 |
Fairfield Volunteer Center |
|
 |
||
Dear JoBeth,
Many thanks for the RSVP Program in Fairfield! As one who needs
help and is helped, I can tell you that it makes the difference between impossible and possible when it comes to access to the shops and community.
For the while I live in isolation due to health challenges. I must stay at home. Having someone who does errands for me, visits, and is kind, caring and friendly is a God-send in my life.
Much gratitude, Rhiana Levy
Holiday Greetings from JoBeth Lewer-Director-RSVP
As we begin a new year I would like to take a moment to thank each and every one of you for the wonderful
RSVP Friendly Visitor Denise Poole with Jo Simmons, Betty Crawford and Ruby McPhail
contributions you made to the Fairfield community throughout 2011. As of December 2011 RSVP has enrolled 75 new volunteers who gave over 1,000 hours of service! The RSVP Friendly Visitors program is growing and now has over 25 volunteers serving seniors in Fairfield. The RSVP Energy Savings Program finished the year Weatherizing 23 homes and more than 50 RSVP volunteers enrolled to serve!
Each of you make a direct and positive difference in the lives of others. I know you have made a difference in my life. It is a great pleasure to serve as the Director for this program. Each RSVP volunteer I meet makes me feel deeply satisfied knowing that together we are indeed creating a better world for everyone, one person at a time.
I feel grateful that I have the good fortune to work with all the caring and kind-hearted people who make volunteering a part of their lives. Thank you all for your ongoing volunteering with RSVP and for helping to make this program a vital service for those in Fairfield.
Happy Holidays and Happy New Year!
We invite you to make MLK Day a day of service—”a day ON, not a day off.” 
Her presentation challenges us all to take action today to create a more just and diversified society, while creating the history of tomorrow. National Days of Service like this one are important reminders to get involved and serve to rally people together to make a difference…but what we hope they do most of all is to inspire ongoing service throughout the year.
*Admission to the evening’s events will be a non-perishable food donation to help stock the new food pantry at New Life Community Church in Fairfield.
Dr. Larry Nash was honored with the Fairfield Volunteer of the Year Award on December 
8th at the Fairfield Entrepreneur Association’s Annual Awards Banquet.
Dr. Nash received numerous nominations for the award based upon his work on two very significant projects in the Fairfield community. Larry has been a leader in accomplishing the Maasdam Barns preservation project and has also been significantly involved in construction projects for the Jefferson County Trails Council.
Larry, along with Dick Reed, initiated the first project at the Maasdam Barns and Larry showcased his skills in carpentry, painting, organization, leadership, fundraising and more. He served as Vice Chairman of the Maasdam Barns Preservation committee from 2005-2009, and was then elected Chairman.
Larry has been a member of the Jefferson County Trails Council since it was formed in 1997 and became part of the core group that built the trails. His projects included calculating bridge materials from plans, as well as building the bridges, installing and repairing fences, clearing fallen trees on the trails and many other tasks.
Over the past 2.5 years alone, Larry has been the major force driving the Maasdam Barns project to completion. According to his logs in 2009 he volunteered 190 hours and in 2010, 230 hours.
Larry reminded the audience that projects on this scale only happen when a group of people pool their talents and give of their time. He graciously accepted the award on behalf of all of the volunteers that worked on the barns and the trails projects.
Attention: All Fairfield Volunteers-Please join us for an evening of celebration Thursday, October 27 from 7:30-9:30 at the lovely Cafe Paradiso. The evening will feature entertainment, snacks, merrymaking, and good company.
The community of Fairfield is a richer, more vibrant place because there are so many people who reach out to others; looking beyond their own daily lives for the betterment of others. We want to celebrate you and all that you do! Please join us.
Don’t miss this exciting, educational and invaluable conference for Iowa nonprofits and volunteer management professionals! Use their website to view the evolving agenda, access award nomination information, and find lodging information. Download the schedule and workshop descriptions here!
