Spring 2008 Service Project Information

Spring 2008 Project Information

Listed alphabetically by project title

Adopt a Highway

What: A group of students go out to APO's adopted highway and collects trash along the road. Trash bags, reflective vests, and gloves are provided.

When: 2 times each semester TBA (1-2 service credit hours)

Where: Meet at the Rec Center.

Association for Retarded Citizens (ARC) of Greater Williamsburg

What: APO volunteers make friends and assist mentally and physically disabled adults during social, fitness, and other activities.

When: Usually a couple times a week from 6:30pm to 9:00pm (2.5 service credit hours). There are also special events that you can sign up for and receive service credit. Watch announcements for specific weekly times.

Where: Meet on the UC steps a little before 6:30pm to get a ride. Project head will e-mail you with the exact meeting time.

Project Head Contact Information: cdelle

Avalon

What: Avalon is a crisis shelter for survivors of domestically-battered and sexually-abused women and children. APO volunteers usually help with childcare, but they also help with the 24-hour helpline and office duties at Avalon.
When: Monday, Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Meet at 6:00pm, drive to Avalon, volunteer from 6:30 to 7:30. Volunteers help with childcare during these days and times. (1.5 to 2 hours of service credit).

Where: Meet on the UC Steps.

Project Head Contact Information: scrums

Other Important Information about this Project: It is really important to volunteer with this project consistently because the kids get very attached. To volunteer with the help-line, you must complete a weekend training session. No training is required to help with childcare, but it is recommended. All volunteers will also have two background checks. There are no fees for college students who volunteer. Contact project head before participating, so she can be sure there are enough rides.

Blood Drive

What: Brothers assist the Red Cross volunteers and workers in running campus blood drives. Student volunteers help with donor registration, attend to donors' needs while they are donating, or staff the canteen.

When: Usually twice each semester. You receive service credit for the number of hours you volunteer, and you receive two hours of credit for donating blood.

Where: Either upstairs in the UC or in Trinkle Hall.

Project Head Contact Information: ltmusk

Books for Africa

What: APO volunteers collect books from around the campus to send to Africa.  Some of the books cannot be sent directly to Africa.  These are sold on the Better World Books website, and the money earned is used to purchase books for African libraries.

When: Project head will let you know when this project will take place. (1 to 4 service credit hours)

Where: Meet at the Escort House (on Jamestown Road across from the Jamestown dorms).

Project Head Contact Information: djnycz

Other Important Information about This Project: Let project head know that you are coming beforehand, since only a certain number of people can be in the escort house at one time.  

Boys and Girls Club

What: APO volunteers go out to the Boys and Girls Club of Newport News to play games with the kids, and give the hardworking volunteers there a breather.
When: TBA
Where: Volunteers usually meet at the UC Steps sometime in the early afternoon to drive to Newport News. Because of that, we'd love people who can drive to bring their cars.
Project Head Contact Info: jbmyer, achutc
Other Important Information about This Project: Before your first afternoon of helping with Boys and Girls Clubs, volunteers fill out paper work for a minor background check, but the project heads will have the forms for volunteers before leaving. Contact project head to be sure you will have a ride to volunteer. Also, if you can drive a car, it would be great for you to bring it with you.

Campus Kitchen at William and Mary

What: Brothers package and transport surplus food from local restaurants to a local women’s shelter.

When: Beginning the first week of February: Monday 8pm-10pm (cooking); Tuesday 3pm-5pm (delivery); Thursday 9am-10:30am (help with food pick-up); Thursday 8pm-10pm (cooking shift); Friday 3pm-5pm (delivery)

Where: Primarily the Caf (or “Commons”)

Project Head Contact Information: smwink, jjgimb

Other Important Information about This Project: To sign up for a shift, go to http://www.wm.edu/so/campuskitchensproject/ and click “Volunteer”. Shifts are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis (no pun intended). Or contact djvill to be added to the listserv.

Dream Catchers

What: This is a therapeutic horseback riding center for children with physical or cognitive disabilities. Volunteers can be sidewalkers or leaders (leaders usually need experience with horses).

When: Training session is coming up. Email project head for more information. Schedules are based on a personal schedule (and coordinated with transportation).

Where: Dream Catchers Therapeutic Riding Center in Williamsburg, VA

Project Head Contact Information: vrzakr

Other Important Information about This Project: Training is provided. Application and waiver need to be filled out beforehand. Brothers need to be regularly committed to this project.

