Michele’s Volunteer View: Volunteer Day on the Way

After months of planning, it’s hard to believe that DRI2017 and Volunteer Day are just seven weeks away. We are very excited to bring together our Certified Professionals in Las Vegas to offer our time and resources to assist two amazing groups.

Half Day: Three Square
3-squareThree Square is a food bank dedicated to providing wholesome food to hungry people while passionately pursuing a hunger-free community. Volunteers will be working in the Volunteer Room, which is the central operational support for all programs and services. Volunteers will be involved in activities including, but not limited to, produce and grocery packing for individuals who receive meal assistance and mobile pantries; sorting and packing donated food and non-food items; and office support. You may be standing, bending, lifting, and walking on concrete in non-climate controlled areas.

Full Day: Veterans Village
veterans-village-logoVeterans Village is a transitional and permanent housing residence for U.S. veterans. Volunteers will be doing light construction and will primarily be responsible for painting veterans’ apartment units.

Information has already gone out to those who have registered, but here is a lot of what you need to know about the day.

Is it too late to participate?
No way, you still have time to join in! Volunteer Day is on Saturday, Feb. 25. Visit driconference.org to register or, if you have already registered for the conference and want to add Volunteer Day, you can contact me to do so.

When do we check in?
Visit Conference Registration in Carson Tower at the Golden Nugget on Feb. 25 between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m. This is where you will pick up your t-shirts and any other items pertinent to the day.

When will we be picked up?
Buses will pick up volunteers at 8:00 a.m. sharp outside the Carson Tower lobby at the Golden Nugget.

Volunteer Day Hours
Full Day at Veterans Village is 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Half Day at Three Square is 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.

Meals
Three Square volunteers: breakfast will be served; lunch will be on your own following the completion of Volunteer Day

Veterans Village volunteers: breakfast will be on your own prior to the start of Volunteer Day. Options at the Golden Nugget for breakfast include Starbucks, Claim Jumper and The Grille. Lunch will be provided by the DRI Foundation at Veterans Village.

Beverages will be sponsored by Coca-Cola, so you will enjoy soft drinks and Dasani water by our sponsor.

Dress Code

  • No dangling jewelry
  • Pants or knee-length shorts
  • T-shirts – nothing low cut, no midriff, no tank tops
  • Closed-toe shoes

Waiver
All volunteers must sign a waiver with the DRI Foundation prior to the start of the day. You will also be asked to sign a separate waiver from Three Square and/or Veterans Village. These will be provided on-site at the volunteer locations.

My three calls to action this month:

1 – If you have not already registered for Volunteer Day, please do so. We still have some slots open and it is a very rewarding experience – not to mention a great deal of fun!

2 – Consider making a donation to the DRI Foundation and our mission. And if you work for a corporation, chances are they will match your donation to a specific charity. Even if you are not giving a large sum of money, don’t underestimate your power of giving, especially when it is multiplied with a matching gift. No donation is too small, and all donations make a huge impact for the Foundation in helping us to achieve our mission. You can donation online now at: https://drii.org/donation/

3 – Donate a gift. The DRI Foundation is seeking donations of snacks for Volunteer Day at DRI2017. If you or your organization can help with this effort, please contact me at mostler@drii.org.

 

See you in Las Vegas!

Michele Ostler
DRI Foundation
Chair of Volunteerism