Central Service Spotlight--September 27th- October 2nd

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

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

If you are looking to assist with the Central Pantry, but cannot make a weekly committment required of a volunteer, CP Crew is for you!

The day-to-day functions of the Central Pantry are completely volunteer run, which means that sometimes, we need a little extra help to make everything happen! CP Crew is a group people who are the Central Pantry's biggest fans! They are ready to jump in when help is needed and excited to help out with projects that come up throughout the year!

By joining CP Crew, you will be added to our group message and notified anytime some extra help is needed (i.e. a large intake of doantions needs to be sorted, a department on campus has donations ready for pick-up, a pop-up pantry needs re-filled, etc.).  If you are able to help, you can claim the job.  If you aren't free, no big deal!  Your committment is as much as you want!

Sign up on UCORE!

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 start October 3rd.

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

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.
 

Interested in politics, policy, finance, and/or communications? Apply to become a campus fellow for Kendra Horn and help increase civic engagement on your campus! 

Campus Fellow Application
https://forms.gle/px9t2tHwxnmJY2RG9

Contact Info: 
Brittiany Tu
UCO Kendra Horn Campus Fellow
btu2@uco.edu

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.

Palomar: OKC's Family Justice Center
Join Palamor to celebrate 5 years and what the future hold for OKC's Family Justice Center. This is a wonderful opportunity for students who are looking for future volunteer work or internship opportunitites to connect with a community partner.  Students will learn more about the Family Justice Center model and hear from several community leaders.

To learn more, visit this Event Link or for further information email, Volunteer and Engagement Coordinator, Andie Sheppard- McDermott, at andie.sheppard-mcdermott@palomarokc.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.

FreedomCity
Freedom City is looking for homework helpers, math buddies, pen pals, reading buddies, and more! For any questions please reach out to Alexia Converse, our mentoring coordinator for more information: alexia@freedomcityokc.com or contact Lena Lawson, our reading and math buddies coordinator, for more information: lena@freedomcityokc.com or visit freedomcityokc.galaxydigital.com

Scissortail Park Farmer's Market
Horticulture Heroes
Our Horticultural staff is short-handed and desperately needs assistance with weeding.  Summer weed control can be a huge challenge and it is difficult to keep our Park beautiful and weed-free.  Volunteers are enormous help and greatly appreciated! 

If interested in assisting our staff weed the grounds, please go to https://scissortailpark.galaxydigital.com/ to sign-up for Horticultural Heroes or email volunteer@scissortailpark.org. 

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

                                 







Pet Food Pantry

Come help your local community by volunteering with Central Oklahoma's Pet Food Pantry!

Why we do it:
The Pet Food Pantry of Central Oklahoma delivers free pet food and supplies to low-income seniors, veterans, disabled, homeless and those in domestic violence shelters so they can feed and care for their companion pet while helping them afford their own food and medical supplies.

They provide these services so that: No one will go hungry, no one will have to give up their pet, fewer animals will end up in rescues, shelters or on the streets, the pet’s person won’t have to give up their own food to feed their pet.

What you will do:
Volunteer opportunities at the Pet Food Pantry of Central Oklahoma include:

• Reducing hunger in pets of the homeless, low-income senior citizens & veterans by providing free pet food, enabling them to keep their companion animal(s) with them.
• Working with local senior citizen, homeless & veteran programs to identify those in need of free pet food & services.
• Assisting in providing routine vaccinations, spaying/neutering, collars, leashes, tags & shelters.
• Reducing the number of pets being surrendered or abandoned due to lack of pet food &/or medical needs, lessening the burden of homeless pets on local animal shelters & rescue groups, reducing the number of animals being euthanized.
• Providing assistance to improve the quality of life for these companion animals through proper nutrition, medical needs & spay/neuter programs.
• When needed, helping guardians of these pets find safe, loving homes.
• Reducing the abuse, neglect & over population of all animals by educating the public about responsible pet ownership including spay/neuter & proper care including medical, nutritional & training issues.

How to sign up:
Use This Link  to sign- up as a volunteer at the Pet Food Pantry of Central Oklahoma, or email info@petfoodpantryokc.org, to learn more.