New Mainers Event

New Mainers Event Description:

Is your club or school group or your group of friends interested in learning more about the refugee population in Portland? Would you like to make a difference in someone's life? We are currently looking for a club  who would be interested in helping us put together a "New Mainers Event" on May 7th at the University Green on campus. The New Mainers event is open to all refugees who arrived in 2010-2011. It is the only event held each year where all of the newly arrived refugees can get together in one location. We need help securing donations, planning games and activates for the children, and organizing the event. For more information please contact Amanda Drapcho, Community Service Coordinator, adrapcho@usm.maine.edu

Sincerely,

 

Amanda Claire Drapcho

 

Community Service Coordinator

Office Of Community Service Learning

University of Southern Maine

(207) 780 4209

adrapcho@usm.maine.edu

 

 

Amanda Claire Drapcho

 

Community Service Coordinator

Office Of Community Service Learning

University of Southern Maine

(207) 780 4209

adrapcho@usm.maine.edu

Students in Service: A few positions still available!

A few opportunities are still available to USM students who want to positively impact the lives of youth, strengthen USM's community partnerships, AND earn a scholarship, in the pilot of our new Students in Service AmeriCorps Program: 

• Be a mentor to two students at King Middle School and/or Portland High School.
• Participate in AmeriCorps member development opportunities reflecting on active citizenship.
• Report this and other voluntary service you already do to complete 300 hours of service in a calendar year.
• Qualify for a $1132 Education Award, in the form of a voucher toward the payment of tuition or qualified student loans.

The number of positions available is limited, as is the time for application.  To begin the application process, contact Emma Catherine Perry, eperry@usm.maine.edu or 780-4679.  To learn more about Students in Service, see www.studentsinservice.org. 

 

 

 

 

Andrea Thompson McCall

 Director of Community Service Learning

 University Interfaith Chaplain

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403

Critical Blood Shortage

Once again, an appeal from our good friends and community partners at the American Red Cross, with a reminder that there will be blood drives on Thursday, February 17th, 11 AM - 4 PM in Portland (Wishcamper Center) and Gorham (Brooks Student Center).  -ATM

Major Winter Storms — February 3, 2011

Since January 1, winter storms have forced the cancellation of over 750 blood drives, resulting in a shortfall of more than 28,000 blood and platelet donations. We urge people who are eligible to schedule an appointment to give blood now or as soon as travel conditions permit.

o       Yesterday alone, nearly 6,200 units of blood and platelets were unable to be collected due to blood drive cancellations from New England to the upper Midwest.

o       You can schedule your donation time by calling 1-800-RED CROSS or visiting www.redcrossblood.org.

o       All blood types are needed, but there is a special need for donors with O-Negative, A-Negative and B-Negative blood.

o       Whole blood has a shelf life of 42 days and platelets only five.

o       Blood is routinely moved around the country to meet needs, but the storm-related losses mean there is still a large deficit.

o       While individuals are stepping up to assist with this shortage, the Red Cross needs additional donors to give the gift of life.

o       To be eligible, you must be 17 years of age or older (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and be in generally good health. High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements. Individuals should bring their Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when coming to donate.

Jennifer Goldman

Donor Recruitment Representative

American Red Cross

524 Forest Avenue

Portland, ME  04101

(207)775-2367 (t)

(207)699-6028 (c)

Goldmanjr@usa.redcross.org

 

Andrea Thompson McCall

 Director of Community Service Learning

 University Interfaith Chaplain

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403

This Week In Service

 

Hello Community Service Types,                                                                   Here is your weekly dose of community service opportunities - with a more than appropriate winter theme.

"In The Loop"!  Knitting Benefit

·         When: Saturday February 26^th 9am-3pm

·         Where: Hope Gate Way 185 High St.  Portland

Look for the "P" at the Parking garage to find the Hope Gate Way entrance.

Knit winter wear to donate to local shelters. Please bring your own yarn, needles, patterns and enthusiasm! Come alone or with a team. Light refreshments provided!

 Please contact Heather Correia at Goodwill Industries of Northern New England

207-370-3935 (Office) or 207-229-7168 (Work Cell)

 

Shovel Snow for a Senior

·         When:  After every snowfall of 3" or more

·         Where: At an address or addresses agreed upon by you and the project organizer

Clear sidewalks for Portland residents over 65. A city ordinance requires that residents clear the sidewalk in front of their homes within 24 hours after every storm. Shovels provided; you bring the muscle!

Please contact Joan Sheedy 774-7616.

