It's National Volunteer Week!

A HUGE   'Thank You' 

to all of the volunteers here in Cache Valley who make a difference in our community! We, and our partner organizations, couldn't do what we do without you.

National Volunteer Week is a time to celebrate people doing extraordinary things through service. Established in 1974, National Volunteer Week focuses national attention on the impact and power of volunteerism and service as an integral aspect of our civic leadership. The week draws the support and endorsement of the president and Congress, governors, mayors and municipal leaders, as well as corporate and community groups across the country.

National Volunteer Week is not only our moment in time to celebrate our volunteers, but to share ideas, practices, and stories wherever they happen, and to re-imagine the notion of citizenship for the 21st century. Below you will find links to various volunteer week resources.

We're in the News: One Correction Needed

Our new Community Donations Clearinghouse is in the News!!

The Herald Journal ran an article yesterday highlighting a new program we are launching called the Community Donations Clearinghouse. The Online Statesman ran an article about the program March 17th. This program is designed to make it easier and less time consuming for businesses and our partner organizations to connect regarding donations of surplus products, services, etc.  We appreciate the help of our local media to get the word out about this and other programs that serve the Cache Valley community.

There is one pretty major correction that needs to be made for both articles, however. Clearly the inaccurate communication is coming from our end and not the fault of the newspapers. The Volunteer Center, for the most part, can not 'house' large surplus items.  We will accept and store gift certificates and some small items on a very limited basis. However, for the most part, this program is designed to provide an on-line listing of what is available so that non-profit organizations can more easily connect with the businesses and individuals that have what they need.

We are excited about this new program and hope that the community will utilize the program as a way to support local non-profits, maximize resources available, and promote volunteerism and civic engagement in the community!

You can see both articles here:

The Herald Journal Article

Online Statesman

Legacy House Spring Boutique

April 12, 2014

National Volunteer Week!!

This year marks the 40th Annual 

National Volunteer Week

National Volunteer Week, April 6-12, 2014, is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. It’s about demonstrating to the nation that by working together, we have the fortitude to meet our challenges and accomplish our goals.

National Volunteer Week is about taking action and encouraging individuals and their respective communities to be at the center of social change – discovering and actively demonstrating their collective power to make a difference. As a participating Volunteer Center, we encourage all citizens of Cache Valley to get involved and DO SOMETHING~ Big or Small, as part of a group or as an individual~ choose something that matters to you and make a difference!

Some official volunteer opportunities taking place in the valley this week include:

Cache Valley Clean-up Crew, Friday, April 11th, 3:00pm, Meet at the Logan City Cemetery Office to help clean-up the cemetery and get it ready for Memorial Day. 

More Info: http://cachevolunteercenter.org/cache-valley-clean-up-crew/

CVCA Gallery Walk, Friday, April 11th, 6-9pm. 

More Info: http://www.centerforthearts.us/gallerywalk.html

Community Fair @ Logan Library, Saturday, April 12th, 10am - 2pm

More Info:  http://library.loganutah.org/local/events/Event.cfm?Event=Logan%20Library%27s%20-%20Community%20Fair

Handel's Messiah Community Concert @ the Tabernacle, Saturday, April 12th, 7:00pm

National Volunteer Week is a program of Points of Light and is sponsored by Advil® as a part of the Advil® Relief in Action campaign. It was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week.

This year marks the 40th anniversary of National Volunteer Week, demonstrating the enduring importance of recognizing our country’s volunteers for their vital contributions. This year Advil®, as part of the Advil® Relief in Action program, is the lead sponsor of National Volunteer Week.

The Advil® Relief in Action campaign celebrates and enables active volunteers who don’t let pain stop them from helping others in need. During National Volunteer Week Advil® will be celebrating volunteers' dedication to helping others, relieving the aches and pains that come with giving back, and encouraging others to join the movement.

Advil® is encouraging everyone to share inspiring photos that capture Relief in Action through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with hashtag #ReliefInAction.

For more information on the Relief in Action campaign visit www.Advil.com/ReliefinAction, follow @ReliefInAction on Twitter and Instagram or like Advil® on Facebook.

For more information on what is happening in Cache Valley and how to get involved  throughout the week contact us at cachevolunteercenter@gmail.com.

Also stay tuned to the blog to get information about Global Youth Service Days coming up the end of the week and how youth can get involved with that!

USU International Banquet: Multicultural Cuisines and Performances

Utah State University adds such a wonderful opportunity to experience different cultures! This is another opportunity to enjoy food and performances from other countries. Enjoy!

CVCC saved local governments almost $60,000 last year!

                                                      It‘s Spring!
                                           in Cache Valley

                           Time to get back to work!


The Cache Valley Clean-up Crew started working with Logan City to clean up areas that need attention during Summer 2013. Projects included cleaning up local parks, trails, cemeteries, etc. In just a few short months volunteers contributed almost 3,000 hours of work to help keep Cache Valley clean. That's almost $60,000 we helped save Logan City and other city governments in the valley.

