MECKLENBURG COUNTY PARK & RECREATION DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 2018

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VOLUNTEER NEWS

HAPPY HOLIDAYS to ALL of our

VOLUNTEERS!

You have given us the valuable gift of your time all of this year! Here’s how the numbers for 2018 stack up to date:

o Approximately 5595 Volunteers joined forces with Park & Recreation from January to November, to support and supplement the efforts of the hard-working staff in YOUR Parks, Recreation Centers, Nature Preserves and Nature Centers, and on our Greenways.

o Volunteers have given more than 39,730 HOURS of their time, as Youth Sport Coaches, program assistants, tutors/mentors, Park project/event volunteers, Nature Center volunteers, and much more.

THANK YOU to ALL OF OUR FANTASTIC VOLUNTEERS

for taking so much PRIDE in YOUR

Park & Recreation Department!

YOU MAKE OUR COMMUNITY A BETTER PLACE!

MECKLENBURG COUNTY PARK & RECREATION DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 2018

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VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES FOR INDIVIDUALS

Learning, Impacting and Teaching (L.I.T) Program for Youth and Teens LOCATION: WEST CHARLOTTE RECREATION CENTER - 2401 Kendall Drive, Charlotte, 28216 DAYS/TIMES: Monday-Thursday, 4:00PM – 7:00PM each day VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 1-3 hours each date, set schedule with staff NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 2-3 per day Volunteers are needed to help with: Assisting youth and teens with homework in various subjects. This is a great opportunity to set a positive example for students! Volunteers must be at least 18 years old for this ongoing opportunity, and must join the Volunteer Program. Please contact VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov to register as a volunteer!

AGOC STUDY TIME – Tutors Needed!

LOCATION: ARBOR GLEN OUTREACH CENTER - 1520 Clanton Road, Charlotte, 28208 DAYS/TIMES OF PROGRAM: Every Tuesday and Thursday – 5:30PM-6:30PM

"AGOC STUDY TIME" is an after-school enrichment program for students in 1st grade through 6th grade. Volunteers will assist with one-on-one tutoring in Math and Reading skills, in a classroom setting. Materials and program orientation will be provided.

Study Time is already in progress, and continues throughout the school year! We need at least 3 Volunteers for each day of the week (Tues or Thur) – please specify which day you can come! - Volunteers must be at least 18 years old - age 21 and up is preferred. - Volunteers must complete an online application and background check.

Please contact VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov to sign up!

NEW! Tutoring at Revolution!

LOCATION: REVOLUTION PARK SPORTS ACADEMY - 1125 Remount Road, Charlotte, 28208 DAYS/TIMES: Wednesdays, 6:00-8:00PM Saturdays, 9:00-11:00AM VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 1-2 hours each date, set schedule with staff NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 2-3 per day Students in grades K-12 receive weekly tutoring in reading and math, primarily facilitated by NC Educator licensed teachers. Volunteers provide valuable 1-on-1 assistance to students in studying reading and math. A great opportunity to provide a positive example to youth and teens! Volunteers must be at least 18 years old for this ongoing opportunity, and must join the Volunteer Program. Please contact VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov to register as a volunteer!

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Star Senior Musical Theater LOCATION: SHAMROCK SENIOR CENTER

- 3200 Shamrock Drive, 28215 DAY/TIME VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Friday, December 21 – 9:00AM-1:30PM *May choose a shift: 9:00-11:00am or 11:00am-1:30pm* NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 5 to 10 Volunteers The program will inspire and lift the spirits of the seniors with its power to spark any possible emotion through music! Each group will sing their favorite Christmas carol and be judged on: creativity, colors, props, energy and holiday spirit. Volunteers are needed to help with: Setting up for the event; serving food and drinks; operating music for the show; judging for awards; tearing down/cleaning up after the event. Please wear comfortable clothing in holiday colors!

Volunteers should be at least 18 years old for this event Please contact VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov or

Eunice.Jones@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov to help out with this FUN event!

