Opportunities to Serve

Often, but especially in this season of reflection, we are asked for suggestions on opportunities to serve. Groups, families and individuals want to express their gratitude for their blessings through giving of them selves. Some of these listings come from our experience with these groups and others by their reputation for doing good in the community.

The Blind Center of Nevada

The Blind Center provides work opportunity and social activities and strives to create a positive social setting and support system for individuals who are blind or visually impaired.

1001 N. Bruce Street, Las Vegas, NV, 89101

Phone#: 702-642-6000

Contact: Elise Leos or Ronnie Wilson

Individuals welcome, Groups also.

Types of work tasks for volunteers:

Assist at front desk or with art and music classes, read to clients, help assemble projects, host guests and escort clients to activities. Volunteers with knowledge of computers are also needed.

The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation

The Nevada Childhood Cancer Foundation works side by side with the medical community to provide social, emotional, educational, financial and psychological support services and programs to families of children with a life threatening or critical illness such as cancer, HIV/AIDS, sickle cell, hemophilia, renal disorders and other immunologic diseases.

6070 S. eastern Ave., Las Vegas, NV., 89119

Contact: Barbara Porter,

Phone #: 702-735-8434,

e-mail: barbara@nvccf.org

Individuals and Groups are welcome.

Min/Max number: All welcome

Types of work tasks for volunteers:

Volunteers are needed to assist with many of the events throughout the year.

Family Promise of Las Vegas

(formerly, Interfaith Hospitality Network) is committed to helping homeless achieve lasting independence, by mobilizing our community to help provide safe shelter, meals, and support services. (a 30-day program to get the children into school, help families acquire housing and employment, and provide healthcare, clothing and furniture.)

Contact:

320 South 9th St., Las Vegas, NV 89101-5511
Phone #: 702-638-8806

e-mail: lvihn@earthlink.net

Volunteers fix or deliver food to host sites, to families, help with general chores and more.

Shade Tree

The Shade Tree meets two needs. First, homeless or abused women and children are offered immediate protection and safety. Next, we help our clients return to a life of stability, dignity, and self-reliance.

#1 West Owens (at Main St.), N.L.V., NV,

Phone #:702-385-0072-ext.105 ,

e-mail: vc@theshadetree.org.

Individuals welcome, Groups also.

Min/Max number: All welcome

Types of work tasks for volunteers:

Tutor GED preparation, banking, math, reading and computer skills and there is also a need for bilingual volunteers as Client Advocates, in Parenting Classes and Life Skills Classes.

Ronald McDonald House

Ronald McDonald House aims to meet guest families’ daily needs by offering a caring environment where sharing families help each other to relieve feelings of isolation and helplessness.

Services include transportation; clothing and personal items; counseling referrals, memorial or legal services; and communication resources with friends and family.

2323 Potosi Street, Las Vegas, NV, 89146

(off of Sahara, west of Decatur)

Contact: Sarah Crichlow,

Phone #: 252-4663, ext 3,

Individuals are welcome. Groups up to 10

Types of work tasks for volunteers:

Volunteers help in preparing meals, light house keeping and help facilitate events.

Nevada Partnership for Homeless Youth

The NPHY is a volunteer based program designed to help abused, runaway, homeless youth who may have been subjected to, or are at risk, of sexual exploitation achieve self-sufficiency, stronger independence and reduced isolation through on-going support.

4800 S. Maryland Pkwy, Suite E

“The Safe Place” (at Reno, next to the 7-11)

Las Vegas, NV, 89119

Contact: Larry Lovelett,

Phone#: 702-383-1332.

e-mail: llovelett@nphy.org

Types of work tasks for volunteers:

Staff information desk, answer questions, refer clients to resource facilities, tutor GED preparation, banking, math, reading and computer skills and serve refreshments. Volunteers may also help canvass neighborhoods circulating NPHY flyers for events and services.

University Medical Center of Southern Nevada, (UMC), is a non-profit level 1 Trauma hospital run by Clark County, founded in 1931 and affiliated with the University of Nevada, School of Medicine.

1800 W Charleston Blvd., Las Vegas, NV, 89102

Contact: Suzanne Fain

Phone#: 702-383-2388

e-mail: suzanne.fain@umcsn.com

Individuals or small groups welcome.

Types of work for volunteers: (14 yrs old min.)