Escort

What: Escort is a service APO provides the entire campus community. It keeps students safe at night by escorting them from one location to another either by golf cart or on foot.
When: Sunday thru Thursday A-shift 9pm-11pm, B-shift 11pm-1am; Friday & Saturday A-shift 9pm-11:30, B- shift 11:30-2am

Where: The SA/Escort House (404 Jamestown Road across from the Jamestown Dorms and Barksdale Field).

Project Head Contact Information: majohn, APOCampusEscort

Other Important Information about This Project: As a brother, you are required to complete 2 weekend shifts at Escort. Pledges must be trained at Escort and they cannot drive the cart with non-APO passengers. The cart cannot be driven in rain, sleet, or snow – instead we walk. The cart must be charged after returning from runs. Runs can only be made on campus which includes Ludwell but not the Law School. While we make runs, do your best to stay on the sidewalk. Please remember to give proper information, as radios are monitored.

Freshmen Move-In

What: APO volunteers help students and their parents move into the freshmen dorms.

When: Freshmen Move-In Day (4 or 5 hours of service credit)

Where: Freshmen dorms around campus.

Project Head Contact Information: rflowd

Other Important Information about This Project: Volunteers move in early (the day before the freshmen arrive, which is usually about 4 days before fall classes begin).

Gone to the Dogs Animal Shelter

What: APO volunteers go out once a week to Charles City to work directly with dogs that need love and attention. Walking and playing with the dogs is a vital part of their recovery from their usually inhumane life before arriving at the shelter. In addition to working with the dogs volunteers also help with the upkeep of the property which includes moving materials, cleaning, and reorganizing.

When: Most Saturday Mornings at 8:30am.

Where: Meet at the UC Terrace Saturdays at 8:30am.

Project Head Contact Information: aseich

Other Important Information about This Project: More information can be found at www.gonetodogs.com. Must contact project head before going.

Heritage Humane Society

What: APO volunteers go out on their own schedule to Heritage Humane Society in Williamsburg to walk and socialize dogs, and socialize cats. This does wonders for the animals there that are cooped up in a cage all day. In addition to working directly with the animals, volunteers also help with the upkeep of the property and general housekeeping.

When: On the volunteer’s own schedule

Where: The Heritage Humane Society

Project Head Contact Information: aseich

Other Important Information about This Project: Volunteers must take a one hour orientation class before volunteering.

Hillel Co-project

What: Brothers will help homeless families through various events

When: TBA

Where: TBA

Project Head Contact Information: mtzara

Other Important Information about This Project: This project is still in its planning stages. If you’d like to help plan, contact project head, but be on the lookout for more specific information in the next month or so.

Housing Partnerships

What: APO volunteers repair and build homes for disadvantaged locals in the area. Volunteers paint, clean, and work with wood and cement.

When: weekly/semi-weekly, 9am Saturdays, lasting until 1 or 2. (5 hours of service credit)

Where: Meet on the PBK steps Saturday mornings at 8 or 9am.

Project Head Contact Information: naburg or eadenn

Other Important Information About This Project: Contact project heads to sign-up. Training is required.

James Blair Middle School Tutoring

What: APO volunteers tutor middle school students in several subjects during and after the school day on a weekly basis.

When: Tutoring shifts on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays

Where: Meet on the UC steps to get a ride to James Blair Middle School.

Project Head Contact Information: igmuno or mromal

Other Important Information about This Project: Tutors should sign up for a shift or shifts that they can commit to consistently. E-mail project head with questions or if you can be a driver.

Matthew Whaley Elementary School Tutoring

What: Matthew Whaley is an elementary school in Colonial Williamsburg. APO brothers (along with volunteers from other groups) tutor 3^rd through 5^th grade Kid’s Club students in mathematics, reading, and Virginia Standards of Learning practice work.
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45pm to 5:15pm (1.5 hours of service credit).
Where: Meet on the DoG Street side of the Wren Building at 3:30pm on Tuesdays and/or Thursdays to walk over as a group.
Project Head Contact Information: mhbyrn and kdbarr
Other Important Information about This Project: Volunteers don't need to bring anything, and anyone is welcome to participate. As long as the volunteers are at the DoG Street side of the Wren Building by 3:45pm, they can come!

Middle School Dance Chaperoning

What: This project serves local middle schools by providing chaperones for middle school dances. You earn 2-4 hours of service at each event. Last year we didn’t just monitor the dance floor, we also helped with refreshments and ran carnival games or karaoke.

When: Friday February 15^th, 2008

Where: Toano and James Blair Middle Schools

Project Head Contact Information: ceneid

Relay for Life/Colleges For Cancer

What: Colleges for Cancer is a team event to support the American Cancer Society. The APO team camps out on a field and walks laps around a track for one night. Money that is raised is used to support cancer research and patient services.

