MiddAction
Weekly Volunteer Service Opportunities
“Like” EIA Civic Engagement’s Facebook page here to receive opportunities and updates!
Deadline March 4th: Apply to participate in the Spring Break Friends for Burma/Middlebury
Alternative Breaks Trip
Interested in cross-cultural experiences, education, human rights, or community service? Student service initiative Friends for Burma will be leading a Middlebury Alternative Break (MAlt) trip to do in-depth work with the Burmese refugee community in Burlington. Students will stay with Burmese families and do educational projects including teaching English, cooking, citizenship lessons, and activities with the kids. More information and short application here.
Trip dates: March 23 – 26. Participant Fee: $25
Get trained to volunteer at the Charter House Homeless Shelter
Training Date and Time: Thursday, March 7th 6:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Location: Ross Basement B11
The Charter House housing facility serves as an emergency home staffed 24/7 by trained volunteers who provide a warm, welcoming environment for families in stress. Attend this training to learn more about volunteering at the Charter House. Contact Adam Schiff, aschiff@middlebury.edu if you have any questions or would like to be notified of future training dates.
March 4th College Defensive Driving Class [Required to drive campus vehicles!]
This program is required for anyone who wishes to rent a College passenger or 15-passenger vehicle. If you might want to use a campus vehicle for volunteering spring semester get prepared by taking this class! There is no cost for the class but a driving orientation (a 1 hour review on the road) is required for 15-passenger Vans and larger vehicles. Class time is about 2 Hrs. REMINDER: A valid state license is required to take the class. Individuals wanting a 15-Passenger Van license must have 3 years of driving experience. To sign up email Ed Sullivan, Sullivan@middlebury.edu.
Upcoming class: March 4th 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., Mitchell Green Lounge (next class won’t happen until April!)
Daffodil Days
Welcome spring and support the American Cancer Society by purchasing daffodils! Order your bouquets at go/boxoffice by Tuesday, March 5th! Support the ACS further its research, education, advocacy, and service programs by participating in this annual fundraiser! These beautiful spring flowers will be sure to brighten anyone’s day, and represent hope to many cancer patients! An email will be sent out about when flowers will arrive to McCullough the week of March 18th.
Habitat for Humanity Build Saturday 3/9
Join Habitat for their Saturday Build on March 9th. There will be a shift from 8:45 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. and a shift from 12:45 p.m. – 4:15 p.m. (departing from Adirondack Circle). Volunteers should wear clothes they don’t mind getting dirty or paint-stained! Sign up to participate here! Questions? Contact humanity@middlebury.edu.
Page One Literacy Project: Dr. Seuss Pajama Party!
Tuesday March 5th, 6 – 7:30PM
Ilsley Public Library
Come celebrate Dr. Seuss’s birthday with Page One Literacy Project and the Ilsley Public Library! On Tuesday March 5th from 6-7:30PM, Page One and the library will be sponsoring a fun evening of games and crafts for children of all ages. Looking for volunteers that love reading, working with children, and having fun! Questions? Contact pageone@middlebury.edu.
Interested in art, photography, or computer sciences? Like to help others?
The Boys and Girls Club of Greater Vergennes is looking for a few college volunteers to help with an upcoming Clay-Mation project. Students in grades 5-8 will be working to make a Clay-Mation short film, and will need help with photography, editing, designing—you name it! No formal experience necessary, only a willingness to help out and have fun. Transportation available, and additional support as needed! For more information, please contact Nestor Martinez at nmartinez@middlebury.edu or at 802.443.3010.
Summer Internship Highlight: Addison County Poverty Internships
10 week paid internships with the Open Door Clinic, John Graham Homeless Shelter, Addison County Council Against Domestic and Sexual Violence
Application Deadline: March 11
Apply on MOJO: Go/mojo, more information listed here
Mentors for high school students needed!
Middlebury Union High School is launching its mentoring program. Pairing high school freshmen with college students, the program will be the first of its kind in Vermont! Pairs will meet weekly to do a variety of activities based on shared interests—go to a hockey game, explore town! Endless possibilities await. No formal experience necessary, transportation available if needed. Training and strong support will be provided for all mentors. To find out more, please contact Nestor Martinez at nmartinez@middlebury.edu or at 802.443.3010.
2-3 Volunteers Sought to Help w/ PT Exercises and/or Visiting
EIA Civic Engagement seeks 2-3 volunteers to help long-time College friend, Butch Varno, augment his physical therapy on a weekly basis. Butch is a man in his 60s with cerebral palsy and is confined to a wheel chair. It makes a huge difference to his health and well-being when he receives regular exercise and social opportunities. Ideally, individuals will go to nearby Helen Porter Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center (across the street from the soccer field) once a week. Volunteers will receive training and oversight from Butch’s physical therapists at Helen Porter and design his routines and practice sessions under their guidance. Middlebury College and Butch have celebrated more than 50 years of friendship. To learn more about the tradition of “Picking Up Butch,” please follow this link: http://www.middlebury.edu/studentlife/eia/volunteering/butch and hear his personal comments on the effects of having cerebral palsy in this Emmy Award-winning video featuring Butch and several athletes. For more information please contact Tiffany Sargent in EIA Civic Engagement (x5082).
Sugar on Snow 2013 Volunteers (Huntington, VT)
Each year, the Green Mountain Audubon Center hosts three Sugar on Snow parties in the month of March to celebrate our sustainable, bird-friendly maple sugaring program and offer free education programs to the public. On March 17, 23 , & 24 we will host hundreds of guests on our property in Huntington, VT. We need help from volunteers to lend a hand serving refreshments, keep a fire going and help our visitors park. Please consider signing up for a volunteer slot and be added to the list of Vermonters that come together to keep our programs strong throughout the year. Sign up here. Questions? Contact vermont@audubon.org.
Help a Middlebury College Community member: Finite Math Tutor needed
Volunteer to tutor an international Middlebury College staff member who is taking a community college course in Finite Math. The staff member would like to meet with a student weekly on campus for assistance with math concepts. Interested? Contact Ashley Calkins, jcalkins@middlebury.edu.
Middlebury Studio School: Children’s Pottery Class Helpers needed
Volunteers with some art experience are needed to help with children’s pottery classes at the not-for-profit Middlebury Studio School either from 3:30-4:30 or 3:30- 5pm on Mondays, Wednesdays or Thursdays. Interested? Contact Barb, ewaldewald@aol.com.
Apply to the Flex Fund to finance your initiatives!
Whether it is transportation expenses, pumpkins to carve with Porter hospital residents, or turkeys to cook at the local shelter, we want to help you serve others. Visit go/funding to find our application under Civic Engagement Funding. Email scboard@middlebury.edu for more information.
Questions? If you have questions about any of these volunteer opportunities or want to learn more ways to get involved in the local community, contact Ashley Calkins, Community Engagement Coordinator, jcalkins@middlebury.edu, 802.443.3099
-Ashley Calkins ‘06