Central Service Spotlight--October 31st November 6th

There are so many opportunities to get invovled in Communtiy Engagement and the local OKC/Edmond area through service this semester.

Check out what is going on both on campus and in the OKC and Edmond Communities below! Don't see what you are looking for in these opportunities? Come see us in the Community Engagement office (NUC 141) and we will help get you connected to a Community Partner or local opportunity. 

For any questions, please reach out to Community Enagement at volunteer@uco.edu.

Follow us on Instagram @uco_ce to keep up with our events and programming!
 

Upcoming Community Engagement Involvement Opportunities

Central Pantry Birthday Week Sculpture Competition
Join the Central Pantry and Community Engagement in the inaugural Central Pantry Birthday Sculpture Competition to celebrate the Central Pantry’s 10th Birthday. Teams composed of student organizations, offices, friends, or colleagues are invited to compete in building a sculpture out of donations for the Central Pantry.

• Best Representation of the Theme: “Birthday Celebration”
• Most Creative
• Heaviest Sculpture (in pounds)
• Central Pantry Needs
• People’s Choice

Voter Central
The elections in November are just around the corner and it is time to start getting ready! Community Engagement is your one-stop shop for all things election related. Starting on Tuesday, September 20th with National Voter Registration Day all the way through the election, stop by Communtiy Engagement to get registered to vote, ask questions about the voting process in Oklahoma, get absentee ballots notarized and much more!

To start learning more about voting in Oklahoma, check out the Oklahoma Voter Portal.

Central Pantry Client Registration Open
The Central Pantry is UCO's on-campus, free food pantry for all students, faculty, and staff.  Once you sign up as a client, you can come shopping at the Central Pantry once a week for your entire household.

The 2022-2023 Client Form is now open.  Sign-up today to start shopping when school starts! Register on UCORE.

Broncho Bites Notification Opt-In
Broncho Bites is a new initiative on campus to help reduce food waste and provide meals to the UCO campus community. Through this program, food left over at the end of the daily lunch hours in Ayers Kitchen will be rerouted to the Broncho Bites refrigerator outside of the Central Pantry (NUC 151). This food will be available to any student, faculty, or staff member that wants to grab a meal on the go.

In order to let the campus know when food is available, all interested participants can opt-in to the Broncho Bites notification system to receive a text or email notification any time food is delivered to the Broncho Bites refrigerator.

Register to receive notifications when the program starts!

On-Campus Service Opportunities

Winter Glow
Winter Glow is hosting its annual fun, festive, and free holiday activities for the Edmond community! This year, Winter Glow will take place on December 2nd from 6pm-9pm!
 
Volunteers are required to attend 1 training event on either: November 17th from 5pm-7pm or November 28th from 10am-12pm. Volunteers are also encouraged, but not required, to participate in the Decoration Day with PCCCP (Presidents Club Children’s Community Party) on November 30th from 6pm-9pm.

Sign Up HERE to volunteer!

Broncho Bites Volunteers
Broncho Bites is a new initiative on campus to help reduce food waste and provide meals to the UCO campus community. Through this program, food left over at the end of the daily lunch hours in Ayers Kitchen will be rerouted to the Broncho Bites refrigerator outside of the Central Pantry (NUC 151). This food will be available to any student, faculty, or staff member that wants to grab a meal on the go.

Volunteers will be critical to the success of Broncho Bites! UCO student, faculty, and staff volunteers will be needed daily to package, record, label, and transport meals from Ayers Kitchen in Bausher Place to the Central Pantry in the Nigh University Center.

Shifts will be available every week day that campus is open. Each shift will last from 2:00pm-3:30pm.  All volunteers will meet with a Broncho Bites representative at Ayers Kitchen to start their shift.

Register Here. Shifts have started and will go through the last day of school of the semester.

Questions? Email centralpantry@uco.edu.

If your office or organization has upcoming student volunteer opportunities, please send the information to volunteer@uco.edu to have it included in our weekly emails.

Community Partner Service Opportunities

OKC Zoo
The OKC Zoo is ready for their next big event; OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS! This winter, they are looking for volunteers who are ready to go wild and fill their holiday season with the magic of light. OKC ZOO SAFARI LIGHTS returns nightly beginning Saturday, November 12 through Sunday, January 1. Feel the holiday cheer as a volunteer guiding their guests through larger-than-life light displays showcasing wildlife themed light sculptures, animated light displays, festive treats, and visits from Santa.