“University Medical Center offers a variety of volunteer opportunities for those wishing to make a difference, from patient care to clerical, volunteers can find the right fit for their personality and lifestyle.”

Street Teens

Street Teens is dedicated to meet the survival needs of the homeless, abandoned, and at risk youth, ages 12 and up, in the Las Vegas Valley, by providing basic necessities in a safe, compassionate environment. They provide access to educational, health care, and employment services through the drop-in center and collaboration with community partners.

Contact: Executive Director Lisa Preston
Phone#: (702) 215-4171
e-mail: lisap2003@earthlink.net

e-mail: StreetTeens@Earthlink.net

Fax: (702) 215-4187

Postal address: PO Box 70478
Las Vegas, NV 89170-0478

Individuals or small groups welcome.

Types of work for volunteers:

Administrative duties, including filing, phones, copying, data entry, preparing mailings. Assist with computer usage, tutoring, job searches, mock interviews, employment applications.

If you are interested in providing our homeless teens with a hot meal once a week, month or special occasion, please contact Lisa Preston.

From all of us at the Las Vegas Humanitarian Service Room to all our friends with whom we serve, we wish you a very joyous Christmas and, especially this year, a prosperous New Year. We are so grateful for all those who we work with at the Humanitarian Service Room and in our other callings. We thank you for your selfless service and commitment. We are lifted up by your examples.

We pray that the Lord will bless you in this coming year, that you might receive those things and blessings you stand in need of and desire. Please know that we feel blessed with your friendship.

The Las Vegas HSR Missionaries

Quilt “Kits” available

In order to move the work along and to offer more people the opportunity to participate, we are now offering Quilt Kits that can be checked out to Relief Society presidencies or Stake/Ward Humanitarian leaders. These kits have precut blocks that need to be sewn together along with the fabric for backs. Batting will need to be donated. The kits may be checked out and should be returned within three weeks as a completed quilt. Until we have sufficient quantities, for the time being, we will check out one kit at a time per ward. Please call in advance (702-649-8191, ex.134, T/W/Th. 10am – 4 pm), to make sure we have some kits available.

These kits are simple and are perfect for inexperienced quilters.

The Shade Tree shelter, here in Las Vegas, is the only 24-hour accessible shelter designed specifically to meet the needs of women and children in Southern Nevada. During the last year alone The Shade Tree provided over 80,000 nights of shelter, and the daytime shelter programs served an additional 17,000 plus women and children.

The Shade Tree was mentioned in our newsletter a few months ago and is again requesting donations in the form of;

Women's grooming, hair care and hygiene items, women's sweat pants/shirts/hoodies (S-3X), underwear (5-11), wht. socks, P.J.'s, tennis shoes(5-10) and shower shoes.

Children's P.J.'s, clothing, toys and diapers. Pedialyte, baby (soy) formula. Canned soups, chili, vegetables and fruit.

Towels, blankets and twin sheets. Trash bags, paper towels, toilet paper,

Laundry soap, bleach, Windex, Pinesol, Simple Green and Lysol. Pet food and K-litter are also welcome.

Paper/styro goods like plates, cups, napkins, zip-lock bags, etc. are also needed.

Donations may be dropped off to the Humanitarian Service Room or directly to the Shade Tree.

Relief for Tsunami Victims

Within hours, local priesthood and Relief Society leaders were on the ground delivering assistance to victims of the tsunami inundating coastal regions of Samoan Islands on Tuesday Sept. 29.

A Church-chartered aircraft filled with 75 tons of relief supplies took off from the Salt Lake City Airport and arrived in Western Samoa, that same day. By mid-day Wednesday, folks who continued to endure the disaster were able to enjoy a welcome meal and a fresh change of clothing, from items brought in by the emergency airlift.

The bulk of the shipment consisted of essential provisions needed by victims who were, in some instances, left with nothing besides the clothes on their backs: food, hygiene items, clothing, bedding, mosquito nets, wheelchairs and crutches.

"The donations of our members, be it in money or goods, are what makes these relief items possible," said Elder Hamula of the Area Presidency.

From Elder Quentin L. Cook

“My heart rejoices as I observe the Saints all over the Church doing everything they can to provide Christ like service wherever there is a need. Because of member contributions, the Church can quietly and quickly, without fanfare, respond to needs all over the world. The Church is already responding to the natural disasters in the Philippines, the Pacific Islands, and Indonesia.

