Featured Story - April 2006

In April, VolunteerLEON joins with thousands of organizations and individuals in Florida to celebrate and recognize volunteers who are changing lives and strengthening communities throughout our state. Proclaimed Florida Volunteer Month by Governor Bush and the Florida Cabinet, April is the time to promote the spirit of volunteerism. The month long Florida Volunteer Month campaign provides an opportunity for organizations to showcase the benefits of volunteering, share their achievements and to engage more citizens in volunteer service. Join us in celebrating volunteerism and at one our events this month:

Hope for the Homeless - April 15th 10am - 1pm - 918 Railroad Avenue
Did you know that 35% of Tallahassee’s homeless population is age 5 – 16? Young people in middle or high school can come hear first hand from a formerly homeless person how this affects all of us! Participants are asked to bring toiletries to be given to homeless persons such as toilet paper, detergent, coffee, sugar, toothpaste/brush, shaving cream, razors and deodorant. We will deliver those toiletries when we go and visit an organization that serves homeless persons. For more information or to register contact Amanda at 606-1970 or youthcorps@leoncountyfl.gov

Street of Service - April 22nd 10 am - 4pm - Leon County Fairgrounds
This annual event sponsored by VolunteerLEON and the Directors of Volunteers Association will be held in conjunction with Kidsfest Fest at the Leon County Fairgrounds. Features community based organizations recruiting volunteers to serve. Come find out how you and your family can serve the organizations who serve our community.

Spring Interface- April 22nd - 1pm - 3:45 pm- Dr. B.L. Perry, Jr. Branch Library
In honor of National Youth Service Day, youth of all faiths and cultures will come together for an afternoon of service and interfaith reflection and learning. We will discuss the diverse cultures of our community and learn how these interfaith communities can serve the community side-by-side. We will also be assembling disaster supply backpacks to distribute to our local senior population. For more information or to register contact Scott at 606-1970 or maclaughlins@leoncountyfl.gov

National Volunteer Week - April 23rd - 29th
National Volunteer Week is about thanking our community’s most valuable assets – volunteers – and calling the public’s attention to all that they do to improve our communities. The Week is sponsored by the Points of Light Foundation & Volunteer Center National Network and was first designated as an annual observance by Executive Order by President Richard Nixon in 1974.

County Employee Hurricane Katrina Resolution - April 25th - Board of County Commissioner's Meeting - Leon County Courthouse, Commission Chambers
The Board of County Commissioners is honoring all of the great county employees who stepped up to help the victims of last year's hurricane season and those who are still volunteering their time in the gulf coast area. Leon County Employees were among the more than 4,000 local citizens who answered the call to volunteer to help our neighbors in relief and recovery efforts in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

Press Conference on Disaster Preparedness Initiatives - April 26th - 10:30am - 1823 Buford Court
Join Ability 1st, American Red Cross, Leon County Emergency Management, Leon County Senior Outreach, VolunteerLEON, and a host of other community partners for a press conference at Ability 1st to find out about how government and community based organizations are teaming up to make sure our community's most vulnerable populations are prepared for hurricane season. Find out more information about this exciting new initiative.

Volunteer of the Year Banquet April 27th - 11:30am - 1pm - University Center Club
Congratulations to Akin Ritchie, President of VolunteerLEON Youth Corps. He is a finalist for the Tallahassee Democrat’s Youth Volunteer of the Year. Akin will be recognized along with hundreds of other volunteers who make an impact on our community.

Lunch on the Lawn - Project LEAD & County Volunteer Supervisor Recognition - April 28th - 11am - 1pm - County Courthouse, Front Lawn
Leon Employees Are Dedicated to volunteer service. County employees who use administrative leave to volunteer in our community and employees interested in learning more about the volunteer needs of our community are welcome to join VolunteerLEON on the front lawn of the Courthouse for hot dogs.

Spread the word about Florida Volunteer Month. Post a story about volunteering on your web site. Additional information and promotional materials are available in the Florida Volunteer Month Tool-Kit.