All volunteers will be required to complete a waiver of liability. Volunteers must be 14 years of age or older. Individuals under the age of 18 must have a waiver of liability signed by a custodial parent or legal guardian. Individuals under the age of 16 must be accompanied by an adult.

To thank you for your time, Safari Lights volunteers will earn one free general admission to the OKC Zoo per shift they participate in. Volunteer verification forms will be available on request. Safari Lights volunteers will not be granted free admission to the event outside of their volunteer shift, but may purchase admission to the event if they choose to attend as a guest.

Sign up HERE to be a volunteer!
First Americans Museum
The First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City is now accepting applications for its 2023 class of docents. This important volunteer role provides tours for school groups and walk-in tours. Because daytime availability is required, this is a good fit for folks with flexible work schedules or those who are retired.

Initial training will take place each Tuesday from 1-4 p.m. from Jan. 10-April 25, 2023. Once graduated, they require at least nine tours given per quarter and will offer one training per month. Docents enjoy complimentary membership, unique opportunities to meet with curators, artists and cultural practitioners, and the fun of meeting new friends. 

Read more and apply by Oct. 31, 2022 at www.famok.org/volunteer. If you have questions, you may schedule an informational call with the FAM Director of Learning & Community Engagement at: https://calendly.com/adriennelallihills/phone-call-30-minute-meeting-clone 

Metropolitan Library System
The Metropolitan Library System has many upcoming volunteer opportunities:

• Southern Oaks Library Halloween Party-Saturday, October 29 from 1:30 - 4:30 pm.  Click here for more information or to sign up!

• Belle Isle Library Fall Frolic- Saturday, November 5 from 2 - 4 pm Celebrate fall with booths, games and prizes. Click here to help or find out more!

Freedom City
Freedom City is looking for in-person volunteers to help with their homework helpers, math buddies, pen pals, and reading buddies programs! For any questions, contact mentoring coordinator, Alexia Converse, at alexia@freedomcityokc.com or contact Reading and Math Buddies Coordinator, Lena Lawson, at lena@freedomcityokc.com or visit freedomcityokc.galaxydigital.com

Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma
There are several upcoming volunteer opportunities in October at the Down Syndrome Association of Central Oklahoma:

First Serve OKC
Every October, First Serve OKC hosts their fundraising event, Raise Your Racquet, that keeps their programs and organization running! This year, the event is on Friday, October 21st and they are looking for volunteers to help all day with: Set up, Decorations, Cleaning, Check-in, Check out, Tear down, and Miscellaneous tasks.

Sign up HERE to become a Volunteer or contact Program Coordinator, Jewels Alura Martinez, at jewels@firstserveokc.org.

Storybook Forest Volunteers
The City of Edmond, Arcadia Lake will host its 16th annual Storybook Forest from October 23-30. Storybook is a children’s trick or treat event, where kids visit scenes from classic storybook stories and collect candy.  They roast hotdogs around a campfire while listening to stories, play games in a carnival area, and take a hayride around the park.  Volunteers are needed to hand out candy, read stories to the children, operate the games in the carnival area, and assist with the hay ride.  We will also be needing volunteers to dress in costume and act out scenes or be Characters for photo ops, and others to assist with parking.

Volunteers will need to check in no later than 5pm and be available through 9pm.

For more information or to sign up for this event, please contact Nicole or Julie at nicole.offutt@edmondok.com or  405-216-7470.
 

Bethany Children's Health Center
Bethany Children's Health Center volunteer opportunities include:

Patient Companion: Volunteers send one-on- one time with patients of all ages, with the goal of providing engaging activities, physical comfort, and joy. Weekday shifts are 9-11 am, 2-4 pm, 4-6 pm, and 6-8 pm.

Play While You Wait: Volunteers provide engaging activities such as crafts, games, and puzzles to patients and siblings in the Outpatient Services waiting area. Weekday shifts are 8:30-10 am; 10-11:30 am; 1-3:30 pm.

Special Education Volunteer: Volunteers assist in each of the Center’s six special education classrooms, assisting patients with language activities, music therapy sessions, craft projects and more. Classes last one hour and occur between the hours of 9 am-12 pm and 2-4 pm, M-F.

Therapy Gym Volunteer: This volunteer postition is open to college students who are currently pursuing degrees in physical, occupational or speech therapy, music therapy or recreation therapy. Volunteers facilitate one- on-one or small group activities, and sanitize and organize therapy equipment. Volunteers must commit to one weekly two-hour shift for 15 weeks. Shifts are 9-11 am and 2-4 pm, M-F.