Last year our members responded to Hurricane Gustav. The Church worked closely with a humanitarian organization led by Martin Luther King III. Mr. King subsequently visited Salt Lake City and said: “I originally came to express my appreciation to the Church for their humanitarian support, but I quickly learned that the essence of who you are is so much deeper and (more) profound. Between the Humanitarian Center, Welfare Square, and the temple open house, I now have a greater appreciation for why you do what you do.”

In all of our stewardship efforts, we follow Jesus Christ. We try to emulate what He has asked us to do, both by His teachings and His example. With all our hearts we express our appreciation to the membership of the Church for their generous contributions and Christ like service.

Isaiah, speaking of the fast and feeding the hungry and clothing the naked, in touching language promised, “Then shalt thou call, and the Lord shall answer.” . . . “And if thou draw out thy soul to the hungry, and satisfy the afflicted soul; . . . the Lord shall guide thee continually, . . . and thou shalt be like . . . a spring of water, whose waters fail not. . . . [And] thou shalt raise up the foundations of many generations.”

A Chance to Visit with our Missionaries.

On Thursday, 10-29-09, a pot-luck dinner was held at the L.V. Humanitarian Service Room to express appreciation to recent and current missionaries at the room. In attendance were Chuck and Doris Ankenman (left), Paul and Judy Ford (below-center), Keith and Sherrie Thomas (below-left). Brandon Hinton and our new missionaries Adrienne Gilbert and Charles Coleman (below) who were welcomed, also enjoyed the festivities.




Some of the volunteers who were also in attendance included; Mary Alice Hunter, Kolana Dixon, Barbara Hughes and Neva Nemeth.

Eagle Project Guidelines

The purpose of an Eagle Scout project is to permit the candidate to demonstrate his leadership, organizational ability and industry, and to provide a service to the community. We encourage Eagle Scout candidates to fully explore opportunities to serve in their own communities. If, however, a Scout cannot find a suitable project within his community and/or where a Scout has a desire to serve internationally, the following requirements may provide an acceptable avenue to accomplish his Eagle project. Eagle Scout projects may be facilitated at theLas Vegas Latter-day Saint Humanitarian Service Room for scouts living in or near the Las Vegas area. Please review the requirements carefully before beginning your project.

1. Each scout must take a tour of the Las Vegas Humanitarian Service Room to understand the purpose of humanitarian activities throughout the world. These tours are approximately 30 minutes and can be scheduled for a weekday or evening. Calls can be made Tuesdays or Thursdays from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. to schedule a tour. The Las Vegas HSR is located at:

Humanitarian Service Room

LDS Welfare Services Complex

3750 W Craig Road

North Las Vegas, NV, 89032

Telephone 702-649-8191, Ext. 134

Hours: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Tuesdays and Thursdays (other times by appointment only)

2. Each scout must use the Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook and obtain signatures of his scout leader and the Humanitarian Service Room directors before having the project approved by the unit advancement representative and district advancement representative.

3. Each scout must follow precisely the requirements of the approved project. The scout is responsible for understanding and adhering to all of these requirements.

4. Each scout must deliver the completed items for his Eagle project in person to:

Humanitarian Service Room

LDS Welfare Services Complex

3750 W Craig Road

North Las Vegas, NV, 89032

THREE STANDARD PROJECTS

PROJECT #1: HYGIENE KITS(See a sample at the Humanitarian Service Room)

1. Produce a minimum of 100 hygiene kits

2. Each kit must contain the following NEW items:

· 2 unbreakable combs (no sharp handles)

· 4 toothbrushes (packaged)

· 1 tube of toothpaste (6-8 oz., no pumps)

· 2 bars of soap (4-5 oz.)

· 2 hand towels (approx. 15” x 25”). Please, no dish towels or wash cloths. [Hand towels may also be sewn. To sew towels, use terry cloth to make 15-inch by 25-inch hand towels. Serge or zigzag edges securely to prevent fraying.]

3. All items in each kit are to be placed in a heavy-duty one-gallon sealable plastic bag. Place the hand towels in the bag first and then place the other items on the towel so that everything is visible through the bag. Air should then be removed from the bags.

