All posts by Shannon Lyford

Volunteer to teach short workshops to Middlebury Union Middle School students!

Center for Community Engagement, community, Community Engagement, Midd Points, service, volunteer

Friends of MUMS (Middlebury Union Middle School) are looking for community members to volunteer to deliver short workshops during the students’ free period: 1:15-1:45 Tuesdays-Fridays, starting March 7-June 9.

MUMS is particularly looking for folx to teach workshops on topics interesting to middle school students including, but not limited to topics on this list (generated by middle schoolers):

  • Legos
  • Open gym and sports
  • Creative writing
  • Fashion design
  • Murder mysteries
  • Theater
  • Cooking
  • Chess/games/cards
  • Quiet reading/book clubs
  • Open art  studio
  • TAM-nature scavenger hunt
  • Obstacle courses
  • Dance
  • Collaborative art projects
  • etc.

Please consider volunteering yourself and/or sharing with other faculty, staff, students, and community members who may be interested. For more information or to sign up to teach a workshop, reach out to Shannon Lyford with the Center for Community Engagement: slyford@middlebury.edu.

Seeking donations for HOPE Holiday Shop

Midd Points

The Center for Community Engagement (CCE) is collecting donations for the HOPE (Helping Overcome the Effects of Poverty in Addison County) Holiday Shop. HOPE aims to improve the lives of low-income people by working with individuals to identify and secure resources needed to meet their basic needs. Parents who do not have the funds with which to purchase gifts for their children may come to HOPE’s Holiday Shop and select new books, toys, games, and other items for their children, free of charge.

The CCE is hosting a donation box to collect items for the Holiday Shop this year. If you wish to donate, see the wishlist below for items that are most needed. The donation box is set up at 26 Blinn Lane (CCE, behind Ross Dining Hall) right inside the front door. Our office is open for donation drop-offs during business hours, 9-5 Monday through Friday.

Items Needed

  • Games – Hed Banz, In a Pickle, Rebellion, Would You Rather, Soggy Doggy, Count Your Chickens
  • Activities – Crayole Sketcher Projector, Doctor Dreadful Alien Autopsy Playset, Play-Do sets, Activity Books, Art Supplies, Science Kits, Craft Kits
  • Electronics – string lights, headphones, earbuds, wireless speakers
  • Cars and Trucks – large construction vehicles, remote control cars, tractors
  • LEGO sets – 200 pieces or more, please
  • Balls – soccer balls, footballs, basketballs
  • Winter clothing – warm gloves, hats, socks, scarves for teens
  • Insulated water bottles
  • Gift cards – H & M, Old Navy, Target, Subway, Yogurt City
  • Children’s books – visit https://www.hope-vt.org/holiday-shop-books for suggested titles
     

You can drop off unwrapped items at the CCE during office hours (9-5) Monday-Friday! Email the CCE at cce@middlebury.edu with any questions.

Student organization teaching high schoolers about financial literacy and investment!

Midd Points

Do you have a high school-aged student who is interested in learning more about the stock market and how to invest money? First Generation Investors (FGI) is a national nonprofit that provides education around financial literacy and investment. The Middlebury chapter is currently working with the Boys & Girls Club of Vergennes to provide afterschool financial literacy programming to high schoolers in the Addison County community. After completion of the program, FGI provides real money for the students to invest.

If this sounds like an opportunity your high school student would be interested in, please reach out to FGI student leaders at fgi@middlebury.edu to learn more about their upcoming dates at the Boys & Girls Club of Vergennes.