April 10th-16th is National Volunteer Week! National Volunteer Week was started by President Nixon in 1976 to honor community volunteers as well as to encourage volunteerism throughout the month. The week is spearheaded by the Points of Light Foundation, which offers a network of volunteer opportunities throughout the nation.
UWFK relies heavily on the work of volunteers. They help us rate our potential nonprofit partner agencies, assist us in distributing “Stuff the Bus” school supplies, serve as our board members, and run our committees. Our work is made possible by our faithful volunteers. Thank you!
To celebrate National Volunteer week, UWFK staff members went to Grimal Grove in Big Pine Key to plant banana trees and construct signs for the children’s playground onsite. Grimal Grove is a fruit farm and botanical site that focuses on educating the public about edible plants and fruits. The grove is managed by UWFK board member, Patrick Garvey. Read more about the project here.
*top: President and CEO, Kate Bauer-Jones with Damian Varela, Camella, and AmeriCorps VISTA, Chelsea Wait
*below: with Patrick Garvey, owner of the Grimal Grove
If you are interested in volunteering this week, here are some local opportunities:
Lower Keys
Star of the Sea Outreach Mission: 5640 Maloney Ave in Stock Island. Needs volunteers from 9-noon and 1-5 to help guide clients through their food pantry.
St. Mary’s Food Kitchen: 2700 Flagler Ave in Key West. Needs volunteers in the AM for cooking and volunteers from 4-6pm to help serve in their soup kitchen.
Middle Keys
Marathon Recreation Center: 810 33rd St Gulf in Marathon. Needs volunteers to lead afterschool projects and assist students with completing their homework.
Upper Keys
Burton Memorial Church: 93001 Overseas Hwy in Tavernier. Needs volunteers on Monday and Wednesday mornings to help unload large food pantry shipments. Also needs a long term volunteer to cook dinner in their soup kitchen on the second Thursday of each month.
For national opportunities, check the Points of Light website.