For more information, contact Volunteer Coordinator, Lee Lewis, at LeeAndrea.Lewis@lifespringhomecare.com or call 405-329-4545.

The Arc of Oklahoma
The Arc of Oklahoma is currently seeking volunteers in the OKC and surrounding area for their OK Aim Program.

Oklahoma Advocates Involved in Monitoring (OK AIM), is the independent component of the system created by the State of Oklahoma to ensure people with IDD live quality lives and receive the best possible community-based residential services. The Arc will work with your schedule to complete the 8-hour training in three sessions so that you can perform “quality of life” visits to individuals. 

For details, contact Stacey Figueroa at (918) 582-8272 or sfigueroa@thearcok.org.

APEX Hospice
Apex Hospice is seeking volunteers to visit hospice patients that either live in their own homes or facilities. Volunteers will stop by for a friendly visit, help with chores, or give the caregiver a break. Volunteering is flexible and can work around any schedule.

Email or call Volunteer Coordinator, Brenda Garrett, to schedule a training at your convenience at Bgarrett.mission@gmail.com or 405-850-4580.

Feed the Children Volunteer Opportunities
Feed the Children is looking for volunteer groups to help build food or hygiene boxes that go out to families in Oklahoma. Shifts last 2-3 hours during the week and occasionally on Saturdays. In our Oklahoma warehouse, we have the pleasure of housing our Teacher Store which provides approved teachers with donated books, supplies, etc. The Teacher Store needs help from volunteers to check teachers in/out on shopping days, sort, organize, and stock the donated supplies.

To register or learn more, go to https://www.feedthechildren.org/get-involved/volunteer/ or contact Hailey Montgomery at hailey.montgomery@feedthechildren.org.

Humanity Hospice Volunteer Opportuntiies
Volunteering with Humanity Hospice is a wonderful way to give back to the community, increase preference points for college, future employment and much more. There are many ways to volunteer at Humanity Hospice. Each area of service is equally important and all of them help us to achieve our goal of providing the best care possible for our patients and their loved ones. 

Opportunities include but are not limited to the following:

Administrative:  This can be done between normal business hours; Monday - Friday 8:00am - 5:00pm. Tasks include helping with various office duties such as phones, filing, faxing, and putting together packets.

Events:  These hours vary in days and times. Tasks include things like hosting Bingo at a facility, helping Marketers with various events and luncheons, dropping off gifts to patients, physicians and facilities, putting together crafts and gift baskets as well as other types of marketing needs. 

Patient Care:  Humanity Hospice serves patients in numerous areas across the state both in homes and facilities. Volunteers who serve by visiting with patients and families may do so on days and times of their choosing. Patient care volunteers are there to provide emotional support through human contact. No administering of medications, medical interventions, hygiene services and so forth are done by volunteers. Simple companionship is all that is needed. 

This is just a few of the many things volunteers at Humanity Hospice can do. Others include music therapy, serving our veterans and so forth. Hospice volunteering changes so many lives with just a few moments of time.

For more information, contact Kerri Wells, Volunteer Coordinator at kerri@humanityhospice.com

Coffee Creek Riding Center 
Creek Riding Center offers free therapeutic riding opportunities to disabled children ages 3 - 11 years! The riding center needs volunteers for mid-day and after school classes. Volunteers can  sign up to volunteer for a once a week volunteer opportunity for the duration of the semester. The time commitment is 1 or 1 1/2 hours a week. 

For more information visit their website is coffeecreek.org or contact Joy Milligan at coffeecreekriding@sbcglobal.net

Edmond Mobile Meals
Edmond Mobile Meals needs volunteers for meal delivery to Homebound Seniors. Meals are delivered Monday - Friday between 10:30am-12:30pm. Volunteers pick up meals and deliver a route to homebound seniors in Edmond.

Visit https://edmondmobilemeals.org/volunteer/ to sign up to volunteer. For any questions please reach out to Cristi Twenter at cristi@edmondmobilemeals.org 

Educational Guardians
An Ed GAL is a volunteer educational advocate appointed by the Juvenile Court in Oklahoma County with a court order for the best educational interest of a child/youth who is in DHS custody.  Ed GALs have access to educational records and are mentors to the child/youth assisting in removing barriers to a successful school experience and accessing community services for academic success.  This program has been in existence for 3 years with OLFC. Ed GALs receive specialized training to prepare to serve as educational advocates.   

