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Week 8 Recap - March of Dimes Kick Off, Birthday Magic, GBLAX, Suicide Prevention Walk and the Grace Foundation

Week 8 was a busy week of volunteering! 

On Tuesday, February 21st, I attended the kick of event for the March of Dimes - March for Babies.  This is my 6th year being involved in the March of Dimes. It is such a critical organization and how can you not want to help babies??  I have taken the lead role with my company in organizing walkers and day-of event details.  Family and friends, if you are interested in joining our walk team, please register here.

Want to see what March for Babies is all about? Click
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5P_dFD0J47I to see the video or visit
http://www.marchforbabies.org/

On Friday, February 24th, I volunteered with the local Granite Bay Lacrosse League and helped out at their practices.  The weather was gorgeous and I had a fun time watching the kids.  GBLAX will be hosting a Crab and TriTip dinner in a couple weeks.  If you are interested in attending please see details below.

Granite Bay Lacrosse

2012 Annual Dinner & Auction

(TICKETS SALES ARE ONLINE ONLY)
10 March 2012 - 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm
Lutheran Church Event Center
6365 Douglas Blvd. Granite Bay, Ca.

Buy $50 Individual Tickets Here

On Sunday, February 26th, I spent the day at The Grace Foundation.  This is my 4th time out at the ranch and had the privilege in taking a course in Natural Horsemanship.  This course is one of the steps I must take as a volunteer to progress into leadership roles within the organization.  It was a lot of fun working with the horses.  There are a ton of volunteer opportunties coming up.  If you are interested, click here.

Throughout the week, I was also doing administrative work for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and the Volunteer Center of Sacramento.  I am coordinating the "Out of the Darkness Walk" for the AFSP which will take place later this year.  In addition, I coordinated volunteers for Birthday Magic here in Sacramento.  One of my volunteers for Birthday Magic sent me an email yesterday.  She said:

"Good morning, Melanie.  I attended the Birthday MAGIC party on Friday.  I have to tell you, that was one of my favorite volunteer events, ever.  I will definitely be attending monthly.  Thank you for bringing such a great opportunity to the Volunteer site."

It is so awesome to hear feedback and know that my efforts are making an impact and encouraging volunteerism in those I have been able to reach.

Thank you!!!

Another Sunday at Grace Foundation

This Sunday, my daughter and I spent another day out at the Grace Foundation.  We did chores around the ranch, pulled horses from the pasture and groomed them, and mucked out some stalls.  It was some good old fashioned work.  I am convinced that a little dirt, fresh air and hard work are the key to happiness.  :)

Down by the Sea Crab Feed - Sacramento Children's Home

On Saturday, February 18th, my friend Theresa and I volunteered at the "Down by the Sea" Crab Feed benefiting the Sacramento Children's Home.  We were tasked with selling drink tickets during the event.  We had a great time (Although we wish we got to eat some of the delicious crab that was going around)!  The volunteer coordinator for this event said it is their biggest event of the year.   They did a fantastic job putting it together.  It was held at the Folsom Community Center and included live auction, silent auction, raffle prizes and some yummy food.  I think next year, we will buy tickets and attend the event. 

Week 7 and Beyond: Sacramento Children's Home

I am, now, 7 weeks into a year commitment of volunteering. 

This weekend, I will be helping out at the "Down by the Sea" Crab Feed, benefiting the Sacramento Children's Home.  This is the 14th year for this event.  It will take place at the Folsom Community Center.  I am looking forward to the opportunity to help out this much needed charity. 

"The Sacramento Children's Home is committed to helping build strong families; to opening doors to the future; to maximizing potential; and ending the cycle of child abuse. The Sacramento Children's Home provides care to the most vulnerable children and families in the Sacramento community. Established in 1867, the Sacramento Children's Home has always been deeply committed to the care of children and families. Our community-based, residential and educational programs address the issues of children, newborn to 21, and range from prevention of child abuse and parenting education, to acute trauma treatment."

I have some other really exiting projects on the horizon, as well:

I have been selected as the volunteer coordinator for the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention's Annual "Out of the Darkness Walk". 

I have also been coordinating volunteers for the Birthday Magic program, through the Volunteer Center of Sacramento.  "The Birthday MAGIC Program provides birthday parties for children currently living in the Sacramento Area Emergency Housing Center’s (SAEHC) Family Shelter, a local homeless shelter."  I have successfully booked volunters for 2 upcoming birthday celebrations!  What a rewarding and much needed program.  Everybody deserves their own special day, despite life's unfortunate circumstances.  

If you are interested in any upcoming volunteer opportunities, please email me at ashornml@gmail.com. 

Week 6 Recap: Grace Foundation (Because we just can't get enough)

In my post, dated January 17th, 2012, I addressed the question:  "why are you volunteering at so many different organizations and why don't you just pick one place that you feel passionately about?" 

My response was "To be honest, I am passionate about a lot of things and I have a feeling that there might be more out there that I could be passionate about, if my eyes are open."

On Saturday, January 11th, my daughter and I were back at The Grace Foundation for another round.  The reason being...WE FOUND SOMETHING WE ARE PASSIONATE ABOUT.  We are both animal lovers and more particularly, horse lovers.  If you talk to my husband, he will tell you that I have bothering him to get a horse for the past 2 years.  I lived in the country for most of my life.  I got my first pony for my 7th birthday and had him until I was 25 years old.  My love of horses is what prompted me to visit Grace for the first time. However, once we were there, we were hooked.  The Executive Director, Beth DiCaprio, was so passionate and enthusiastic when sharing her vision for Grace that it was contagious.  We found that, not only was this a place for people who love animals, but people who love children, the community, the environment and learning.  My daughter will be participating in a teen leadership program, as well as, a project horse program.  Please check out their website for details about the many volunteer opportunities available at Grace (for ALL ages).

That being said, in addition to volunteering at a different organization each week, we will continue to volunteer at Grace on a consistent basis. 

Museum Day at Sacramento Zoo

I was able to coordinate 16 Wells Fargo volunteers today for the Sacramento Zoo. I was also lucky enough to work the front entrance and talk to all the kids who were waiting patiently for their visit to the zoo. So much fun!!!