The Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties Events

Economic Survival Fair

If the economy has struck you, it’s time to strike back at the economy!

Times are tough, but help is available. If you’ve just been laid off, had your hours cut, are struggling to pay bills, or just need information, the Economic Survival Fair is a great place to start.

At the Economic Survival Fair, you’ll find:

• Financial literacy coaching, with personalized advice on how to stretch your dollars
• Tips for more effective job searches, resumes, and interviews
• Registration for assistance from the Department of Social and Health Services
• Screening on whether you qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit
• Information on family support services and health care options
• Ideas for healthy meals on a budget
• Do-it-yourself craft corner
• Free HIV testing and counseling
• Free haircuts and care packages
• A bunch of other free stuff and free activities for the whole family!

The Economic Survival Fair will be held on Saturday, February 5, from 10 AM to 2 PM, at the Olympia Center, 222 Columbia St NW.

Amidst the difficulty, it is important to find the positive. No one is celebrating hard times, but we ought to celebrate each other during hard times. So join us at the Economic Survival Fair for information, advice, good company, free stuff, and a bit of fun!

For more information, contact the Volunteer Center at www.volunteer.ws or 360-741-2622.

The Economic Survival Fair is sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties, the Asset Building Coalition of Thurston County, Obee Credit Union, ROXY 94.5 FM, MIXX 96 FM, KGY 96.9 FM, and the Nisqually Indian Tribe.

Download Economic survival fair flyer 8-5 x 11

Holiday Meals: Christmas Edition

The guests have left, the turkey soup is bubbling, and Jack Frost is on his way... which means it’s time to support the Holiday Meals program: Christmas Edition!

Every year volunteers prepare, assemble, and deliver Thanksgiving and Christmas meals to homebound seniors in Mason and Thurston Counties. This meal provides us an opportunity to visit with local seniors, who look forward to the one-onone attention they receive during the holidays. It only takes a couple of hours, but it makes a big difference.

At Thanksgiving, we distributed 425 meals. We're hoping for enough volunteers and money to top that at Christmas.

There are two ways you can help:

1. Deliver meals in Mason or Thurston Counties. Email Emma to sign up.

2. Donate $20, or whatever you can afford. Food costs have increased, both for us and for seniors in need. This program is entirely volunteerdriven, so every dollar you give goes directly to pay for more meals that volunteers can deliver. Click here to donate.

Thank you!

Borst Home 150th Birthday Celebration

The Borst Home is turning 150!

Everyone is invited to the 150th Birthday Celebration!
Saturday, December 11
1:30 to 4 PM
Fun activities for all
Free to the public - donations welcome
For more information, call 330-7684 or visit www.cityofcentralia.com

History: In 1854, Joseph Borst married 16-year-old Mary Adeline Roundtree. Joseph and Mary started their life together in a small cabin on Joseph’s farm. Around 1860 or before (the exact year is not known), Joseph started construction on the house Mary wanted so badly. Some say the house was built for Mary because of the numerous times the family had to move and the harsh conditions under which she had to live. Others say it was because of a promise Joseph had made in order to get her to marry him. Whatever the reason, the house was built and its construction took two years. This is the Borst Home that still stands, 150 years later.

Directions: Take exit 82 off of I-5 in Centralia. Head west on Harrison Ave. Turn left on Johnson Road, then go past the middle school and swimming pool. Follow the signs to the Borst Home.

State Employees Day of Service, October 11

On their next furlough day, many state workers won’t just be taking a day off. They’ll be giving a Day of Service.

This is the second state employee Day of Service. The first one on August 6 was a cleanup project in downtown Olympia.

This time, the theme is doing things for kids. Projects are scheduled with four community groups that serve children in our community: Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Family Support Center, Hands On Children’s Museum, and the South Sound Reading Foundation. The projects are spread out through the day, so volunteers can participate in one or more – or even all four!

The schedule is:

• Big Brothers Big Sisters at 9 AM
• Family Support Center at 11 AM
• Hands On Children's Museum at 2 PM
• South Sound Reading Foundation at 4 PM

To sign up for any of these projects, email mpacfd@dshs.wa.gov or call 360-725-1287.

Organizers are also collecting children’s books for donation to the South Sound Reading Foundation.

There is no cost to volunteers. Everyone is welcome: state workers, their families, and anybody else.

These projects have been organized by the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties, in coordination with the Medicaid Purchasing Administration, and with support from the Combined Fund Drive and the CFD Thurston County Steering Committee.

The original idea for state employees to volunteer on their furlough days came from Valerie Pollet of the Medicaid Purchasing Administration. She said, “If this is affecting me and my coworkers in the pocketbook, and affecting the clients we serve, I wanted to do something to give back to the community. One thing led to another and this is the result.”

