INTRODUCTION

This Blog is being created to share information on service opportunities available in the McAuliffe School community. It is often difficult for students to find service opportunities and our goal is to assist them in their efforts. We desire our students to see service not as a requirement but as an action step in their learning and also as a new experience from which they may learn.

In order to organize the information the opportunities will be listed under the categories of People, Animals and Environment with an understanding that each of these categories overlap. We will also list service opportunities at McAuliffe School as this list becomes available. It is our suggestion that students seek opportunities from each category as well as in local and international communities.

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Courageous Sailing Center

Do you like sailing? Read on...........

Volunteer

Please Join us for our '09
Volunteer Weekend
April 18th & 19th!

To volunteer on the work weekend or any other time, please fill out our volunteer form or email John today! This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Courageous' first volunteer was Harry McDonough who summoned a small group of volunteers to get the resources and support necessary to create Courageous Sailing Center in 1987. Today, volunteers can help with a variety of tasks at Courageous, especially in preparation for the busy summer season. Courageous schedules "Work Parties" where volunteer work crews help Courageous prepare boats for the season, spruce up the boathouse, etc. Volunteers also contribute to our "Guest Coach" program and not only coach our racing program for a day but also talk about how sailing made a difference in their lives and careers.

Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Baypath's Bark in the Park- 9th Annual Dog Walk

Join us for Baypath's 9th Annual Dog Walk
Sunday, June 7, 2009 10:00 – 2:00


On Sunday, June 7th animal lovers and their pets will meet at the Hopkinton State Park to participate in one of our most fun-filled events of the year!!
Please join us for an afternoon of fun and games while helping raise funds to support the hundreds of animals that are relinquished to Baypath each year. “Bark in the Park” will be lots of fun for pets and people too! Check out some great Photos from last years walk!

Great Activites for all and a delicious Lunch on the grill!
Wonderful Raffle Prizes and Vendor Booths.
Meet our Alumni with some of our best adoption success stories!
Walk the scenic 1 or 3 mile route through the beautiful Hopkinton State Park to support the animals of Baypath! Registration: Adults $15, Kids $5, Teams $10



Getting Started!


When you Sign Up you will get your Own Personal Donation web page.
It's EASY and in a couple of minutes it's setup and ready to go!
You can set your Fundraising goal, Add a Picture, and personalize a message, and send Email requests to all of your friends, family and colleagues to Sponsor you!
You can bring in your daily email contact list from Outlook, Yahoo or Gmail!
Check your page often. It's so much FUN watching your personal fundraising goal thermometer go up towards your goal knowing you are helping the wonderful animals of Baypath!
Print a personalized Pledge to collect donations offline and add them to your online totals!
All walkers who raise $50 or more will get a free Baypath T-shirt!

Check back here to see the Live Top Fundraiser list. Our Top 3 Fundraisers will win a great prize (presented at the Walk). Let's get some competition going to see who will be Baypath's Top Fundraisers!
Would you like to sponsor a friend or family member? Click "Sponsor a Participant" above to find the person and/or team you would like to support.

Any Questions? Email jeffm@baypathhumane.org
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, March 31, 2009

Clay Center Activities Envirofestival

The Clay Center Observatory will be opening again for Tuesday public telescope nights beginning tonight, March 31. Please check the Clay Center web site for details and specific hours. www.claycenter.org.


This Sunday, April 5th, we will host our annual Envirofestival and E-Recycle event from 3 to 5 pm. Bring you old computers, electronics, CFL bulbs, cell phones, and TVs for recycling – free (except TVs are $10). Collect free tree seedlings to plant, a free energy saving light bulb, visit our high school student’s hands-on exhibits (great for children), and ride a Segway (electric 2-wheel vehicle). Details are on the Clay Center Web site.