When: The actual event is the evening of April 4 to the morning of April 5. (11 service hours if you stay the whole night) For now, brothers participate in fundraising projects. Watch for news about upcoming events.

Where: The event is on Busch Soccer Field.

Project Head Contact Information: majohn, mcruss

Other Important Information about This Project: Being a member of the team involves attending meetings and helping with fundraising events throughout the semester, then participating in the overnight event! Being on the fundraising committee also gets you committee credit!

Rita Welsh Adult Literacy Center

What: APO volunteers primarily tutor adults in English, but may be asked to tutor in basic math or computer skills.

When: During a weekly 1-1.5 hour time slot after you have participated in a 1.5 hour training session. Email rwalp@wm.edu for more information.

Where: Bryan Hall basement

Other Important Information about This Project: You must attend a 1.5 hour training session before volunteering. Email rwalp@wm.edu to get a training schedule.

Ronald McDonald Can Tab Collection

What: The Ronald McDonald House is a home-away-from-home for out-of-town families being treated for cancer and other serious illness and injury in the Richmond-area hospitals. Throughout the semester, brothers collect can tabs in order to support this great cause. Tabs from both aluminum cans (such as soda) and food cans (cat food, soup, etc.) can be used.

When: TBA

Where: TBA

Project Head Contact Information: mxbusu

Soldiers’ Angels

What: APO volunteers write and send letters to soldiers in the Middle East.

When: Sometimes a social is offered for brothers to gather and write letters together, but most brothers write letters on their own time.

Where: Wherever you like to write letters!

Project Head Contact Information: cmhunt, jaclam

Other Important Information about This Project: Each letter counts for a half hour (.5 hours) of service.

Special Olympics Swimming

What: Brothers aid in coaching and supporting special needs children and adults in swimming.
When: Saturday 10:40am - 12 noon (1.5 hours of service credit each week)
Where: Meet on the UC steps at 10:40am to get a ride over to the James City County Recreation Center.
Project Head Contact Information: klaust

Other Important Information about This Project: The swimmers really begin to depend on seeing the volunteers every week. Just come ready to get in the water and play. No experience is necessary... just a love of the water and a willingness to help. E-mail project head before participating so they can make sure there are enough rides. Also, feel free to e-mail them with any questions.

Ushering

What: Approximately 10 people are needed for each of the concert performances held throughout the year. Brothers dress nicely and pass out programs, collect tickets, and assist guests as needed.
When: Evenings, announced (1. 5 hours of service credit)
Where: Meet at the Phi Beta Kappa Hall entrance.
Project Head Contact Information: adcock
Other Important Information about This Project: You get to stay for the performance for free after helping usher. Email project head to sign up and to receive any special instructions.

Williamsburg Landing Nursing Home

What: APO volunteers go to Williamsburg Landing once a week for an hour and hang out with the senior citizens 

When: Fridays 2pm  (1 hour of service credit)

Where: Meet at the UC terrace at 2:00pm to get a ride.

Project Head Contact Information:  bcmino

Other Important Information About This Project: Contact project head so they can make sure there are enough cars

William and Mary News

What: APO members deliver the W&M News publication to buildings on and around campus.
When: Four Thursdays per semester (You can get at least 1 service hour, even if it doesn't take you the whole hour.)
Where: Meet at the Lambert House at 3:30. Bring a car if you have it, but there are a lot of routes where you can just walk!
Project Head Contact Info.: bsbrom

Other Important Information about the Project: It not only builds character, but builds muscle, too!

YMCA

What: APO volunteers play with kids (infant-5yrs), who are in the YMCA daycare program. This usually consists of playing with them outside on the playground or watching movies with them inside if the weather is bad.

When: Fridays at 3:30pm-5:30pm or 5:45pm. (2 hours of service credit)

Where: Meet on the UC steps at 3:45pm to get a ride.

Project Head Contact Information: spgiov, cvstru

Other Important Information about This Project: Please email project heads before you go so they can arrange all necessary transportation!

Youth Sports Coaching (Soccer)

What: Brothers volunteer in groups to coach a youth intramural sports team for the fall or spring season.

When: Practice is once a week, and games on Saturday mornings.

Where: Coaches are assigned a day of the week and given a game schedule by the director. Coaches may work with the director to come up with the best day/time for practice based on the availability of the fields.

Project Head Contact Information: jddone, lbslou

Other Important Information about This Project: This project is generally a semester commitment and requires regular attendance.