Volunteer Day at UCLA

Volunteer Day at UCLA. As a proud Alumni of UCLA, I am proud to see that my Alma Mater is encouraging its students to volunteer in the community.

Graduation Video: The Class of 2009 Journey

Today, the Leadership Morgan Hill Class of 2009 graduated with a celebration of the entire class and our journey together. Below is the Graduation Video that captures the highlights of our time together.



It was a great ride!

Volunteer Faire Video

This video captures the energy, sights and sounds of our Volunteer Faire last week.
Thank you to all who participated and made it such a great day.

Servir.gov Launches

Today Serve.gov announced the launch of Servir.gov - the Spanish-language companion to Serve.gov. As the nation celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, this new website will make it easier for Spanish-speakers to find or organize volunteer projects in their communities. See the message below:

Morgan Hill Times: Volunteer Morgan Hill Faire a Big Hit!

The Morgan Hill Times on-line edition had a brief recap of the Volunteer Faire and our success. Anyone who was there could feel the energy from all the various organizations and volunteers. A working group of us are already meeting to determine how we can improve the event for next year and develop our organization.

For story: Click Here

Morgan Hill Delivers!

The results are in and Morgan Hill delivered! We had approximately 325 volunteers registered at our event. This means that 325 individuals raised their hand and then went out to visit with the various community non-profit organizations on hand at the faire. Mind you, not everyone who came to the faire registered, which means the number is likely to be much higher. From these 325+ registered volunteers, approximately 965 commitments to serve were made!!! Let me repeat that NINE HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE!!! Which means that people signed up for multiple commitments.

This is the spirit we were looking for, this is the vision we had all along. However, we never imagined just how much and how far our volunteers would go. Morgan Hill- we CONGRATULATE you for raising your hand and hope to see you again next year.

To that end- Volunteer Morgan Hill is looking to recruit motivated individuals that would like to join us as we develop our organization and prepare for next year's event. If you are interested, please send an e-mail to VolunteerMorganHill@gmail.com

Thank you!

Live Oak High School Wins High School Challenge

With a total of 192 volunteer hours committed the Live Oak Acorns prevailed. Ann Sobrato High School came in second with 149 volunteer hours, Central High School with 32 hours, and Valley Christian with 6 volunteer hours.

Overall 379 volunteer hours were committed by our local high school students.

Thank you all for volunteering!

Volunteer Faire Photos

Photos from the Volunteer Faire have been posted on our Facebook Fan Page. To view, you can either become a fan by clicking the Fan Button on the right. Or see our two photo albums:

Volunteer Faire Banner Photos: Click Here
Volunteer Faire Photos: Click Here
Direct Link to Facebook Fan Page: Click Here

Volunteer Morgan Hill Live Update: 1pm

Live update 1pm- As we close up the 1st annual Volunteer Faire we are happy to report we have over 325 registered volunteers at our booth and more than that in commitments made to our community.

Thank you Morgan Hill for raising your hand and making a difference!

Volunteer Faire Live update (11am) Over 200 volunteers registered

As of 11am we have over 200 volunteers registered! Photos of the event so far...we are on till 1pm, so there is still time to join us and sign up! Follow our updates on Twitter- just to your right.

Today is Volunteer Morgan Hill Day!

After all the work and planning, today is the day that you can make a difference in our community. Join us as we celebrate volunteerism in Morgan Hill. The Volunteer Faire will take place from 9am to 1pm at the Morgan Hill Community & Cultural Center (17000 Monterey Road). Raise your hand, get involved, and make a difference in our community.

We'll see you there!
The Leadership Morgan Hill Class of 2009

A Special Thanks to our Logo Designer: Mosa'ati Fotu

A special thanks to Mosa’ati Fotu for creating our Volunteer Morgan Hill Logo. We challenged Mosa to come up with an image that would show cooperation and manage to incorporate Morgan Hill's iconic "El Toro." If you look closely you'll note the ridge of the mountain along the top of both hands.


To learn more about Mosa’ati and his work visit his website at http://kolowaves.com

Volunteer Faire Participant Summary

This past month we have been profiling the organizations that are participating in our Volunteer Faire tomorrow. Below is a summary listing of all 48 Volunteer Faire Participants. If you'd like to learn more about each, visit their individual profile or better yet, come to our Volunteer Faire tomorrow and talk to a representative directly.