Mark your calendars now for the not-to-miss annual National Astronomy Day celebration on Saturday, May 9th, from 3 to 10 pm. www.claycenter.org/astro. This is a wonderful family event with planetarium shows, laser light shows, telescopes, NASA ambassadors, guest speakers, Galileo visits, Segway rides, kite flying, rocket launches, etc., etc., etc.

Do you know a student entering 9th-12th grade who would like to get some real hands-on training on a very sophisticated research-grade telescope (yes, ours)? This summer we are offering a special high-school astronomy course geared to kids who want more than you can get in a text book. It will be taught by a Tufts University professor and one of our astronomers over a 4-week period this summer. Class size will be very limited, so sign up ASAP to reserve a spot. Details are on our web site, www.claycenter.org.

Amateur Radio and Electronics enthusiasts – we have a collection of old (almost antique) radio and electronics parts and equipment, vacuum tubes, oscilloscopes, and junk that we will sell for almost nothing (make us an offer). It will be on display tonight at the Tuesday telescope night and again on Sunday at the Envirofest. Anything left on Sunday at 5 pm will go on the recycle truck. See me (Bob Phinney) if you are interested.

Weather Enthusiasts – the Clay Center will host SKYWARN Weather Training on Saturday, April 18, from 11 am to 2 pm (bring your own lunch). This is a free public program on severe, violent, and unusual weather conditions. Rob Macedo, KD1CY, a 14-year veteran of the NWS SKYWARN program will be the presenter. This program is open to all and will be of particular interest to anyone who enjoys outside activities such as sports, camping, boating or is just interested in learning more about the weather.
Posted by at No comments:

Monday, March 23, 2009

Soles 4 Souls

Soles4Soles facilitates donations of shoes, which are used to aide the hurting worldwide. See the webpage
Posted by at No comments:

Thursday, March 5, 2009

Winter Walk 2009

Calling all students. Join together for a fun event to help end homelessness. Socialize with your friends, earn service points and represent your school during a 5 mile walk. MARCH 15 Sunday Register online@ www.winterwalk.org/register.htm Gather sponsors. Email Karen Bell at karenbell2220@verizon.net to coordinate meeting so that we can walk together.
Posted by at No comments:

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Land's Sake Maple Syrup Collection


A group of 6th graders got together on Saturday February 28th to help with syrup collection in Weston at Land's Sake. It is a great opportunity to connect with the products that trees provide for us and to do some work in the woods. Land's Sake has volunteer hours every other week from 9-12 on a Sat. morning. They can handle a group of about 10 people at a time. Any group that would like to get together can contact Dave Quinn dave@landssake.org and organize a time.
Posted by at No comments:

Puppy Raising or Volunteering for Canine Companions

CCI Puppy Raiser

Assistance Dogs Aren't Just Born, They're Raised

Information Day for People Interested in

Puppy Raising or Volunteering for

Canine Companions for Independence

Saturday, March 7 from 3-5pm at Especially for Pets, Sudbury

Canine Companions for Independence, CCI, is a nationwide, non-profit
organization that provides assistance dogs to people with disabilities other
than blindness. Volunteer puppy raisers provide these specially bred puppies
a safe home, take them to obedience classes, serve up a healthy diet,
provide socialization opportunities and give lots of love. Each hour spent
caring for a CCI puppy is vital to its development as a future assistance dog. The puppy
raising program provides a unique opportunity for volunteers to assist CCI
with its very important mission.

CCI, founded in 1975, is the largest assistance dog organization in the
world. They have placed over 2500 graduate teams from founding to date. CCI
has over 3000 active volunteers nationwide and five regional training
centers. They train four types of assistance dogs: service dogs (assist
adults with physical disabilities by performing daily tasks, hearing teams
(alert the deaf and hard of hearing to important sounds), skilled companion
teams (enhance independence for children and adults with physical, cognitive
and developmental disabilities) and facility teams (work with a professional
in a visitation, education or healthcare setting). For more information on
CCI, visit www.cci.org .

