You still have time to volunteer!

Did someone tell the world it can't be above freezing anymore? I thought we were going to get away with a balmy Thanksgiving!

The Office has been bustling and students are still doing great work, despite the pressures of impending finals!

We have a lot of new opportunities this week!


*Have a hand in cultural revival*
Fur Cultural Revival helps Sudanese immigrants navigate Portland, broaden the public's awareness of the Darfur genocide and preserve the cultural heritage of the Fur tribe. They need support in their office on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays as well as assistance with web design. For more information please contact Alicia Sampson at asampson@usm.maine.edu or 228-8092.

*Get Civic on the Back Cove*
Portland Trails is building a big greenway in Portland's Bayside neighborhood. They need input on their design, and they are seeking the input via a Public Comment forum. The day will include a trail walk, design presentation, a mapping exercise, and group work to sketch ideas. Refreshments will be provided following the trail walk. It's a great chance to shape how we use our city. The public comment forum is Saturday, November 22nd from 2:00 to 3:45pm at Zero Station, 222 Anderson Street. See the current design! Contact communtiy@usm.maine.edu for more info.

*Take a break from your level 80 Druid*
Portland Career Center and Sanford/Springvale CareerCenter (for those of you in that area) need some help with individuals coming in who do not have enough computer literacy to even use a mouse or fill out an online job application. So, give that avatar a break and help somebody
get a job and enter our modern computer world! Please contact Senja St. John at meartworks@yahoo.com, and remember to report those hours!

*Dance with STRIVE*
STRIVE would like to see students of USM volunteer any Friday evening
in South Portland 6-9pm for the weekly social and dance for 15-24 year olds with developmental and emotional disabilities. Please contact Courtney.e.babbidge@maine.edu for more information!

*Dinner at the Ronald McDonald House*
Monday, November 24th, Amanda will be headed over to the http://rmhportland.org/ at 4:30 to make a meal for the guests of the House. Please email her at avickerson@usm.maine.edu if you want to join!

*At Home In Maine Opens*
The Maine State Museum is celebrating the opening of a new exhibit titled "At Home In Maine." This exhibit is one of the largest created in the museum's history! The exhibit shows a cross-section of life from the 1800s to the 1960s through sights, sounds, and interactive displays. Go check out the summer kitchen, watch home movies in a 1960s living room, read about canning vegetables, and LEARN! For more info, email avickerson@usm.maine.edu.


Remember that this is only a brief view of what's going on in the Greater Portland area. Sites like VolunteerMatch and VolunteerMaine are great resources if you're looking for a place to give some time during this holiday season!

In fact, USM's Interfaith Office is sponsoring an Alternative Gift Fair in which students can give their time to some of our valued community partners. If you'd like more info, please email them at interfaith@usm.maine.edu. There will be a Holiday Celebration and Meal on Wednesday, December 10th. Come join the USM community during this time of festivities!

That's it for this week! Our next update will likely be in DECEMBER! EGADS!

Stay warm and have a lovely harvest feast!
Amanda