It’s time for our next VCS TweetUp! This one will benefit our BirthdayMAGIC program, which provides birthday parties for homeless children here in the Sacramento area.

Participants will be decorating birthday cards and goodie bags for upcoming birthday parties.

We also ask all attendees to bring a toy or party supply item for our BirthdayMAGIC Closet. (Please new toys only, but party supplies can be new or gently used).

Beer, nibbles, and tons of fun will be provided!

Click here to RSVP. We hope to see you there!

The Volunteer Center of Sacramento is seeking project submissions that will engage Sacramento youth in volunteer service for Global Youth Service Day (GYSD). We are inviting non-profits, government departments, schools, and community groups to assist us in providing youth opportunities to serve during GYSD weekend, April 20 – April 22.

What is Global Youth Service Day?

Global Youth Service Day (GYSD) is an annual campaign that celebrates and mobilizes the millions of children and youth who improve their communities each day of the year through service and service-learning. Established in 1988, Global Youth Service Day is the largest service event in the world, and the only day of service dedicated to children and youth. GYSD is celebrated each year in over 100 countries.

When is GYSD?

GYSD weekend is Friday, April 20 -Sunday, April 22.

Why participate in GYSD?

Connect with youth leaders around the world! GYSD is the largest service event in the world, so your project is part of a global movement, a movement that includes young people around the world who are leading and participating in thousands of projects to address local, national, and global issues.

Make an impact! GYSD is the only day of service focused on mobilizing and training youth as leaders who identify and address community needs through service and service-learning and educate the public, the media, and policymakers about the year-round contributions of young people as community leaders.

Celebrate and strengthen your work! GYSD is an opportunity to recruit more volunteers, form new partnerships, secure additional funding, raise awareness of the issue or your work, and celebrate your achievements.

How do I get involved?

To submit a volunteer project, please contact Katrina Balcius, Volunteer Services Coordinator at kbalcius@volunteersac.org or 916.567.3100 x112

Change the World on Global Youth Service Day 2012!

Interested in becoming more involved with the Volunteer Center of Sacramento? Then please join us for our Open House on Wednesday, January 18th from 5:30-7:30pm at VCS, 1300 Ethan Way, #600, Sacramento. Meet and greet Board and staff and learn more about how you can get involved with VCS’ Board and various committees. Please RSVP to info@volunteersac.org by Tuesday, January 17th.

The Volunteer Center of Sacramento has recently updated its Holiday Volunteer Guide for 2011.

Click here for a full listing of volunteer opportunities to help you give back from Turkey Day to New Year’s and beyond!

Happy Holidays!

Please support The Volunteer Center of Sacramento and vote for us in the Chase Community Giving contest! Click the image to vote for us now!

Jack Ross Williams from Make-A-Wish Foundation of Sacramento!  Jack has been a devoted Board member since 2007 and has participated in many areas of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He has been a donor, a wish granter, a business owner, a contributor, and an inspiration to everyone who meets him. His leadership and compassion for children and families in difficult situations is heartwarming and commendable.

Congratulations to all our winners:

VOY Supporting Seniors: Bob Foss – Society for the Blind

VOY Supporting Children & Youth: Hilda Curry – Foster Grandparents Program

VOY Supporting Arts & Recreation: Yolanda Moore – Sacramento Food Bank

VOY Supporting Health Care: Angela Lee – First Call Home Care & Hospice

VOY Supporting Animals: Alistair Fortson – Folsom Zoo Sanctuary

VOY Helping Those Less Fortunate: Karen Thomas – Sacramento Public Library

VOY Group (3+): The Soldiers Project

VOY Supporting the Environment: LeRoy Munsch – Fulton-El Camino Recreation & Parks District

Youth Volunteer of the Year: Catalina Rodriguez – UCP of Sacramento

Board Member of the Year: Rex Bennett – Sacramento Habitat for Humanity

Civic Organization of the Year: Reading Partners

Corporate Volunteerism: Aerojet

Volunteer Coordinator of the Year: Janice Wagaman – SAEHC

Heart of Gold: Dorothy Michaelis – Mercy San Juan Medical Center

Problem Solver of the Year:  Cliff Popejoy – Sacramento Habitat for Humanity

Salt of the Earth: Joan Gamble – Bristol Hospice

Ray of Light: Richard Johnson – Sacramento Habitat for Humanity

The Volunteer Spirit Awards is Sacramento’s largest volunteer recognition ceremony based solely on the volunteers who change and improve our community, and it’s time to nominate your outstanding  volunteer!

This year we’ve made it easier than ever to nominate. You can download the nomination form here or submit online here by Friday, October 7 at 5pm.

There is no better way to thank an amazing volunteer than to treat them to a delicious lunch, give them a personalized engraved award, and publicly say thank you for all their hard work. Nominate and let them know you care!

Remember, volunteers include all kinds of people, positions, activities, and groups. We have 19 volunteer categories available for nomination:

• Supporting Seniors
• Supporting Children
• Supporting Arts & Recreation
• Supporting Health Care
• Supporting Animals
• Supporting Those Less Fortunate
• Supporting Environment
• Group Volunteers of the Year
• Youth Volunteer of the Year ($500 Scholarship)
• Board Member of the Year
• Civic Organization of the Year
• Corporate Volunteerism
• Volunteer Coordinator of the Year
• Heart of Gold Volunteer
• Problem Solver of the Year
• Salt of the Earth Volunteer
• Ray of Light Volunteer
• Lifetime Achievement

Contact us at info@volunteersac.org or 916-567-3100 with questions or for more information.

See you at the 2011 Volunteer Spirit Awards!

Friday, October 28

11:30am – 1:30pm

Arden Hills Resort Club & Spa

Our Family Volunteer Summer Projects were such a hit that we decided to incorporate the series year round! That means every second Saturday of the month, the Volunteer Center will host family friendly volunteer projects for you and your little ones to give back to the community, and have fun as a family. We’ll keep you posted on upcoming projects. In the meantime, here are some pictures from events at Harvest Sacramento, RAFT, and Volunteer of America’s Operation Backpack.

The Volunteer Spirit Awards nomination forms are done! Email us at info@volunteersac.org or click on the Spirit Awards link to get your form. Deadline is Friday, Oct 7. Nominate your favorite volunteer today!