Please join us for a special presentation designed for Prospective Puppy
Raisers and Volunteers which will include:

*A panel discussion where puppy raisers describe their experiences.

*A presentation by a graduate team (assistance dog and their recipient).

*An informal meet and greet with puppy raisers, dogs and assistance dog
recipients.

*Presentation will be followed by a CCI Training Class at 5pm (which you are
welcome to observe).

*Volunteer opportunities that are available (public relations events, fairs,
fundraisers).

Please Register in Advance:

81 Union Ave

Sudbury, MA

978.443.7682

www.especiallyforpets.com
Posted by at No comments:
Subscribe to: Posts (Atom)

PEOPLE

LOCAL

NATICK’S OPEN DOOR

A Non-Profit All Volunteer Weekly Community Meal
Natick’s Open Door is an all volunteer organization which provides an evening meal to anyone who wishes to attend. The meals are prepared by volunteer civic, faith-based and neighborhood groups and are served every Thursday evening @ 5:00PM in Sherrill Hall at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church across from the fire department.

Prior to the meal a volunteer plays the piano and a group gets up and sings. The event is usually attended by 50-60 people of all ages who come to the Open Door for both the meal and the social aspect of the evening. Frequently school age youth volunteer to set up and clean up and fulfill some or all of their community service at the Open Door. There is also a group of 5-6 regular volunteers who manage the operation each week.
Support Contacts
Fred Witte (508) 353-2239 Cell (508) 647-6437 Work
Joan Bace (508) 380-7883 Cell (508) 655 1708 Home


Natick Food Pantry Collection

Organize donations to the Natick Food Pantry.
Patty Shaffer at 508-655-1791.

Natick Senior Center
The fall raking. Call Diane packer at (508)-647-6541 or e-mail at dpacker@natickma.org. She matches volunteers with seniors who are living at home but need help with leaf raking.

Birthday Wishes
Birthday Wishes is a program that organizes birthday parties for kids in homeless shelters. Get on their e-mail list and, one month before each birthday party, you’ll receive a list of ways you can help: baking and/or decorating a birthday cake, making party-favor bags, coming to the party and helping give out treats (fake tattoos, etc). Whatever skill or interest you have, they can use you! To help at a homeless shelter near you, visit www.birthdaywishes.org and get on their email list.

Bristol Lodge Soup Kitchen, Waltham. Help serve meals to families. Sunday is a
great time, but help is needed other times as well. Contact Dick Rogers, (781) 883- 2050.

Perkins School for the Blind, Watertown. The Perkins School offers wonderful tours all year round (call 617 972-7224). If your child goes on this tour and gets excited to help out, s/he can inquire with Molly Campbell: 617 972-7520. Molly helps design learning devices for Perkins kids. Perkins also needs help sorting audio cassettes in their library. An hour every week or every other week would be most welcome.

Cradles to Crayons
Volunteer to host a used toy recycling drive or help sort donations and fill orders for needs. 

http://cradlestocrayons.org/2/content/view/28/111/

International 


Pennies for Peace: This organization was started by Greg Mortenson (see is story inThree Cups of Tea) after his failed attempt to climb the second tallest mountain in the world, K2. The mission is to focus on community-based education, especially for girls. This program is a wonderful way to learn about Pakistan and Afghanistan. The program focus on the power of kids to make a difference one penny at a time.
Idea: start a penny campaign Contact page: www.penniesforpeace.org


ENVIRONMENT

LOCAL

Marking Storm Drains
Learn about the storm drains in your community. Get together with a group of 3 friends and an adult and help your town mark the storm drains and educate the community. You get to spray paint!!

Contact information: Town of Natick: DPW
(more information Kathy Lee leekn@bc.edu)

Trash pick-up
Spend time picking up trash and putting it in the trash
Areas around playgrounds, schools and public spaces always need a clean-up. Don’t forget areas around lakes or water in your neighborhood. You can help the habitat and the local animals.


