Volunteers, start your engines
Coeur d'Alene Press | UPDATED 14 years, 4 months AGO
The United Way of Kootenai County is excited about the opportunity to promote and engage the community in volunteering. This column will highlight volunteers who contribute their time to great causes. It will also serve as a connection to volunteer needs, and provide information on volunteerism.
Local Volunteer Heroes
We are surrounded by people every day who generously give of their time, talents and energy. They are so dedicated and passionate about a cause that it becomes part of who they are. Ann Smart is one of those people. Smart is a volunteer advocate for the First Judicial Court Appointed Special Advocate Program (CASA). She was drawn to CASA because of her passion for children. "You have to really believe in the cause. It has to be genuine in order to fulfill you," Smart said. She wanted to help children who needed someone to advocate on their behalf.
When asked to describe what it is like to volunteer Smart said, "Fun is not the correct word; fulfilling at times and at times it is heartbreaking. When you consider the purpose and see the work that those who work day-to-day put into it, you see the value."
Smart has been a strong voice for the children in our community, giving sound and respected recommendations to the court on behalf of the voiceless. She has been committed for more than three years to all 10 of her appointed cases. To Ann Smart, volunteering is just something that you do when you are part of a community.
"It is important that if you are part of a community that you have to be actively involved in the community," Smart said.
Volunteer Opportunity
Do you like road trips? OK, maybe these are in town "road trips" but they are a great opportunity to help homeless families.
Family Promise of North Idaho is serving and empowering homeless families to achieve sustainable housing. Volunteer van drivers are needed seven days a week to transport guest families to and from their host site and the Day Center. A van to transport families is provided. Volunteers must be 24 years and up and have a valid driver's license. Volunteers are asked to cover shifts 1-2 times per week. A volunteer van coordinator is also needed to schedule and train drivers. Contact Sandra Davis (208) 777-4190 or [email protected].
Volunteer Fair
When: 4-7 p.m. during National Volunteer Week, on Tuesday, April 17
Where: The Ray & Joan Kroc Center, Coeur d'Alene.
What: Open to the public, attendees will have the opportunity to visit with local nonprofit organizations that rely heavily on volunteers.
Join the Kootenai County Young Professionals in partnership with the Ray & Joan Kroc Center and the United Way of Kootenai County for the 5th Annual Volunteer Fair.
For more information contact: [email protected] or [email protected].
National Volunteer Week, April 15-21, is about inspiring, recognizing and encouraging people to seek out imaginative ways to engage in their communities. Check out the United Way's Volunteer Center and visit the volunteer fair for opportunities to get involved.
To find out more about volunteer opportunities visit United Way's Volunteer Center at www.kootenaiunitedway.org or (208) 667-8112.