Day of Remembrance: Memorial Day, May 30th, 2011

*In Memory of Harry Lew* 

Whether it is family, loved ones, friends or friends of friends, losing someone that you knew and cared for is something that is very difficult to explain.

I heard about the loss of my high school friend, Harry Lew a few days after he passed. I was in a meeting and was both unsure and unable to react. I often think "things happen for a reason" but in this case I do not agree. Events like this make me feel helpless. It feels so unreal because the last time that I saw and hung out with Harry he was laughing, telling us about his experiences, and of course tricking for everyone to enjoy. He was only 21 years old and had the ability to keep any event fun and interesting. Harry could always make us laugh no matter the situation. I am sorry that I did not have the opportunity to keep in touch to the best of my ability. 
Harry you are in my prayers, I wish you the best and hope that you are resting in Peace. We miss you!

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For me, Memorial Day serves as a reminder to not let war veterans go unnoticed. It is my opportunity to reflect and appreciate the hard work that veterans experience to keep our nation safe.  If you have a loved one, a friend, or a friend of a friend in the military, please thank them and let them know that their efforts to keep our nation safe does not go unnoticed.  

Memorial Day, May 30, 2011 is the perfect opportunity to give your time in honor of the 4,500 Americans who have died thus far in Afghanistan and Iraq.

 

How can you make a difference in veteran’s lives?

Join a team, donate, or Become a Soldier's Angel.

There are various opportunities from becoming a Soldier’s Angel Baker, creating supportive letters, sending hospital packages as a ‘Wounded TLC’ or being a part of the ‘pillow making’ group.

Soldiers Angel’s would like to insure that no soldier feels unloved.

For more information please visit their website or contact them online.

- Crystal Garcia
   Volunteer Center of Santa County Marketing Intern

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For questions or additional volunteer opportunities, please visit our website or

contact Courtney Jones at americorps@scvolunteercenter.org.
Connect with us on Facebook & Twitter.

It's National Volunteer Week! (April 10th-16th)

What is National Volunteer Week?


National Volunteer Week gives us the opportunity to acknowledge the impact that volunteers have in our communities. The week began in 1974 when President Nixon signed an executive order establishing an annual celebration of volunteering. This year commemorates the two-year anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act and the Volunteer Generation Fund.


For the Santa Cruz Volunteer Center, National Volunteer Week is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek ways to engage in our  community. There are an infinite number of ways to get involved. You name it and there is a volunteer in our community making it happen. It is our goal to highlight volunteer stories throughout the year.


See what  the Volunteer Center of the Santa Cruz County is up to during this week.


What makes National Volunteer Week special?
As a nation we have the opportunity to hear the inspiring stories of everyday individuals who are dedicating their time to improving our communities and volunteers all across the country receive national recognition for their efforts.


Some of the opportunities for Recognition include:
1. Daily Point of Light Award: 
The Daily Point of Light Award honors individuals and volunteer groups who are helping to meet critical needs in their communities and creating change every day.
2. Corporate Engagement Award:
The Corporate Engagement Award of Excellence honors companies that have made a commitment to building strong employee volunteer programs and meet the Principles of Excellence for Workplace Volunteering. 
3. What: The Volunteer Initiatve Program will honor 25 people When: 10 a.m. Tuesday 
Where: County Board of Supervisors, 701 Ocean St., Room 525, Santa Cruz 
4. What: CitySERVE will honor 20 volunteers during a reception prior to the City Council meeting When: 2:30 p.m. Tuesday Where: City Council Chambers, 809 Center St., Santa Cruz
To learn more about how to nominate volunteers for awards Click HERE.
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Stay connected! For more information please e-mail us at marketing@scvolunteercenter.org or volunteer@scvolunteercenter.org. Also, please visit our website, and Facebook Page, post/ find volunteer opportunities and stay updated on upcoming events HERE.  

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