Taking A Stand For Your Community

As part of helping the Bay Area get ready for the next disaster we’ve encouraged people to find out about and enroll in Emergency Response Training on a local level. Sometimes called NERT (Neighborhood Emergency Response Training)  these community emergency response teams are composed of private individuals who sign up to receive training so they know what to do during the wait for first responders to arrive – whether it takes five minutes or five days.

But what is the training actually like? Well over at Mission L@cal they have an excellent multi-part series about the training and what you could expect.

The training is usually done by emergency responders such as fire, police, and EMT personnel and covers all the information necessary to know when disaster strikes. The types of disasters covered are extensive and begin with the basics like what to have an on hand/ emergency kits; covers the common situations like what to do in case of gas leaks, fires, or earthquakes; and even deals with less common but not unlikely events like chemical, biological or terrorist attacks.

Check out the whole series, as it is a good look at the way individuals in communities are taking the lead to prepare for disaster so they can help their neighbors.

What is the Value of an Hour of Your Time?

Estimated dollar value of volunteer time per hour

National Volunteer Week (April 19-25) starts in just six days! First established in 1974 by then-President Richard Nixon, this event has grown each year and has actually become a month-long celebration. No matter what you do, be it feeding the homeless, driving seniors to their appointments, mentoring children, giving back is a part of sustaining a great community.  Well ,besides being a great benefit to the community and the other intangibles, volunteering may also be of  monetary value as well.

Over at Independent Sector they have released their state-by-state breakdowns of the “monetary value” of volunteer hours.  In California when you give some of your time, the estimated value of that time is $23.29 per hour. They calculate based on the average wage in the area but they aren’t trying to reduce volunteerism to a dollar amount or motive.

From their site:

The estimate helps acknowledge the millions of individuals who dedicate their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. Charitable organizations can use this estimate to quantify the enormous value volunteers provide.

According to the Corporation for National and Community Service, about 61.8 million Americans, or 26.4 percent of the adult population, gave 8 billion hours of volunteer service worth $162 billion in 20081 (the 2009 numbers will be released on June 15)

In the Bay Area, our partners at the Volunteer Centers can help you find an opportunity nearby or if you would like to do some skills-based volunteerism, check out Taproot who always excellent opportunities.

United Way's Response to Haiti

The following is an update from United Way World Wide:

The response to the earthquake in Haiti is one of the largest the world has ever seen, and coordination of resources, personnel and aid has been challenging for many organizations.
While we’ve provided some immediate aid—through our networks, United Way has distributed water, juice, over-the counter medicines, first aid products, protein bars, canned foods and cleaning supplies—we continue to communicate to our donors that United Ways’ most important role is to assist with long-term recovery efforts.

Our experience has taught us to be deliberate as we consider how best to invest their donations to help those affected by the disaster.

Through our partnership with Polo Ralph Lauren, we have made an initial grant to Project Medishare to transport medical volunteers and supplies, as well as food and water, to Haiti, and we are developing a plan for how the balance of the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund will be invested.

Additional developments in the United Way Haiti response:

  • United Way of New York City and the Brooklyn Community Foundation launched the NYC Haitian Community Hope and Healing Fund. The Fund is a long-term initiative that will help strengthen New York City community based organizations so they can most effectively serve the anticipated increased number of people affected bythe Haiti earthquake who need assistance.
  • United Way of Palm Beach County raised $45,000 and has distributed the first portion to Missionary Flights International (MFI). Their Board met last week to approve additional funds to MFI as well as Communities in Schools to support the needs of Haitian children coming into their community.
  • Switchboard of Miami, which operates the 2-1-1 program, is recruiting volunteers to provide grief counseling and is offering services at Miami-Dade County welcome centers including Homestead, St. Thomas University and Miami International Airport. Potential volunteers must pass a mandatory background check. As of February 3, 17,000 people entered Florida through the Repatriation program. Among those, 195 are medical evacuees—23 remain hospitalized.
  • United Way of Thailand presented United Way Worldwide Board Member, Arthur Bellis, with a check for $5,000 for the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund to go toward our recovery and rebuilding efforts in Haiti. In response to the crisis in Haiti, women’s fashion retailer, New York & Company, is helping raise funds for the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. New York & Company will collect donations in every one of its 580 stores and online at nyandcompany.com. The company is asking every customer to add any amount to their purchase and has generously agreed to match 100% of customer donations up to $100,000. United Way is excited to partner with this national brand to help Haiti rebuild in the weeks, months and years ahead—because, as the marketing for New York & Company explains, “The Recovery is Just Beginning.”
  • Polo Ralph Lauren continues to make giving fashionable with the sale of their limited edition Haiti Relief Polo Shirt to benefit the United Way Worldwide Disaster Fund. 100% of the proceeds from online and in-store sales of the Polo Shirt, along with a corporate contribution, and an employee and corporate matching program will be donated to the Disaster Fund. United Way is proud to partner with Polo Ralph Lauren to raise funds for the relief efforts in Haiti. Buy your polo today to lend your support!