Volunteer Opportunities & Community Engagement
VOCM Cares Coats for Kids 2012
VOCM Coats for Kids is an annual campaign that collects and distributes coats and winter wear for neighborhoods in need. VOCM Coats for Kids is a partnership with the Canadian Red Cross, Memorial University's School of Social Work, Vibrant Communities and Newfoundland Power.
Coats and winter wear will be collected at local businesses and schools from October 19 – November 24. The school that collects the most coats per capita will enjoy pizza compliments of Atlantic Home Furnishings.
To select winter wear free of charge, families in need may visit a retail-type store (depot) at the Royal Canadian Legion Branch #1 or the Metrobus Travelling depot at a neighbourhood near you. When the campaign ends, Provincial Airlines will then deliver the remaining winter wear to families on the coast of Labrador, as far as Nain. See table below for specific details.
Donations of coats and winter wear may be dropped off at the following locations:
| Date | Time | Location |
| Kindness Friday, October 19 | 10:00 - 4:00 | Paton College Square, Memorial University |
| October 22 - November 24 | Business Hours | Atlantic Home Furnishings, Topsail Rd. |
| October 22 - November 24 | 9:00 - 5:00 | Schools and businesses as scheduled |
| Sunday, October 28 | 2:00 pm | Empire Theatres, Mt. Pearl Square - Bring your coat and receive free admission. Movie TBA |
| Saturday, November 10 | 10:00 am | Empire Theatres, Avalon Mall, Bring your coat and receive free admission at The Polar Express |
Families in need may select coats and winter wear (free of charge) from the following locations:
| Date | Time | Location |
| Tuesday, Nov. 13 | 11:30 - 3:30 | Bus - ANC & TBA |
| Wednesday, Nov. 14 | 12:30 - 4:30 | Legion # 1 - Blackmarsh Rd. |
| Thursday, Nov. 15 | 12:30 - 4:30 | Bus - TBA |
| Friday, Nov. 16 | 12:30 - 4:30 | Bus - TBA |
| Saturday, Nov. 17 | 12:30 - 4:30 | Legion # 1 - Blackmarsh Rd & Legion #2 - Pleasantville |
| Monday, Nov. 19 | 12:30 - 4:30 | |
| Tuesday, Nov. 20 | 12:30 - 4:30 | Bus - TBA |
| Wednesday, Nov. 21 | 12:30 - 4:30 | Legion # 1 - Blackmarsh Rd. |
| Thursday, Nov. 22 | 12:30 - 4:30 | Bus - TBA |
| Friday, Nov. 23 | 12:30 - 4:30 | Bus - TBA |
| Saturday, Nov. 24 | 12:30 - 4:30 | Legion # 1 - Blackmarsh Rd. & Legion # 2 - Pleasantville |
Stay tuned for collection depots at Association for New Canadians, Memorial University, St. Mary's & Ferryland.
Coats for Kids Volunteer Opportunities
Volunteers are needed for all of the above dates and times to collect winter wear from schools/businesses, sort merchandise, assist at travelling depots and at the Legion.
Collection times will take place between Oct 22nd -Nov 24th 9am-5pm based on requests from schools and various donation drop sites.
Volunteer Duties include:
Work collaboratively with social work students, Coats for Kids partners, and other volunteers to operate the Coats for Kids project.
- Participate in Coats for Kids orientation on Tuesday, October 16th from 5:00- 6:45 pm.
- Pick up winter clothing from collection points, schools, and other donors between Monday October 22nd and Friday November 24th.
- Participate in sorting winter clothing at the depot (Royal Canadian Legion on Blackmarsh Road) – between Monday October 22nd and Friday November 22th, with blitzes scheduled for Tuesday November 13th, Saturday November 17th, and Saturday November 24th.
- Set up the depot prior to the opening on Tuesday, November 13th.
- Arrange winter clothing and ensure depot appears organized and welcoming.
- Assist people in selecting winter clothing during depot hours of operation – Wednesdays, and Saturdays - November 12th to 24th.
