Reston Interfaith Monthly Update

Sign up to participate in any of these activities 
by responding to volunteer@restoninterfaith.org or calling (571) 323-9567!  
or go to Volunteer Opportunities

Read Reston Interfaith's Latest eNewsletter  Volunteer Calendar

Hypothermia Prevention Program
Meet the immediate needs of one of the most vulnerable populations in our community this winter season!  The North County Hypothermia Prevention Program, operating daily from Dec 1, 2007 – Mar 31, 2008 at the North County Human Services building, 1850 Cameron Glen Drive in Reston, still needs your commitment of support and participation to prevent weather-induced illness and loss of life among unsheltered homeless adults.  Learn more about this great opportunity to make a difference in our community – volunteers and community
support are still needed to fill a variety of opportunities, in February and March: 

Click here to view a flyer of volunteer opportunities.
Click here to learn how to prepare food for the hypothermia program. 
Click here to view the hypothermia program wish list.
Questions?  Ready to get involved?  Want to learn more?  Contact Mandy Guernsey – Mandy.Guernsey@restoninterfaith.org or (571) 323-9565.

Volunteer Orientations
Each year, over 1,500 volunteers provide critical support to our programs and services in the community! We welcome you to attend an upcoming volunteer orientation to learn about these programs as well as how you can get involved in activities that require an on-going commitment (weekly, bi-weekly or monthly).
Dates/Times: Tuesday, March 11, 5:30-7:30 pm
                     Monday, March 24, 5:30-7:30 pm
Sign Up: Mandy Guernsey - Volunteer@restoninterfaith.org, 571/323-9565

Youth Awareness & Action Activity
Did you know that teens volunteer over 2.4 billion hours each year? Learn about your community and how you can make a difference by participating in an interactive presentation and bagged meal preparation benefiting clients of the Embry Rucker Community Shelter. All participants will be instructed to bring specific food items to contribute toward the activity. Click here to view the flyer.
Date/Times:
Tuesday, March 18, 4:00-6:00 pm
Sign Up: Mandy Guernsey - Volunteer@restoninterfaith.org, 571/323-9565 by Tuesday, February 19.

Child Care Providers
Supervise children while their parents participate in educational workshops and other important activities. Volunteers play games, read stories, and keep children entertained using resources/materials provided by the program or the volunteers. All volunteers should be at least 14 years old; volunteers under 16 must be accompanied by a parent/adult at all times. Volunteers who are 18 or older may be required to have completed background checks on file with Reston Interfaith.  New needs are continually arising, so let us know that you are interested and we will provide you a complete list of dates/times needed!
Dates/Times: Wednesday, March 12, 6:00-9:00 pm
Location: Reston
Sign Up: Mandy Guernsey - 
Volunteer@restoninterfaith.org, 571/323-9565

Tax Preparers
Help our clients receive more of their hard earned income!   Volunteer tax preparers use easy computer tax software that they learn through an on-line training module.  We welcome both experienced tax preparers and anyone who is interested in helping our clients.   Volunteer s make an ongoing commitment to participate throughout the tax season.  Interested tax preparers who speak Spanish, Urdu, Farsi, Amharic, and Arabic are especially needed!

Dates/Times:
February 2 – April 12: Thursdays, 2:30 – 8:30 pm and Saturdays, 9 am – 1 pm
Sign Up:
 Mandy Guernsey , Mandy.Guernsey@restoninterfaith.org or (571) 323-9565

Bagged Meal Caterers
Show off your culinary skills to clients at the Embry Rucker Community Shelter and ensure they receive a nutritious meal. Purchase food and prepare and deliver bagged meals using  guidelines that we provide. Volunteers prepare the meals in their own off-site location.  
Dates: flexible, depending on volunteers' availability and current needs
Location: your location to prepare lunches; deliver to the Embry Rucker Community Shelter 
Sign Up: Emily Dahlkamp - Emily.Dahlkamp@restoninterfaith.org or 571-323-1383  at least one week in advance of desired drop-off  date. For more information about donating food, click here .

