Helping Hands

Volunteers at The Center are an important part of what we do. Around the holidays, we had some amazing support from volunteers, especially in our Santa's Workshop where the kids' presents were sorted and wrapped. Led by our endlessly giving volunteer Kelly Johnson, we had groups come in from GE, Waste Management, National Charity League, as well as some awesome individuals.

In the weeks leading up to the holidays, we also had some very special meals and activities planned by groups like Capitol Special Risks, Publix, Freshens, a group of KSU students, and one led by Venetia Smith. Anyone who knows how antsy kids can get when they've had too much "free" time should understand what a big help these fun distractions were!

While the holidays are especially important, your support is needed year-round. If you're interested in volunteering at The Center, below are some ideas of how you and your group can get involved:

• Meals: This is a great opportunity for small groups of 3-8 volunteers. You can prepare a meal or order something from a restaurant and then serve our kids. These donations save us on food costs, give our small kitchen staff a break, and are so much fun for our kids who get excited about getting something different from their normal routine.
  
• Game Night: You and your group can lead a game night at The Center, anything from Pictionary and Catchphrase to Karaoke and card tournaments.
  
• Crafts: Share your talents with our kids and lead them in a night of craft projects. This is especially popular over at Open Gate.
  
• Facilities Help: We have a large campus and limited staff for upkeep. Perhaps you are a talented gardener or carpenter. You can come and help build shelves, paint walls, organize closets, clean up the yard, etc.
  
  Because of the nature of our programs and the guidelines we must follow from the State, all volunteers must be 18 and over. In addition, you will be required to sign a confidentiality oath to protect the identity of our kids in-care. Volunteers coming on a consistent basis must also have a cleared background check as well as reference checks. The process usually takes a couple of weeks, but we know those who care about our kids like we do will understand the importance of these steps.
  
  To learn more about how you or your group can get involved, please contact Merrill Autry at mautry@umbrellaweb.org or Andrea Brantley at abrantley@umbrellaweb.org.