“These state employees are setting a wonderful example for our community, and will be doing important work to help kids,” said Sara Ballard, Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties.

Healthy Family Healthcare Options

On October 20, the “Healthy Family Healthcare Options” insurance information fair will offer answers to your questions about low-cost healthcare for you and your family. There are many changes happening in healthcare and health insurance these days, and this fair can help you stay abreast of what’s right for you.

Representatives from local healthcare and social service providers will be on hand. Topics will include children’s health insurance, community health resources, healthcare alternatives and options, veterans and military healthcare, Medicare Parts A,B, C, and D, prescription drug coverage, preventive care, and nutrition and health activities.

Medicare enrollees can get information on Part D, prescription drug coverage, and Medicare Advantage plans, including new plan updates and how to sign up during the open enrollment period of November 15 to December 31.

All attendees will have the opportunity to schedule a free personal counseling session in the future to talk about more specific questions. These sessions will be with volunteer counselors trained by the Office of the Insurance Commissioner. Low-income persons are especially encouraged to schedule a session for help in comparing and applying for Medicare plans and other health care assistance.

The fair is on Wednesday, October 20, from 9 to 2 PM, at the Olympia Center, at 222 Columbia St NW.

Everyone is invited. The fair will include information for everyone, including seniors, children, families, and individuals. The fair is free.

This health insurance information fair is sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties, Senior Services for South Sound, and the Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors (SHIBA) HelpLine. For more information about the event, please call 360-741-2622 or visit www.volunteer.ws.

For any questions about healthcare insurance or options, please call the SHIBA HelpLine at 360-489-1423.

The mission of the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties is to support volunteer efforts to address community needs, and inspire, engage, mobilize, and support volunteers. The Center accomplishes this mission by connecting people with opportunities to serve, offering volunteer management training, and promoting volunteerism. The Center provides more than 3,000 volunteer referrals per year, works with more than 250 nonprofit and public agencies, and offers more than 650 volunteer opportunities at www.volunteer.ws or 360-741-2622.

 

A Table for Olympia

The Table is back! On Saturday, September 11, from 4 to 8 PM,a downtown Olympia street will once again host a giant picnic table for hundreds of your closest family, friends, and neighbors.

Last year, over 500 people attended the first Table. This year, Fifth Avenue between Washington Street and Franklin Street will be closed to traffic and open for a potluck served family-style.

The event is free. To help pay for it, beverages will be available for purchase, including at a wine and beer garden in the parking lot of First Citizens Bank.

Attendees are asked to bring a potluck item to share, plus their own plate, utensils, napkin, and cup. Organizers are aiming for a zero-waste event. Please leave four-legged friends at home. 

Organizers will provide tables and chairs, though attendees are asked to bring a portable chair if they can. There will be live music by Artesian Rumble and other bands, plus games and entertainment for all ages.

A Table For Olympia is sponsored by the Olympia Action Network and the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties.

“It’s a summer picnic and a neighborhood celebration,” said Jessica Leiderbach, co-chair of Olympia Action Network. “We invite everyone to join us on Saturday evening to celebrate our community, the fantastic neighborhood of downtown Olympia, and each other.”

“Of course, September 11 is also the National Day of Service and Remembrance,” said Sara Ballard, executive director of the Volunteer Center. “I hope this event reminds people of what a great community we have and inspires them to get more involved.”

The Olympia Action Network and the Volunteer Center both offer many opportunities for volunteering and service in our community.

Olympia Action Network offers a free and easy way to volunteer, designed for people who want to get involved but don't know where to start. They believe that community service is a fun and essential part of creating strong communities and a balanced life. Inspired by President Obama's call for change, OAN provides opportunities to “be the change.” Members themselves organize the monthly activities, with no management structure and no fee to join, and members can participate whenever it makes sense for them. Visit www.olyactionnetwork.com or call 360-280-3436 for more information.

The mission of the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties is to support volunteer efforts to address community needs; and inspire, engage, and mobilize volunteers. The Center accomplishes this mission by connecting people with opportunities to serve, offering volunteer management training and the promotion of volunteerism. The Center also provides more than 3,000 volunteer referrals per year, works with more than 250 nonprofit and public agencies in its service area and offers more than 650 volunteer opportunities at www.volunteer.ws or 360-741-2622.

Expenses for A Table for Olympia are offset by contributions from the Arts Alliance of Downtown Olympia, First Citizens Bank, and the Olympia Downtown Association. The media sponsor is Everyday Olympia, at www.everydayolympia.com.

