Volunteer Spring Break

Over Spring Break week, I volunteered to score the application packets for the incoming fall Midway students. I was honored to participate in this process and take it very seriously as I know what the Midway Honors Program has meant to me. Without it, I would likely not have been able to pursue my Bachelor's degree. Also, beyond the obvious financial benefit, the program has offered me so much more. The support, encouragement, and family-type bond that is gained have been priceless building blocks to my success as a student. Additionally, I know that the academic standards being demanded by the program will pay-off in countless dividends in my future endeavors. So, the chance to aid 10 other people in reaching their college dreams was an exciting and humbling experience. Each candidate packet has an application/resume, cover letter, 3 reference letters, and an essay that are read and scored using a provided rubric. I spent an average of 1 hour scoring each packet for a total of 10 volunteer hours.   

Making the Money

    

Saturday I logged in 8 volunteer hours at the TLC Community Center's annual fundraiser. It was a yard sale shoppers dream come true. A multitude of local churches donated a huge quantity of items for the sale. The items were marked at yard sale prices so that everyone could participate. Of course, the larger items like a nice lazy boy chair and a barely used dining table and chairs flew out the door first. Despite the cold turn in the weather, there was a steady stream of shoppers throughout the day. For my part, I did what I do best.....TALK!! I got to flex my customer service skills to entice shoppers to dig deep and give for a worthwhile cause. All the money made over the 3 day sale will be used to buy much needed food items for the community soup kitchen meals being served at the center every Tuesday at lunch time. The program has become an instant success in a very short time, feeding an average of 200+ adults and children each week. Since the center is strictly donation funded, these fundraisers are a crucial part of helping so many in our community.   
     Besides yacking, which is my specialty, I also helped customers with loading items,

 cleaning, organizing items, and also transporting donated children's items including: coats, clothes, shoes, and toys to a church in Bristol for their children's van outreach ministry. These items were given to the center from area schools who built-up a substantial amount of items throughout the year in their LOST and FOUND. Since, these items were sized too big to be included in the center's MOMMY MART, the director wanted to share them with another helpful program. 
     Any items  not sold in the sale will be made available to the mothers in the TLC parenting program. These moms attend class and volunteer at the center in order to earn "MOMMY MONEY" which they can use to purchase baby items like clothes, diapers,  wipes, bottles, toys, and even big items such as highchairs, swings, and playpens in the Mommy Mart. The center is a blessing to our community and I hope to help there as much as I can.

Kiko Gets a Home!

I logged 6 hours of Collo time this weekend running a transport train for my foster Kiko.

Kiko is a senior min-pin with a terribly abusive past. However, she is the sweetest dog I have ever been around. I've had Kiko in my home for 6 months, the longest of all my fosters. Now, when I got involved with fostering I went into it with the mindset that I am just dog-sitting for someone. This allowed me to compartmentalize as to avoid the attachment that most people are afraid of when considering becoming a foster. I have been volunteering with the rescue for 2 years and attachment has never been a problem. The closest I have come is definitely Kiko. Her gentle but very skittish nature, past abuse, and lengthy stay in our home made me more protective of her.
As the foster, I am responsible for finding the perfect home for my charge.  Applications for my dogs are giving to me to work. The applicants go through a stringent screening including vet checks, personal references,  landlord checks, an in-depth interview and a home visit. If they are willing to go through this process, chances are they are responsible owners. I feel this power allows me to focus on the dog's future so I am excited to see them go to a loving home. So far, all my fosters have hit the jackpot! In fact, in several situations, I wanted to go with them to their new place. This is certainly true of Kiko's new family. They are a retired senior couple living the good life in Memphis. The Bayless' dog of 17 years recently passed away from cancer and they are grieving. Wanting to shift their focus to loving another dog, they began looking for a senior dog to adopt and when they saw Kiko, they felt an instant connection. Senior dogs are often the hardest to place for obvious reasons. So, I was really ecstatic when the Bayless application came across for Kiko. They were perfectly matched for her needs and I had no doubt that she would be set for the remainder of her life. 
Once I approved the application, I set about finding transport for Kiko as I wanted to spare the Baylesses the 17 hour roundtrip to get her. Using a previous adopter who lives near Chattanooga and 2 other imps volunteers, one in Nashville and the other near Memphis, I planned a transport train. So, this past Saturday at 4:30 a.m. I drove Kiko to meet my friend(and previous adopter) Myrna in Cookeville. She then met our volunteer Greg in Nashville, and he met the last volunteer in Jackson who then met the adopters in Memphis. It was a long and scary day for Kiko but she is settling into her in home like a champ. I can't wait to get a new foster.     

New Spring Semester @ Collo

Well Spring Semester is off and running at full speed and I am busier than a one legged man in an apple stomping contest! I have so many writing intensive courses this semester that I am brain dead! All these boring lectures and marathon essays have me SIKED for some Collo time. Getting out for some activities will be a breath of fresh air.

Dr. H has asked for a plan of action to help us mange the 20 open Collo hours this semester. I am hoping to fulfill my hours with volunteer work. I plan log hours with imps.com which is the min-pin rescue organization that I am part of. I also plan to a be regular volunteer with the TLC Community Center in Elizabethton.
This non-profit organization has grown into a vital community resource over the past few years. It's humble beginnings centered on abortion alternative services. However, director Angie Odom was so moved by the overwhelming needs within the community that she expanded the center to reach those families most at risk.
Today, the center offers a variety of essential services such as:

• Adoption Services              
• Parenting Classes
• A free Mommy Mart provided baby/child items
• Summer Kids Food Program
• A community garden
• A  community soup kitchen
• A Free community Day Care
• Emergency family aid
• A variety of free family events
• Children's Physical Therapy  Services

The center is self-governed and solely dependent on private donation funding and volunteer workers. The positive impact on the community is immense. They serve thousands of meals each week, facilitate numerous adoptions to local families, and provide basic needs to many local families.