To learn more about volunteering as an Ed GAL, email Scott Kaufman with Oklahoma Lawyers for Children at skaufman@olfc.org.

The Fountains at Canterbury
The Fountains at Canterbury located in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, is a retirement community offering Independent Living, Assisted Living, Memory Care, Rehabilitation and Skilled Nursing. Volunteer opportunities are offered throughout the community to compliment and boost thier activity calendar. All volunteers are required to have had the COVID vaccine.

Volunteer Opportunities: Calling Bingo, Pet Therapy, Music Therapy, Leading a class in a wide range of topics: technology, arts, music, cooking, cultural, travel, history, pop culture. 

To share a skill, interest or hobbies with our residents-all of our residents enjoy music, theatre and dance!

They are having a Great Gatsby themed week in November from the 15th to the 21st, if there are any programs interested in supporting this.

For more information or to sign up for any of these events Please contact Lorna Deaton at lornardeaton@watermarkcommunities or call Lorn at 405.476.2195.

Creative Music Academy
Creative Music Academy is looking for any musicians that are interested in volunteering or interning in their music school. This non-profit music school that supports students in vitual or homeschool learning by teaching music lessons.

To learn more, contact Ann Booze at creativemusicacademyinc@gmail.com.

Traditions Health Edmond Hospice Volunteer
Traditions Health is seeking individuals to volunteer to spend time with a patient, provide help to a caregiver or assist with activities in a facility. If you have a desire to be of service to those in hospice care, we have a desire for you to be a part of our hospice team as a volunteer! A current driver's license and automobile insurance verification are required. There will be a background check and fingerprinting done.

Please contact Susan Lide, Volunteer Coordinator at 405-936-9433 or susan.lide@traditionshealth.com.

Good Shepard Hospice Volunteer Opportunities
Medical Office Administrative Volunteers
Do you enjoy organizing, computer work, and working on special projects? Do you have a desire to help others? Become an Administrative Assistant Volunteer for Good Shepher Hospice! As a hospice office volunteer you will assist our staff in so many significant and meaningful ways. Office Volunteers are very important in helping our patients and families. 

Patient Care Volunteers
Do you want to look back over your life and feel a sense of pride? Do you desire to accomplish meaningful, worthwhile activity as long as you are able? Do you have a desire to help others? Become involved as a Patient Care Volunteer for Good Shepherd Hospice! Patient Care Volunteers are significant helpers for our terminally-ill patients and their families in their time of need. Patient Care Volunteers visit their assigned patient one hour a week to provide companionship, emotional comfort and family support. 

Please visit our website at: www.goodshepherdhopice.com or contact Christa Cook, Volunteer Coordinator at 405-943-0903 or christa.cook@goodshepherdhospice.com

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Grit for Democracy
Come help your local community by volunteering with Grit for Democracy!

Why we do it:
Grit launches voter registration initiatives, voter education programs, and encourages the next generation of Oklahomans to engage in the Democratic process. 

In 2020, Oklahoma had the lowest voter participation in the country. Only 55% of the 2.85 million voting-eligible Oklahomans cast a ballot in 2020. That's much lower than the national average of 66.4%. For far too long, Oklahoma has been one of the worst states in the country for healthcare, public education, and working families. By engaging more Oklahomans in the Democratic process through voter registration and voter education programs, our state can lead once again with a new generation of leadership and close the door on the failed politics of the past.

What you will do:
Over the past few months, Grit has been hard at work identifying Oklahomans who haven't yet registered to vote. They've found 36,000 folks who aren't having their voices heard at the polls.  They need your help to change that.  Everyone's voice matters.

They've sent a mailer to all 36,000 unregistered voters with instructions on how to register.  However, they know not everyone will act just because they got a letter in the mail.  That's where you come in!

They need help with:

• Calling and texting the folks who got the mailer and making sure they have registered.  You can do this from the comfort of your home or on the go.  Simply attend a quick training on phone banking and they'll get you set up!  
• Mailing personalized postcards to folks who they may not have phone numbers or emails for.  Volunteers will be responsible for printing and postage, but if you're able to help with this, it will make a significant difference.  
• Recruiting more volunteers.  If you have friends you know who would love to join the effort to register more voters or are willing to share their program on your social media, you could help expand their reach significantly.  

How to sign up:

Use This Link to sign-up to be a volunteer!