Be kind. 2020 was a rocky year, and 2021 continues along a rutted and bumpy path.
However, there are people who strive to make life a little smoother, less agitated.
For some volunteers seeking to help in rough situations, it all starts with a pledge:
I will get things done for America to make our people safer, smarter, and healthier.
I will bring Americans together to strengthen our communities.
Faced with apathy, I will take action.
Faced with conflict, I will seek common ground.
Faced with adversity, I will persevere.
I will carry this commitment with me this year and beyond.
I am an AmeriCorps member, and I will get things done.
AmeriCorp members and Volunteer West Virginia became highly visible partners in the Greenbrier Valley’s recovery effort following the 2016 flood.
The Be Kind COVID-19 campaign began last year to provide aid during the pandemic.
“Volunteer West Virginia provided mini-grants to local organizations to host COVID-19 related volunteer projects. The goal of the campaign was to safely engage volunteers and promote kindness throughout the state,” explains the group’s 2020 annual report. “The response to the mini-grant program was overwhelming. In total, Volunteer West Virginia granted $14,000 to host 44 volunteer projects.”
A portion of that funding helped many local endeavors.
Greenbrier County children received bee-themed masks sewn and delivered by volunteers with the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine as part of the “Be Safe, Be Happy, and Be Kind project. These face coverings also came with education on the importance of wearing a mask and being kind.
LifeBridge AmeriCorps members Thomas Ruggiero and Katie Barnes delivered meals in Lewisburg.
Cheryl Workman distributed masks and meals at the Hub Student Cafe.
Senior citizens in Monroe County were given Blessing Bags assembled and delivered by members of the Retired Senior Volunteer Program. This project was organized by the United Way of Central West Virginia.
Patricia Beasley, an Education Alliance AmeriCorps VISTA at Peterstown Preservation Group, served more than 3,000 meals to students in Monroe County.
Monroe students were also treated to storytime by AmeriCorps members serving with Energy Express.
The Hinton Historic Landmarks Commission spread kindness by hosting a community litter cleanup and wellness day.
Statewide, Boy Scouts of America Troop #152 packaged note card kits used by volunteers to send 500 handwritten cards to nursing home residents.
Blessing Boxes began to appear in numerous places throughout two counties by way of Community Connections, Inc., a Volunteer Generation Fund grantee.
“Through a partnership with Volunteer West Virginia, Community Connections, with the help of staff and volunteers, purchased and installed fifteen Blessing Boxes throughout Mercer County and one in Summers County. These boxes are filled with nonperishable food items and the motto is: ‘Take what you need, Give what you can,’” according to the annual report. “Through the generosity of volunteers, faith-based organizations, civic groups, collegiate groups, first responders, law enforcement, and local leaders, Community Connections keep the boxes stocked with food products. Many volunteers and nonprofits took note of this creative project and now Blessing Boxes can be found throughout the state!”
The Volunteer West Virginia 2020 Annual Report notes that “During the COVID-19 pandemic, AmeriCorps members continue to serve West Virginia in many creative ways. From sewing masks to delivering hot meals, AmeriCorps members are there to help.”
Over the past year AmeriCorp contributed to 52,361 meals served; 173,443 pounds of food collected; 6,321 hours spent on COVID-19 relief activities; and 32,966 donations collected, including food, note cards for seniors, masks, and hand sanitizer.
Volunteer West Virginia, the lead agency for volunteerism and AmeriCorps, administers $3 million in federal, state, and local funding for AmeriCorps and volunteer programs across the state each year. The organization is guided by a bipartisan board of commissioners, who are appointed by the state governor.
Volunteer West Virginia makes it easier to volunteer, provides funding and support to AmeriCorps programs, and supports and strengthens West Virginia’s nonprofits and volunteer programs.
“In 2020, COVID-19 became our reality” writes Julie Keehner, board chair for Volunteer West Virginia. “We all know we have faced tremendous challenges, but Volunteer West Virginia has moved forward in progressive and innovative ways. Various staff members stepped up and did Herculean work. We are all proud of and impressed by their efforts and success. And we are most thankful.”
Visit volunteer.wv.gov) to learn about AmeriCorps positions, volunteer opportunities, and grant and training opportunities.
Volunteer West Virginia also oversees the Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) and ReadyWV programs, offering plenty of opportunities to “be kind” by helping to make “people safer, smarter, and healthier.”
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