Therapeutic & Inclusive Recreation Services

MONTHLY DANCE! LOCATION: MARION DIEHL RECREATION CENTER

- 2219 Tyvola Road, 28210 DATE OF EVENT: 3RD FRIDAY EACH MONTH - December 14 (2nd Friday) – Winter Wonderland - January 18, 2019 – Theme to be announced VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 5:30PM TO 9:30PM NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 3 TO 10 The TR Dance is the place to be on the 3rd Friday of each month! Teens to adults with disabilities dance the night away at these FUN themed events. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up/tear down, serving food and drinks, and helping with crafts, games or other activities. *Volunteers must be at least 18 years old. Contact: VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov

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Therapeutic & Inclusive Recreation Services

MYSTERY DINNER LOCATION: TYVOLA SENIOR CENTER

2225 Tyvola Road, Charlotte, 28210 DATE OF EVENT: Saturday, December 15 Saturday, January 19 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 5:00PM TO 8:00PM NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: Up to 10 The Mystery Dinner is a great opportunity for a fun-loving group! Diners aged 15 and up with disabilities will work together to figure out who is the “criminal” in the crowd! Volunteers are needed to help with set-up/tear down, games or other activities, serving food and drinks – and may even take part in the drama! *Volunteers must be at least 18 years old.

Contact: VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov or Mistie.Williams@MeckNC.gov

CHALLENGER BASKETBALL for Youth & Teens LOCATION: MARION DIEHL RECREATION CENTER (GYMNASIUM)

- 2219 Tyvola Road, 28210 DATES: Wednesdays, January 2 through February 27 VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 5:30-6:30PM (Youth), 6:30-7:30PM (Teens) NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 4 to 5

Ready to take it to the hoop? Join us to improve your free throws, lays ups, jumper and defensive moves! Then we’ll put it all together to scrimmage each other. Youth and Teens with disabilities will learn or master the skills needed to play basketball! VOLUNTEERS are needed to: Assist players with on court positions, help run drills/monitor skills, manage offense/defense, one-on-one assistance to a specific player, encourage sportsmanship, encourage hydration. Please wear athletic apparel or clothes you can move, run & jump in!

*Volunteers MUST be at least 18 years old, and must complete an online application including a background check.*

CONTACT VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov for more information and to apply!

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Natural Resources Volunteer

Information Sessions! Are you interested in helping out at one of Park & Recreation's Nature Centers or Nature Preserves? Attend one of our upcoming MONTHLY Information Sessions to find out what it takes to Volunteer: Tour the facility, review available Volunteer roles (such as special events, programming, stewardship, etc.) and expected commitments, and more!

Saturday, February 23 - 11:00am-12:30pm at Reedy Creek Nature Center, 2900 Rocky River Road, 28215 CONTACT: Jose.Chavez@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

Tuesday, March 5 – 6:00-7:00pm at McDowell Nature Center, 15222 South York Road, Charlotte, 28278 CONTACT: Melissa.OLenick@MeckNC.gov

Sunday, April 14 – 2:00-3:00pm at Latta Nature Center, 6211 Sample Road, Huntersville, 28078 CONTACT: Christine.Lawson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov

FAIRY HOUSE FESTIVAL LOCATION: LATTA PLANTATION NATURE PRESERVE

5226 Sample Road, Huntersville, 28078 DATE OF EVENT: Saturday, FEBRUARY 9, 2019 TIME OF EVENT: 10:00am-4:00pm VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 2 shifts: 9:00AM-1:30PM or 1:00PM-5:00PM

NUMBER OF VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: 100

Come and help with this HUGE annual family festival at Latta Plantation Nature Center! Activities will include: a fairy house building contest, fairy-themed crafts and games, geocaching, storytelling and more! Volunteers will assist with a variety of stations, including but not limited to: crafts, games, registration, assisting with shuttles, preparing free popcorn, tending fire pits, etc. Please dress for the weather! Volunteers are welcome to dress up in fairy themed clothing that is family-friendly. Lunch will be provided for the MORNING shift only. *Volunteers must be at least 12 years old - any Volunteer under the age of 16 MUST be accompanied by a parent/adult at all times! Please also note that adult Volunteers must register and pay for children to

attend the Festival.