Day of Caring - September 24 - sign up your team today

The biggest one-day volunteer event in Thurston County is coming up again soon. Sign up your team today!

Day of Caring is an annual event, held this year on September 24, where hundreds of volunteers from throughout Thurston County join local nonprofit and other community organizations to work on service projects. Participating organizations are matched with volunteers who give their time, talents and services to make a hands-on difference in our community.

Day of Caring has a significant impact on the needs of local nonprofits. It also enables volunteers to meet new people, work as a team, and gain new experiences.

To register your team or browse the projects, visit http://bit.ly/DayOfCaring or call 360-741-2622.

An "after-hours" party will be held for Day of Caring participants at the Olympia Farmer's market, from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. There will be food, beverages and live music. Tickets can be purchased in advance from United Way for $10, or at the door for $15.

Day of Caring is a partnership between the United Way of Thurston County and the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason & Thurston Counties. This year, they also are coordinating with The Evergreen State College and Saint Martin's University, to engage local college students in meaningful, hands-on projects.

Day of Caring is generously sponsored by Heritage Bank, O Bee Credit Union, Olympia Federal Savings, Providence St. Peter Hospital, TwinStar Credit Union, and Group Health Cooperative.

This event also kicks off United Way's annual fundraising campaign. This year's goal is to raise $1.4 million for health and human service programs in Thurston County.

The mission of the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties is to support volunteer efforts to address community needs; and inspire, engage, and mobilize volunteers. The Center accomplishes this mission by connecting people with opportunities to serve, offering volunteer management training and the promotion of volunteerism. The Center also provides more than 3,000 volunteer referrals per year, works with more than 250 nonprofit and public agencies in its service area and offers more than 650 volunteer opportunities through at www.volunteer.ws.

Extreme Build Lewis County

The Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties is now registering volunteers for Extreme Build Lewis County. Everyone is welcome. Volunteer opportunities range from skilled construction work to unskilled labor to serving lunch for the other volunteers and much more. Volunteer shifts are available all day from September 5 to September 12. To register or for more information, visit www.volunteer.ws or call 360-748-2500.

About Extreme Build Lewis County

After the flood of 2007, almost everyone in Lewis County knew of someone in desperate need. Seeing this need and being inspired by the goodwill of our neighbors, the nonprofit organization Renew Lewis County created the project Extreme Build Lewis County, with support from the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties. The purpose of this project is to seek out an inspirational family, residing in Lewis County, who has a special need for their home to be replaced. Their existing home will be deconstructed and rebuilt in seven days.

Earlier this year, nominations were accepted for inspirational and deserving families who currently owned a home in disrepair. From many worthy nominees, one family was selected. Raelene McElvain and her children, Lara, Calla, Natalya, and Shay, were among those who saw their house flooded and condemned. To this day, they have been forced to live elsewhere; in fact, Shay has not been able to live with his family since the flood, and misses being under the same roof with his mom and sisters.

In a span of seven days, from September 5 to September 12, volunteers will construct a brand-new home for the McElvain family.

The project is primarily supported through sponsors who generously donate labor or materials for the construction of the home. Renew Lewis County has partnered with United Way of Lewis County to ensure all donations are tax deductible.

But the success of this project will also depend on our sponsors the community volunteers that donate their time to assist with the completion of the home. Volunteers will many different skill sets and skill levels are needed. Volunteers do not need construction experience.

From the moment the project starts, the construction teams will be working around the clock to ensure the home is completed in just one week. Advanced construction techniques will be utilized to accelerate the standard construction process, such as pre-framing all of the walls offsite and using concrete curing accelerant. However, the greatest gain will come from the large volume of man power through sponsors and volunteers.

And on September 12, the McElvain’s will be handed the keys to their new home.

More information about Extreme Build Lewis County can be found at www.renewlewiscounty.org.

About the Volunteer Center

The mission of the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties is to support volunteer efforts to address community needs; and inspire, engage, and mobilize volunteers. The Center accomplishes this mission by connecting people with opportunities to serve, offering volunteer management training and the promotion of volunteerism. The Center also provides more than 3,000 volunteer referrals per year, works with more than 250 nonprofit and public agencies in its service area and offers more than 650 volunteer opportunities through at www.volunteer.ws.

Furloughed State Workers to Give Day of Service

On their next furlough day, many state workers won’t just be taking a day off. They’ll be giving a Day of Service.

The Thurston County Steering Committee of the Combined Fund Drive, teaming with the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason, and Thurston Counties, is organizing a Day of Service cleanup event in downtown Olympia on August 6. They will be removing trash, digging weeds, and more to make downtown sparkle in the summer sun. All state employees – and all other interested volunteers – are invited to participate.