 

Winter Coat & Boot Drive 

·         When: By arrangement         

·         Where: By arrangement         Immigrants & refugees         

Organize and hold a winter coat & boot drive in your location or in partnership with a location. Ensure that everyone has a coat this winter.    

Please contact Aimee Bullard, Catholic Charities Refugee & Immigration Service, 523-2737 or abullard@ccmaine.org

 

Best,

The Farmhouse

 

University of Southern Maine

Office of Community Service Learning

(207)228-8091 / fax (207)228-8403

community@usm.maine.edu

http://usm.maine.edu/studentlife/communityservice

 

Trauma Intervention Program Volunteer Training

TIP - Trauma Intervention Program - trains citizen volunteers to provide emotional and practical support to victims of traumatic events and their families in partnership with Greater Portland area first responders.  Spring Volunteer Training Academy begins March 3rd, and includes 35.5 hours of training.  For information call Leslie Skillin-Calder, Community Counseling Center, 207-55-39311.

 

 

 

 

Andrea Thompson McCall

 Director of Community Service Learning

 University Interfaith Chaplain

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403

Great upcoming event!

On behalf of Americorps and Goodwill Industries Youth Services

You are Cordially Invited to Attend our

In The Loop

Knitting Benefit

Saturday, February 26^th

9 a.m. to 3p.m.

 

at Hope Gate Way 185 High St, Portland

With light Refreshments provided!

 

This event will be devoted to knitting, so please bring needles, yarn or patterns, all skill levels encouraged and invited! Also, learn a Hand Knit method to make a

scarf in a matter of minutes!

 

All winter wear made will be donated to several local shelters and programs that can distribute them to the Public.

 

Look for the Parking Garage "P" to find Hope Gate Way's Entrance.

Street parking is also available.

How many items can our group donate? Come with a goal or guess in mind and if close, you may win a prize!

 

FMI please contact Heather at 207-370-2925 or 603-229-7168

Heather.Correia@goodwillnne.org

Thanks and hope to see you there!

 

Amanda Claire Drapcho

 

Community Service Coordinator

Office Of Community Service Learning

University of Southern Maine

(207) 780 4209

adrapcho@usm.maine.edu

Blood Drive: Need is Urgent!

FYI:  On Thursday, February 17, 11 AM - 4 PM, there will be American Red Cross Blood Drives on the Portland Campus (Wishcamper Center) and on the Gorham campus (Brooks Student Center), sponsored respectively by the Alternative Spring Break Student Organization and by the Student Athlete Advisory Council.  -ATM

 

Severe Winter Storms Impact Blood Collections

All who are eligible to donate blood urged to make an appointment

January 30, 2011 – The severe winter storms causing hazardous snow conditions in the Northeast are impacting American Red Cross blood collection efforts across New England .   Approximately 8000 units of blood are likely to be uncollected due to blood drive closures and low turnout at drives that are not able to run.  The current weather and cancellations comes at a challenging time to collect blood, as donations typically decline during the winter holiday season.  

All blood types are needed.   Type O-negative blood donors are especially needed as the inventory has dropped to critical levels.   O-Negative blood is the universal blood type.  It can be transfused to anyone and is often used in emergency situations when there is no time to obtain the patient's blood type.  Since Type O-negative blood can be used for all patients in need, it is critical that there is a sufficient supply.

The American Red Cross needs the help of all who are eligible to donate blood to please make an appointment to donate now to help ensure blood is available for patients.  Also, the Red Cross urges all those who were unable to keep their appointments due to weather conditions to please reschedule.  The only source of blood is a generous, volunteer blood donor.    

In the U.S. , someone needs blood every two seconds.   Every day, the Northeast Division must collect approximately 3,000 units of blood just to meet the basic needs of patients.

Individuals who are at least 17 years of age (16 with parental permission in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood.  High school students and donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.  Please bring your Red Cross blood donor card or other form of positive ID when you come to donate.

All presenting donors in Maine will receive a buy one get one ski pass* to either Shawnee Peak or Mt. Abram .  To schedule an appointment or to sponsor a blood drive, please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit redcrossblood.org today. 

*Prizes are non transferrable and not redeemable for cash. 

Jennifer Goldman

Donor Recruitment Representative

American Red Cross

524 Forest Avenue

Portland, ME   04101

(207)775-2367 (t)

(207)699-6028 (c)

Goldmanjr@usa.redcross.org

 

Andrea Thompson McCall

 Director of Community Service Learning

 University Interfaith Chaplain

University of Southern Maine

P.O. Box 9300

Portland, ME 04104-9300

 

Phone 207-228-8284

FAX 207-228-8403