PROJECT #2: SCHOOL KITS(See sample at the Humanitarian Service Room)

1. Produce a minimum of 50 school kits

2. Each kit must contain the following NEW items:

· 4 pencils (unsharpened)

· 1 box pre-sharpened or unsharpened assorted colored pencils,
(approx. 7” long, approx. 12 pencils/box)

· 1 pencil sharpener

· 1 rubber pencil eraser (approx. 1”x2”)

· 1 straight edge ruler – not to exceed 12”, including metric measurements

· 1 pair blunt-nosed scissors (metal blades)

· Glued or spiral bound notebooks or letter size pads, with lined sheets. Include enough notebooks/pads to total approximately 450 sheets (Please do not include more than 6 notebooks/pads). Sheet size 8-1/2”x 11”, 8”x 10-1/2”, 8-1/2”x 11-3/4” are acceptable.

3. All items in each kit are to be placed in a bag made of heavy fabric with a velcro closure and handles. (See page #4)

PROJECT #3: NEWBORN KITS (See a sample at the Humanitarian Service Room)

1. Produce a minimum of 40 newborn kits.

2. Each kit must contain:

· 1 receiving blanket (see receiving blanket guidelines on page #3)

· 4 flat fold (single thickness) cloth diapers, Birdseye cloth or diaper flannel, 100% cotton, approximately 25” x 27” (please DO NOT use pre-folded or disposable diapers)

· 4 diaper safety pins

· 2 regular-sized (approximately 5 oz.) bars of soap (Ivory or other non-allergenic brands)

· 1 newborn layette gown (see layette guidelines on page #3).Do not include footed sleepers.

· 1 pair of booties or baby socks

3. All items in each kit are to be placed in a heavy-duty two-gallon sealable bag. Air should be removed from the bags and the bags sealed.

RECEIVING BLANKET GUIDELINES

SIZE: Between 36” x 36” and 45” x 45”

FABRIC: Cotton flannel of light-weight fleece

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. Cut two pieces of fabric the same size. With the right sides together, sew a ¼” seam around the edges.Leave a 6” opening. Turn inside out and press seams with an iron. You may also serge 2 pieces together, no turning needed.

2. Baste open edges and topstitch around the entire blanket for durability. Sew a 10” square in the center to keep the fabric from shifting.

(NOTE: A narrow crocheted edge or piping border is acceptable, but not required)

LAYETTE GOWN GUIDELINES

SIZE: Newborn to 6 months

FABRICS: Cotton knit

PATTERN: Available at the Humanitarian Service Room or online atwww.ldg.org/ldsfoundation/welfare. Please, no zippers, buttons, or strings.

(NOTE: See a sample at the Humanitarian Service Room)

OTHER PROJECTS:

Other projects may be suggested to the Las Vegas Humanitarian Service Room directors. These projects entail the production of items needed for humanitarian projects somewhere in the world.Each scout is responsible for clearly understanding and following all instructions relating to a specially approved project.

SCHOOL BAG SEWING INSTRUCTIONS 2006 FABRIC: Heavy to middle weight, strong and non-shrink NEEDLE: Size 14 or 18 VELCRO:Regular 3” x 1” –NO stick on Cut ONE piece of fabric 14” x 36” and fold in half to 14” x 18”, right sides facing. Sew the two side seams, leaving the top (14” width) open. PLEASE back-stitch all seam ends. Cut TWO handles 24” x 3-1/2 “ OR Cut TWO pieces 14” x 18” and with rights sides facing, sew THREE sides, leaving opening on a 14” width.PLEASE back-stitch all seam ends. ZIG ZAG all seams together. Cut TWO handles 24” x 3-1/2” IF YOU HAVE A SERGER: Serge all seams together and SERGE one24” side of the handle. Serge around opening to stop fraying. PLEASE sew a straight stitch line next to the serge line on the bags, as the serge stitches are inclined to pull apart. HANDLE (not surged): Fold ½” on one side and 1-1/2” on opposite side. Fold ½” side to overlap the 1-1/2” fold. Sew down center OR Fold 1” on un-serged side and overlap surged side. Sew down the full center of the strap. Fold top of bag opening 1-1/2” and measure 3” from side seam. Pin end of handle. Measure 3” from other end and pin the remaining end of the handle. Pin Velcro between the handle (middle). REPEAT THIS ON THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF BAG OPENING. SEW around hem (including the handles and bottom of Velcro). SECURE handles by stitching an “X” where indicated. Complete by sewing all around the Velcro pieces.