The idea first came from Valerie Pollet of the Medicaid Purchasing Administration at the Department of Social & Health Services. She said, “If this is affecting me and my coworkers in the pocketbook, and affecting the clients we serve, I wanted to do something to give back to the community. One thing led to another and this is the result.”

“The state employees involved are demonstrating that their commitment to public service remains strong even during difficult budget times,” said Sara Ballard, Executive Director of the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties. “The idea came from state employees, and the Volunteer Center is proud to help bring this project to life.”

Volunteers for the downtown cleanup should meet at the Heritage Park fountain, on 4th Avenue and Sylvester Street, at 9 AM. Participants are asked to bring their own gloves and plastic trash bags, and basic cleaning tools such as brooms if they can. For more information or to RSVP, call the Volunteer Center at 741-2622 or visit their website at www.volunteer.ws.

After the event, everyone is invited to come socialize and celebrate. From 2-5 PM, the Fish Bowl Brew Pub is offering half price pints of beer for participants.

The Day of Service is part of the Summer of Service, a series of volunteer activities from May 31 (Memorial Day) to September 11 (Day of Service and Remembrance), that address community renewal, education, environment and energy, health, and safety and security. For more details about this event and other volunteer opportunities, visit the website of the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties at www.volunteer.ws.

The mission of the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties is to support volunteer efforts to address community needs; and inspire, engage, and mobilize volunteers. The Center accomplishes this mission by connecting people with opportunities to serve, offering volunteer management training and the promotion of volunteerism.  The Center also provides more than 3,000 volunteer referrals per year, works with more than 250 nonprofit and public agencies in its service area and offers more than 650 volunteer opportunities through its Web site at www.volunteer.ws

Lamoreaux Reflects on 25 Years of Service

CHEHALIS – In April of 1985 when the Community Action Council was looking to expand its Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP) into Lewis County, Susan Lamoreaux was working temporarily as an intake person. Now 25 years later, she is retiring as the RSVP Coordinator for the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties.

“The variety of activities attracted me to this position and the whole concept of service was something that I grew up with so it was an easy thing to connect with and feel passionate about,” said Lamoreaux.

At the 25th annual RSVP recognition event held recently in Lewis, County, Susan was thanked for her dedication to the program and her years of hard work.

“We appreciate the leadership and commitment she has offered the RSVP program throughout the years and will definitely miss her influence at the Volunteer Center,” said Executive Director Sara Ballard.

Over the years Susan has worked with a number of volunteers and organizations that helped make the program stand out in Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties. Everything from RSVP members demonstrating products in a local grocery store to creating a Medi-Sense project with a team of volunteers who researched and educated people about the drug abuse/misuse issues, RSVP has helped seniors 55 and over to connect with their community in meaningful ways.

“A successful RSVP required that we reach out to, and form relationships with, organizations and to help them create respectful, challenging, productive volunteer positions. Then we were able to recruit volunteers to fill those positions,” said Lamoreaux.

For a quarter of a century, RSVP members have donated hundreds of thousands of hours to the community, through hundreds of organizations. For Lamoreaux, some of the most memorable people she worked with were those who really made volunteering their last career by taking on positions of responsibility and impact. One such person was Edna Bebee.

“She was the force down here in regards to SHIBA (Statewide Health Insurance Benefits Advisors—then called Senior Health Insurance Benefits Advisors), a program with trained volunteers who help others understand their Medicare supplemental health insurance or long-term care insurance choices. She had congestive heart failure and she was just so committed to the work that she did it in spite of her health,” said Lamoreaux.

Other volunteers exemplified the spirit of the RSVP program by demonstrating that service knows no age limit.

“Clara Carpenter was the mother of one of my first advisory council members. At 96 she left New York City where she had lived all her life and moved to Chehalis in an apartment near my office. She would come and help me on occasion with mailings. I learned from her how to efficiently seal half a dozen envelopes at a time,” said Lamoreaux.

“She was the kind of person whose way of greeting you made you feel like when you met her on the street, you had just made her day. She was my teacher for aging gracefully.”

Susan looks forward to taking time for her artwork, gardening, spending time with family, and continuing to volunteer with various projects throughout the area when she retires.

 

The mission of the Volunteer Center of Lewis, Mason and Thurston Counties is to support volunteer efforts to address community needs; and inspire, engage, and mobilize volunteers. The Volunteer Center accomplishes this mission by connecting people with opportunities to serve, offering volunteer management training and the promotion of volunteerism.  The Volunteer Center also provides more than 3,000 volunteer referrals per year, works with more than 250 nonprofit and public agencies in its service area and offers more than 650 volunteer opportunities through its Web site at www.volunteer.ws

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