Contact VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov OR Christine.Lawson@MecklenburgCountyNC.gov to sign up to help out!

MECKLENBURG COUNTY PARK & RECREATION DEPARTMENT DECEMBER 2018

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COACHES: WAITING FOR SPRING SPORTS? It’s never too early to start checking on Spring sports:

Baseball, Tee Ball, Track & Field and more! Contact VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov for more information about registering to Coach!

To volunteer as a coach, you must enroll in our Volunteer Program - if you would like

to enroll please contact Volunteer Services at VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov to

receive a link to the Volunteer Enrollment site, with additional instructions.

As a Coach, you will need to be available for both Practices and Games. Most of the practices are

during the week and the games are usually on Saturday. To check out where our centers are located,

and to find phone numbers for the Centers, go to www.parkandrec.com > Recreation Centers.

*If you have already been Coaching with us, remember that your application/approval remains active for ONE YEAR, and must be updated annually! Please contact Volunteer Services if you need to check on your renewal date or status!

We LOVE our Volunteers, and we want to make it EASY for you to come and help your community! Here

are a few tips for you…THANK YOU for taking the time to support YOUR Park & Recreation Department!

YOU DO NOT NEED TO REGISTER/JOIN THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: - For one-day events or projects - For helping with a program ONE time (Example: chaperoning ONE field trip for an after-school program)

YOU MUST REGISTER/JOIN THE VOLUNTEER PROGRAM: - To be a Coach for any sport - To assist with an ongoing program on a regular basis (Example: tutoring once a week; teaching ESL)

Please contact VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov if you are not sure whether or not you need to enroll for a volunteer project, event or program. We are happy to assist you!

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Opportunities for Groups Bring YOUR group out to help keep our Parks looking their best! We welcome any group, from businesses, churches, neighborhoods, fraternities/sororities, Scouts, students, civic groups, etc. For more information on volunteering for any of our projects, please contact:

- Karen Howard at 980-314-1046 Karen.Howard@MeckNC.gov - Pamela Thomas at 980-314-1059 Pamela.Thomas@MeckNC.gov

PARK PROJECTS WILL RESUME IN MARCH 2019!

Contact us NOW to schedule projects for Spring! We are happy to provide information about other opportunities for your group!

SATURDAY PROJECTS Hours are 9:00am – 12:00 Noon Volunteers 12 years old and up are welcome!

All Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult over the age of 21.

You must RSVP to VolunteerServices@MeckNC.gov. We need to know how many Volunteers to

plan for, and we need to be able to contact you in case of changes or cancellations!

All of the projects are park maintenance and beautification projects, which may include mulching,

weeding, pruning and clean-ups. Be aware that all of these projects involve manual labor!

All you need to bring are a pair of gloves, a water bottle and LOTS OF ENERGY!!

Please go to www.parkandrec.com to see where these parks and greenways are located. Once

you get to the home page click on either the Parks or the Greenways tab.

WEEKDAY PROJECTS Projects can be arranged for your group, on Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday – 9:00am – 12:00

Volunteer Services Program Mission Statement 1. To assist Mecklenburg County Park and Recreation Department staff in providing services needed to offer quality recreation and leisure services to the community by: - Supporting direct services provided by salaried department staff. - Supplementing administrative, clerical, maintenance and other internal support service functions. 2. To provide the Citizens of Mecklenburg County opportunities for Citizen Involvement and to increase their awareness of the Department’s Responsibilities, Services and Results.

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CONTACT US!

For more information on volunteering for any of our programs or projects, please contact:

Karen Howard at 980-314-1046 Karen.Howard@MeckNC.gov Pamela Thomas at 980-314-1059 Pamela.Thomas@MeckNC.gov

PLEASE NOTE: Volunteers under the age of 16 must be accompanied by a parent/adult, who is at least 21 years old. *Volunteers working with Therapeutic & Inclusive Recreation Services (TIRS) must be at least 18 years old.

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