- Set up Metro Bus mobile Coats for Kids depot and assist people in selecting winter clothing during mobile depot hours of operation – Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays - November 12th to 24th.
- Close depot and transfer remaining winter clothing to another distribution source on Saturday November 24th.
- Celebrate the success of Coats for Kids – on Tuesday, November 27th from 5:00- 6:45 pm.
Skills required:
- Strong oral communication skills
- Well developed organizational skills
- Commitment, reliability, and dependability
- Willingness to work hard and have fun
- Access to a reliable vehicle is helpful
Time commitment:
The Coats for Kids project will operate from Monday, October 22nd until Saturday, November 24th. Social work students and other volunteers are welcome to donate as many shifts as are available. Shifts will be assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. Students and other volunteers using their own vehicle will be reimbursed for mileage.
To volunteer or for additional information, please contact:
Sam Cluett
Coordinator
Year 2 Social Work Student
smc544@mun.ca
or
The School of Social Work
864-8165
Memory Candlelight Service to remember those who have died by SUICIDE
2012 marks the 7th annual service to remember those who have died by suicide. This service is an informal gathering to remember and celebrate the lives of loved one who have died. Each year more people gather to remember and honor family, friends, neighbors, colleagues and community members who died. We look upon the faces of our loved ones through our photo display, we share stories, poems and songs and light candles for the person(s) we wish to remember. You are invited to bring along a framed picture of the person(s) you wish to remember. The memorial service will be followed by refreshments and fellowship. Music is provided by Shelley Neville and Peter Halley.
You are also welcome to bring along something for a cup of tea.
Service Details:
Date: Sunday, December 2, 2012
Time: 3:00pm
Location: St. John's College Chapel, attached to the School of Social Work at Memorial University
Parking: available in Area 22
Everyone is welcome!
Some thoughts from past participants:
"The service fosters an opportunitity for me to gather to celebrate Brendan's life with others who understand what I am going through as a survivor. Each year I am inspired by friends who share their stories. I actually look forward to our gathering as it is the one place I feel a collective understanding from others who have lost a loved one to suicide - here there are no judgements, no blame. Instead I leave knowing that I have honoured Brendan's memory by focusing on his life, not his death."
Kim
The school is proud to support this community initiative hosted by survivors, University Chaplains and ASIST NL. For further information on the service please contact Kim Kelly at 864-8101 or Tina Davies at 726-4223.
Survivors of Suicide (SoS) Support Group
The school is also proud to host the Survivors of Suicide Support Group (SoS). This group, started by Tina Davies, mother of Richard, meets twice a month, on the first Tuesday and third Monday of each moth at 7:30 pm in the school's boardroom - room J-2000B. This group is open to anyone who is impacted by suicide. It is informal and is led by survivors. Participants have shared the following about their experiences:
"Do not cry because they have died, smile because they have lived."
Yvonne
"The group is a place where I can talk about the loss of my brother and know that I'm understood. It really helps."
Judith
"The group (SoS) provides a supportive network of people who understand and can share in this journey of healing from the loss of a loved one`s suicide.`
Juanita
"I would be the last person to attend a support group, but here I am...two weeks after my nephew's suicide I needed someone to talk to and thank goodness I found this group. At such a traumatic time in my life it was amazing to find other people who knew exactly the kind of pain that I was going through and they could reassure me, it would get better, please God.``
Wanita
For further information on the SoS group, please contact Tina Davies at 726-4223.
Senior's Resource Centre
The Senior's Resource Centre is looking for one or two volunteers to help with their Mall Walkers program.
Mall Walkers meets every Thursday Morning at 9am at the Avalon Mall. Seniors come together to get exercise and socialize. Volunteers are needed to help with registration, setting up, and for walking with participants who may need assistance. It is a great place to volunteer - a very fun and friendly crowd!
Contact Elizabeth at 709-753-0619 or
Emily Woods, BSW Class of 2013, at erw037@un.ca if you have any questions.
