Festival Foods’ Post

My latest article profiling the people of Pacific Gas and Electric Company. Jeremy Howard is a humble hero who makes our community a better place!

Parents, if you're soon-to-be high school or college graduate still does not have a post graduation plan, please consider bringing national service opportunities to their attention. As a parent and having recently attended an Americorps graduation, I can attest to the benefits of national service both for the volunteers and our nation's communities. #volunteering #nationalservice #parenting

Check out what the TriCounty Young Professionals have been up to!

Being a fundraiser, to me, means embracing the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in the lives of others. My role at the YMCA, which I am deeply passionate about, allows me to be my authentic self, whether that means showing up to work dressed as a pirate, leading songs, or educating about safety in fun and engaging ways. However, beyond these lighter moments, the true essence of my job lies in the ability to effect positive change in the lives of children and their families. Throughout my time here, I've been moved by the resilience of families facing challenges that seem insurmountable. Our team works diligently to provide tailored support, striving to create an environment where each person feels valued and cared for, without them sensing the extent of our efforts. This focus on delivering an exceptional experience is at the heart of what we do. As we look forward to 2024, there are specific areas where funding is critically needed. I am reaching out today to ask if you or someone you know can help champion one of these causes. Your support could significantly help us bridge the funding gaps for essential services: - Providing an on-site nurse during the summer, which requires $12,000. - Hiring a seasonal behavior specialist, with a funding need of $7,800. - Employing a seasonal mental health specialist for both staff and campers, also needing $7,800. - Offering direct access to families impacted by cancer, which requires $8,000. - Supporting families navigating the foster system, needing a similar amount of $8,000. - Providing Support to (10) Title 1 schools so students can access Outdoor education, with a funding need of $7,000-10,000 - In 2023 with provided $150,000 of program adjustments, closing this gap also allows us to focus on program advancement. Your involvement, whether through direct support or connecting us with potential champions for these causes, can profoundly influence the lives of those we serve. Together, we have the power to make a real difference. Select the link to become a fundraiser, Thank you https://lnkd.in/g2aPrj7Q

Chapter One UK's online reading volunteers get as much out of their weekly sessions as the children they read with. "There's a real sense of achievement for me and for her," explains Rochelle Bennie from our corporate partner, Liberty Global. #literacy #itallstartswithliteracy #volunteersweek #volunteering #employeevolunteering #esg #csr #socialvalue #socialimpact #employeewellbeing #employeeengagement

I have learned over the years that, creating a supportive environment for volunteers is very important. From my experience managing people and projects, I've found that a few key things can help: First off, it's important to understand that volunteers have other commitments, so we must respect their time and efforts. Yes, they shouldn't be overburdened. Secondly, we need to see mistakes as opportunities for growth and learning. They'll make mistakes. A lot of it. So, giving room for errors and not always focusing on criticism first can make a big difference. Thirdly, we must remember that some people tend to take time to get settled within the team and fully understand their roles. Providing support throughout can really help to speed up the process. Lastly, letting volunteers know that they are valued, supported, and cared for is essential for creating a positive and supportive environment. Genuinely caring for and supporting volunteers in their personal pursuits can boost their overall engagement and performance. #tobatalks #themedutainer #volunteering #Volunteers

Just a reminder, April is filled with a lot of celebrations and National days/weeks. Two of my favorites are National Volunteer Month and National Volunteer Appreciation Week. This is the time for us individually to get involved (if we aren't already) in something that positively impacts our communities at large. This is also the highlighted time for organizations to honor and celebrate the hard work and dedication of their volunteers. May your organization have 5 volunteers or thousands serving your mission and clients daily, recognition of their commitment to serve also helps in retaining them. So remember to spend extra time this month to acknowledge your volunteers. They are more than just a number in your reports. They are people who chose to make a difference through your organization. And whether they are with you for one day, one month, one season, one year, or more... they deserve recognition. Many of our programs, organizations, institutions, and the like would truly be nothing without our volunteers. Remember those 3 R's of Volunteer Management: Recruitment, Retention, Recognition (and Relationships)! #thankavolunteer #nationalvolunteermonth #volunteers #volunteermanagement #recognition #retention

Measuring the impact of our work is fundamental to what we do at Chapter One. We are determined to provide robust evidence of the efficacy of our reading volunteer programme for our school partners, our corporate partners and our funders. Hear what Julie Bennett, our Evidence and Impact Manager, has to say about what’s next for Chapter One in terms of impact, including our plans to: 🗣️ Capture the voices of our children 📍 Collect place-based case studies 🔎 Refine our Theory of Change Read our Impact Report report: https://bit.ly/3Ueme4g #ChapterOne #itallstartswithliteracy #employeewellbeing #socialvalue #socialimpact #socialmobility #literacy #corporatepartnerships #corporatevolunteering #employeevolunteering

2nd attempt to post. Though at DEA they are not so proud to highlight their shortcomings that they have no issue hiding from taxpayers. They removed my previous posts which simply expresses DEA's willingness to hide their incompetence and disabled comments on the appropriate post. If this firm put out the truth and numbers of how many things they had to redo on this Highway 20 Safety Upgrade between Corvallis and Albany OR taxpayers would have something to say about this firm’s laughable ranking. How about it DEA, put out an itemized list of everything that had to be done two or three times because it wasn’t done right in the first place and how much taxpayers money was wasted in the process. In my driveway alone they had to do multiple things more than once. No wonder ODOT never comes in on budget with incompetence like this! Taxpayers should not have to foot the bill for this! DEA was contracted for at least the Newberg-Dundee Bypass, the worst one, up 239% from original estimate. https://lnkd.in/epv6uESx

Congratulations Justin Whitworth on receiving the Special Reach Star of Service! Justin is studying teacher education at Palo Alto College. He has worked as a donation attendant for 3 years at the Second Chances thrift shop and Helotes Humane Society. His hobbies include reading history and politics, going on walks, and making new friends. Justin says his favorite thing about Special Reach is that, "It is an uplifting place to volunteer. The staff, families, fellow volunteers and participants are kind members of the community. The energy and communication they bring helps bring out our comradery. Everyone leaves happy after each event." He adds, "Special Reach has solidified my decision to be a special education teacher. I've seen participants who were reluctant to try new activities and believe in themselves. I feel great joy being a volunteer at Special Reach events. I have made many friends and acquaintances in the community. I have learned many things from the teachers." We celebrate Justin for his outstanding contributions and thank him for his selfless dedication to improving our community! #specialneedschildren #takeabreak #sanantonio #volunteer #volunteersmakeadifference #community #communitysupport #communityimpact #makeadifference #specialeducation #disability #disabilityawareness #disabled #inclusion #autism #specialneeds #accessibility #autismawareness #autismspectrum #neurodiversity #love #disabilityadvocate #cerebralpalsy #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #disabilityrights #disabilityinclusion #downsyndrome #motivation #inspiration #diversitymatters