The program runs from Spring through Fall. This years events will start up again on April 4 and will meet every Friday at 3:00pm. Today you can meet at the Logan City Cemetery offices. Keep your eyes on the website to know where to meet for future events.

Email us at info@cachevolunteercenter.org for additional information or if you have any questions about the program.

To be notified when Cache Valley Clean-up Crew events are planned you can register by clicking HERE.

Get more information here

Cache Valley is such a beautiful place to live--

Let's all help keep it that way!

FREE Tax Preparation Available for 10 more days!

The amazing VITA volunteers are only available for less than two more weeks to file your taxes! VITA volunteers file your federal and state tax returns for free!

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program offers free tax help to people who generally make $52,000 or less, persons with disabilities, the elderly and limited English speaking taxpayers who need assistance in preparing their own tax returns. IRS-certified volunteers provide free basic income tax return preparation with electronic filing to qualified individuals.

In addition to VITA, the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) program offers free tax help for all taxpayers, particularly those who are 60 years of age and older, specializing in questions about pensions and retirement-related issues unique to seniors. The IRS-certified volunteers who provide tax counseling are often retired individuals associated with non-profit organizations that receive grants from the IRS.

The 'Prank It Forward' Concept

I've never been one who was big on 'pranks', but I'm loving this idea of 'Prank It Forward'. Instead of pulling the traditional 'prank' on those around you, what are some ways that you can 'Prank It Forward' and make someone's day without spending a lot of money?

ATK (N. Utah) donates $43,903.59 to the United Way of Cache Valley!!

ATK donated almost $44,000 to the 

United Way of Cache Valley!!

Kevin Rhees of ATK presented a check to Doug Stephenson, Executive Director for United Way, and Lisa Booth, Board President at the monthly Board Meeting on Tuesday, April 1st. As one of the recipient organizations of the United Way we are truly grateful to ATK, their employees, and other businesses and employees who contribute to United Way. Your donation makes a difference!!

THANK YOU ATK for making a positive difference in our community!

There are 19 Organizations supported by the United Way of Cache Valley:

1. Alliance for Youth
2. Bear River Head Start
3. BRAG Senior Companions
4. Bridgerland Literacy
5. Cache Community Food Pantry
6. Cache Employment & Training Center
7. Cache Valley Volunteer Center
8. CAPSA
9. CDI Head Start
10. Child & Family Support Center
11. Common Ground
12. Community Nursing Services
13. English Language Center
14. Friends of the Children's Justice Center
15. Options for Independence
16. PALS
17. Senior Citizen's Center
18. Sunshine Terrace
19. Youth Discoveries

Learn more about the United Way of Cache Valley at http://www.unitedwayofcachevalley.org

Learn more about ATK http://www.atk.com/ or follow them on social media: https://www.linkedin.com/company/atk or https://twitter.com/ATK

Learn more about the Cache Valley Volunteer Center at www.CacheVolunteerCenter.org

If We Hold On Together!!

Everyone gathered around with smiles as this group of 4 and 5 year olds sang "If We Hold On Together" Tuesday, April 1st. The event was a kick-off of Child Abuse Prevention Month.

"If We Hold On Together"

Don't lose your way
with each passing day
You've come so far
Don't throw it away
Live believing
Dreams are for weaving
Wonders are waiting to start
Live your story
Faith, hope and glory
Hold to the truth in your heart

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by, for you and I

Souls in the wind
Must learn how to bend
Seek out a star
Hold on to the end

Valley...Mountain
There is a fountain
Washes our tears all away
Words are swaying
Someone is praying
Please let us come home to stay

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
Where clouds roll by
For you and I

When we are out there in the dark
We'll dream about the sun
In the dark we'll feel the light
Warm our hearts...everyone

If we hold on together
I know our dreams will never die
Dreams see us through to forever
As high as souls can fly
The clouds roll by
For you and I

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month.  The Child & Family Support Center sponsored the event. In addition to displays outlining the various services provided by the Child & Family Support Center, a display on the front lawn showed a starfish for every child served by the Child and Family Support Center during the year. One of the Center' favorite stories is the story of the starfish (posted below) that shows the importance of making a difference for the one, even if it seems the issue is too big to even make a dent.

 

There was also a display inside showing a pair of shoes for each reported case of child abuse in Cache Valley during the past year. We also got to meet Maysen McKay, a young lady who chose to focus on service for her birthday rather than having a party. She encouraged each of her friends that she would have invited to a party to help her gather shoes instead. Maysen and her friends collected and donated 183 pairs of shoes. Each shoe represents a child that has been abused in Cache Valley. There were a total of 298 pairs of shoes on display at the event today.

Thank you, Esterlee Molyneux and all of the staff at the Child and Family Support Center, 

for making a positive difference in our community!