REGISTRATION DEADLINE/FEES
Online “early” registration is available just through November 1, so don’t delay! After November 1, you may still attend this conference, but must register at the door at the on site rate). A great value for a 2-day conference: $160 ($180 on site) – includes breakfast, lunch, and a break. Can’t get away for two days? One-day registration is also available for $90 ($100 on site) – includes breakfast, lunch, and a break.
GET MORE INFORMATION
To ensure you get conference details and information about registration, please visit www.iowalifechanging.com and use the “register” link to sign up for the Iowa Nonprofit Summit e-mail list or follow conference news on Twitter at #INPOS11
WORKSHOP TOPICS INCLUDE:
Local agencies interested in attending can contact the Fairfield Volunteer Center to arrange possible car-pooling to the conference. Several scholarship opportunities also exist to help support attendance. See the website for more information.
This year marks the 10th anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. You can honor those who were lost and those who rose up in service in response to the tragedy by participating in the September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance.
The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of an effort originally launched in 2002 by 9/11 family members and support groups, led by the organization MyGoodDeed, who worked to establish the service day as a way to honor those who were lost and to rekindle the spirit of unity and compassion that followed the attacks.
The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance was established into law by the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act in 2009, and furthers President Obama’s call to service, United We Serve.
Hundreds of organizations throughout the nation are planning and coordinating service and remembrance activities for the weekend of September 11. We know that many of you are also planning to host an event, large or small, and we encourage you to post your opportunity at Serve.gov. Doing so will bring attention to your project and connect you to the many others seeking to give back on a day that has already tied so many of us together.
In advance, thank you for your continued service and commitment!
Fairfield Volunteers at the June RSVP Weatherization Project
The Fairfield Volunteer Center is now accepting nominations for its third annual “Volunteer of the Year Award” which will be given out at the Fairfield Entrepreneur Association’s Banquet in October.
We are seeking nominations for a community volunteer that you have worked with in 2011 who has demonstrated outstanding service to your organization and therefore to the Fairfield community.
Please email all nominations to the Volunteer Center by September 16, 2011 at 5:00pm at fairfieldvolunteers@gmail.com.
If you do not have computer access, please mail your nomination to: Fairfield Volunteer Center, P.O. Box 2115, Fairfield, Iowa 52556.
This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize an exceptional volunteer for his or her service this year in our community.
June RSVP Weatherization Project
The Fairfield Volunteer Center and RSVP are conducting round two of our Energy Savings and Home Weatherization Project for eligible community residents.
We are looking to recruit 75 volunteers ages 16 and up to perform basic weatherization tasks such as installing weather stripping, caulking, and applying plastic film to windows in 12 area homes.
On September 17th Fairfield Sustainability Coordinator Scott Timm will facilitate a quick hands-on training for all volunteers lasting 1-1.5 hours, thereby ensuring everyone a basic understanding of project tasks.
The main event will be Saturday, September 24 from 9:00am and lasting until the weatherization tasks are completed, generally around 2:00pm. A pizza lunch will be served at noon at the First Christian Church for participants to refuel and enjoy one anothers company. If you are interested in joining a team and getting involved, call 641-209-9045 and speak with Molly or 641-919-4752 to talk with JoBeth.
August 1, 2011: The Fairfield Volunteer Center is pleased to announce the appointment of Molly Reiff as the new Executive Director. Molly is originally from Fairfield and has spent the majority of her time since college living in Iowa City. Molly received her B.A. from the University of Iowa in Environmental Studies and is also a Certified Permaculture Designer and Licensed Massage Therapist. She has served on the Board of Directors for Iowa city-based, non-profit Backyard Abundance for 2 years and coordinated events, garden education and volunteers for Willowwind School for 4 years.
Ms. Reiff remarked, “I look forward to the opportunity to work with the residents of Fairfield that make this such a vibrant and caring community.”
RSS