Waltham Fields Community Farm, Waltham. Help grow food to give to local food
pantries. Help is needed Sundays 10 – 4, and/or on weekdays. No experience
necessary: orientations offered regularly. Visit www.communityfarms.org for more
information, or contact Derek Christianson: (781) 899-2403.

Land’s Sake is a community farm in Weston (www.landssake.org, 781 893-1162).

Newton's Green Decade Coalition is an environmental organization.
Students for A Greener World (SGW) became the Green Decade’s first
student committee in 2007, with volunteers from the middle schools and high schools.SGW help the Green Decade reach out to kids of all ages and to help them learn and practice environmentally friendly actions at home, school -- and have fun doing it!http://www.greendecade.org/kgg_sgw.html

Charles River Watershed Association Volunteer to help clean up the Charles River.
http://www.crwa.org/volunteer.html


INTERNATIONAL

TAP Project:
UNICEF project to provide safe water and sanitation in schools and communities.
6,000 children die every day around the world because of the lack of clean water. We live in a culture that we take clean water for granted.
Idea: At the next soccer game or basketball game have a group of friends sell cold water bottles and donate the proceeds to the TAP project. Remember to provide a place to recycle the bottles.

Contact information: http://www.tapproject.org/

ANIMALS

LOCAL

Baypath Humane Society, Hopkington

• Walk a dog or help look after the cats. Help is needed weekdays and weekends 8-10 a.m. or 3-5 pm. This is a great way to help take care of the animals in our community.
• Organize a dog wash to benefit the humane society
• Help collect food, beds and other items from the shelter wish list

Contact information: Brenda Holloran Donald from the webpage:
http://www.baypathhumane.org/index.php


Metrowest Humane Society, Framingham/ Ashland
This shelter is cats only.
• They need help with the Trap Neuter Return sites in Framingham and Ashland. The shelter supplies the food and you stop by the site once a week. Contact person: Sue Budge
• Help clean the shelter and socialize with the cats. Contact person:

Webpage: http://www.webpaws.com/mwhs/volunteer.htmlBroadmoor Wildlife Sanctuary
Habitat Restoration: Clear brush and invasive plant species with hand tools a.m. til non Most Saturdays November through April. Sat. April 25th there will be a large cleanup organized. For details on meeting location and specific information contact: broadmoorprograms@massaudubon.org

Save-a-Dog: This organization has regular weekend “meet and greet” events to adopt
out dogs from their Natick (Petco) location. Student help is most welcome! Visit
www.saveadog.com; click on “volunteering.”

Stray Pets in Need (SPIN), Wellesley (http://www.straypetsinneed.info/). One student
organized her own flea market to raise money for this animal shelter.
She invited friends to sell crafts they had made and charged admission to
buyers and to the sellers. Sellers kept their profits (except for those who wanted to
donate them to SPIN), and the admission fees all went to SPIN. SPIN dropped off
pamphlets and a donation box for the flea market.

MSPCA (Mass. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), Jamaica Plain. MSPCA is a shelter for all kinds of animals. They need clean blankets and towels, toys, and pet
food.


INTERNATIONAL

Chimpanzee Guardians:
There are as few as 200,000 chimpanzees left in the wild. The Jane Goodall Institute works to put an end to the commercial bushmeat trade and also runs the Tchimpounga Sanctuary, an orphanage for chimps where they can receive proper nutrition and survival training. At the orphanage guardians have to carry the baby chimps around all day and care for them. Raise money to become a chimp guardian.
Idea: get some small chimp or monkey stuffed animals and make up birth certificates for them. Teach others how to adopt one and then sell them with proceeds going to the orphanage in Africa.
Contact page: http://www.janegoodall.org/chimp_guardian/default.asp

Jane Goodall became famous for her study of the endangered chimpanzees.
Follow the work in the field: http://www.janegoodall.org/gombe-chimp-blog/