Golf Committee Members
Ensure the success of the 2008 Rucker Memorial Golf Tournament from the ground up! The tournament raises over $90,000 to directly support Reston Interfaith programs and services in the community and includes a full day of golfing, dinner, live and silent auctions, raffle and prizes. Make a difference in our community by obtaining donated items, sponsorships and golfers. No prior experience is needed, just your enthusiasm and energy!
Dates/Times: Volunteers participate when most convenient for them and only minimal attendance in meetings is requested.
Sign Up: Mandy Guernsey -
volunteer@restoninterfaith.org or 571/323-9565           

Interpreters
Bridge the communication divide between our community and the services they need!  Bilingual Arabic or Farsi (and English) speakers are needed during an upcoming tax preparation clinic to assist tax preparers communicate with and obtain necessary information from customers.  Volunteers with Arabic, Farsi, Urdu, Somali, Amharic, Vietnamese and Spanish language speaking and writing abilities are needed for additional assignments, too.
Date/Times: Saturday, March 8, 1:30-5:30 pm
Sign Up: Mandy Guernsey -
Volunteer@restoninterfaith.org,                      571/323-9565         

Mailing Preparation Assistants
The annual Best of Reston Awards for Outstanding Community Service; which recognize some of Reston’s best while raising important funds for Reston Interfaith programs; are just around the corner! Stop by for a few minutes or a few hours with your friends or your favorite music to prepare invitations and get the word out about attending the event! This is also a great community service activity.  Due to the unpredictability of printing schedules, volunteers will sign up for "on call" shifts to receive notification confirming activity status immediately prior to the activity date/time.
Dates/Times: Friday, March 14 & Monday, March 17, 10:00 am - 5:00 pm
Location: Reston
Sign Up: Mandy Guernsey - Volunteer@restoninterfaith.org, 571/323-9565         

Coat Closet Crew
Warmer weather will be here before you know it!  Pack and transport coats and racks for this program that collects and distributes over 4,000 coats each winter.  Volunteers with pick-up trucks and trailers are needed to transport racks.  All volunteers should feel comfortable lifting and carry heavy, bulky objects up several flights of stairs.
Date/Times: Saturday, March 15, 11:30 am - 2:30 pm
Location: Reston
Sign Up: Mandy Guernsey - Volunteer@restoninterfaith.org,   571/323-9565         

Mentors
Begin 2008 by mentoring a youth from 9-14 years of age at the Southgate Community Center !  Spend just one hour per week with your mentee, assisting them with homework, playing board games and sports, sharing your hobbies and spending one-on-one time to guide them through their adolescent years.  For more information, visit the mentoring website at
www.fairfaxcounty.gov/rec/mentoring/MentoringProject/htm.
Days/Times: 
Tuesdays, 4:15 - 5:15 p.m.  

Contact:
 Lindy Jaouad, Reston Mentoring Coordinator – 703-324-5341 or lindy.jaouad@fairfaxcounty.gov

Youth Opportunities Calendar
Become one of over 43 million youth across the country who believe that they can make a difference in their community!  The Reston Interfaith Youth Volunteer Calendar is a practical resource which allows you to choose age-appropriate activities that are a good fit for your family, troop, youth group or students.  Find out about a variety of volunteer activities, such as preparing bagged meals, to fulfill your community service requirement or just participate in a hands-on activity that benefits our neighbors! 
View the current calendar: http://www.restoninterfaith.org/uploads/Youth%20Volunteer%20Calendar.pdf

Susan Stolpe - Volunteer Manager  
phone: (571) 323-9569  
email: susan.stolpe@restoninterfaith.org  

Reston Interfaith  
11150 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 210  
Reston, VA 20190  
fax: (571) 323-9554  

Mandy Guernsey - Volunteer Coordinator
phone: (571) 323-9565
email:
Mandy.Guernsey@restoninterfaith.org

 

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