were not interested.  Flattering?  Weird?  Awkward?  Yeah, probably all three.  I had a woman laughing so hard at one point, she had to walk away.  One gentleman wanted to know what exactly was in the bag, and was explaining what he did and didnt want.  I told him he was free to take what he wanted and leave what he did not.  It was a very long, drawn out process for him.  He wanted the CD and the pen, but not the papers, but he had to discuss each paper with me and why he didnt want them.  I, honestly... didnt care either way :)

I kept a positive attitude the entire time, I woke up in a good mood, and Corner Bakery was there selling coffee, but the volunteers got it for free... so I was buzzing along.  I think had it been a little more organized, it would have went a little smoother... but all in all it was a neat experience.  I also received a pretty cool "Certificate" and a $5 gift card to Target.  Sometimes volunteers dont even get a thank you, so this was pretty neat!

If you would like to volunteer with Golden Futures:


Foster Care Auxillary Picnic - September 18th, 2011

On September 18th, I volunteered with Orangewood Children's Foundation for their Foster Care Auxillary Picnic.

This event was for foster children and their families to attend.
There were crafts for the kids to do, and games for them to play.
There was a small water area where the kids could do bumper boats.
I was in charge of one of the games, where you threw bean bags into slots and got tickets.

The game I worked, was everyones favorite.  I think because it was the easiest to get tickets.  

There was one little girl, who was my favorite child of the day.  She had her face painted and she was adorable.  She kept coming back to our game, and counting her tickets.  I asked her what she was playing for, and she said her cousin was not able to come to the picnic, so she wanted to get enough tickets to buy her cousin a stuffed animal.  I thought that was so sweet, I asked her how many tickets she needed.  The picnic was ending about 5 minutes later and she needed 10 or 15 more tickets.  She played the game, and I handed her the 10 or 15 tickets she needed and she ran off SO excited to be able to get her cousin that stuffed animal.  It touched my heart that she was so excited to do something for someone else... at her age.  

This event was so organized, they provided so many things for the kids to do, they provided lunch for everyone who attended and everything went so smoothly.  I am looking forward to volunteering with Orangewood again.

If you are interested in volunteering with them:


Volunteer Opportunities

Do you want to volunteer?
There is no excuse of why you cant.  :)

Go here, search your area, and submit a request

Every day / Everywhere:
Holiday Mail for Heroes


In Orange County?
Here are more opportunities:

Saturday, November 12th  10:00am
(and)
Sunday, November 13th  10:00am
Special Olympics - Fountain Valley
Fountain Valley Recreation and Sports Park
16400 Brookhurst StFountain ValleyCA
Go cheer on the athletes!
Soccer, Volleyball, Softball and Tennis
You do not need to register, just show up, bring a chair, and cheer on all of the athletes for as long as you want!!!  Rain or Shine!  They could use the support!
I am volunteering for this event, but signed up for bowling, so I will be at another location.


Sunday, November 13th  1:30pm - 3:00pm
(and)
Sunday, December 11th  1:30pm - 3:00pm  (I am attending this)
Bring Cheer to Senior Citizens - La Habra
Whitten Heights Assisted Living
Join Meetup and RSVP here:


Saturday, November 19th  8:00am - 12:00noon
Foodbank of Southern California (Long Beach)
1444 San Francisco AveLong BeachCA
Dress comfortably in clothing you dont mind sweating in and getting a little dirty
Wear closed toed shoes
When you arrive, just let them know you are an individual, not with a group.
Leave your personal belongings in your car, there is nowhere to keep them.

Every day:
Holiday Mail for Heroes



Happy Veterans Day!

I have decided to start a blog where I can document my volunteering experiences.
I think over time it will be nice to look back and see what I have done.

Happy Veterans Day to all past and present military...
Thank you for my freedom!