Volunteer Faire Participants
Advent Group Ministries
American Cancer Society
American Institute of Mathematics (AIM)
American Red Cross
Bill Wilson Center
Bow Wow Adoptions
Centennial Recreation Center
Centennial Recreation Senior Center
City of Morgan Hill
Community Emergency Response Team (CERT)
Community Law Enforcement Foundation of Morgan Hill (CLEF)
Community Solutions
Discovery Counseling Center/Bridge Afterschool
DreamPower Horsemanship
Friends of the Morgan Hill Library
Friends of the San Martin Animal Shelter
German Shepherd Rescue of Northern California (GSRNC)
Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley
Help One Child
Independence Day, Inc. (IDI)
Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center
Kiwanis
Leadership Morgan Hill
Lions Club of Morgan Hill
Meals on Wheels
Morgan Hill Downtown Association (MHDA)
MHARES Ham Radio
Morgan Hill Aquatics Center Foundation
Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce
Morgan Hill Community Foundation
Morgan Hill Historical Society
Morgan Hill Police Explorers Post 811
Morgan Hill Pony Baseball
Morgan Hill Youth Sports Alliance
Mt. Madonna YMCA
Operation Lifesaver
Pacific Hills Manor (Senior Center)
Rafael Juarez
Rotary Club of Morgan Hill
Saint Louise Regional Hospital
Santa Clara County Fire Safe Council
Sister City
South County Housing
The Health Trust– Wellness, Access & Education
The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
Towncats of Morgan Hill Rescue
Wildlife Education & Rehabilitation Center (WERC)

Facebook Event Listing: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Rotary Club of Morgan Hill

In 1955, the Rotary Club of Morgan Hill was chartered as a small club in a small town. It was comprised of professionals and business people with a common bond of fellowship and the desire to serve. Today, Morgan Hill is a much larger city but still retains a small town spirit. Our Club has grown too, with about 100 members who remain an integral part of our community's character. Over the years, our Club has donated well over a million dollars for community projects and programs, over $100,000 for college scholarships, and over $250,000 for humanitarian projects overseas. This is what Rotary is all about.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Pacific Hills Manor

At Pacific Hills Manor you will find excellence in both Nursing and Therapy Services, provided by a capable and compassionate staff. We are honored to have received our company’s top awards.

Additional Awards received by our facility at this year’s Annual Meeting included:

* Operational Excellence
* Clinical Excellence for the 3rd consecutive year
* Facility Rehab Director of the Year
* Operational Excellence for Therapy Services
* Innovation Award for Occupational Therapy Program

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Operation Lifesaver

Operation Lifesaver, Inc., a national, non-profit educational organization, seeks to reduce collisions, injuries and fatalities at America’s highway-rail grade crossings and on the railroad rights-of-way. California Operation Lifesaver Train Awareness Program is a comprehensive train safety program that consists of the 3 E's: Education, Engineering and Enforcement for California's Railroad At-Grade crossings and Trespassing along the many miles of California's Railroad Rights-of-way. Free safety presentations are given to schools, community groups, school bus or professional truck drivers, emergency responders and other organizations. California Operations Lifesaver participates in many community events throughout California.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: South County Housing

South County Housing has built nearly 2,700 homes since it was founded in 1979. Our earliest project provided housing for low-income farm worker families in Gilroy, CA. Over time, our service population has broadened to include seniors, families in transition, people with disabilities and families with children. We’ve partnered with 480 families to build self-help homes where they contributed their labor, supervised by construction professionals from South County Housing.

Mission
The Mission of South County Housing is to promote viable neighborhoods that enhance healthy, sustainable communities by collaboratively providing affordable housing and neighborhood services.

Core Values
The Core Values of South County Housing are to:
* Provide quality customer service
* Maintain the highest standards of integrity
* Foster the well-being of employees, recognizing their contributions and treating them with respect
* Promote teamwork, trust, and communication throughout the agency.

Learn more by visiting our website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant & Sponsor: Kaiser Permanente

Kaiser Permanente is not only a Volunteer Faire Participants but one our biggest sponsors as well. We appreciate the support provided by Kaiser Permanente and hope they will continue to be a part of Volunteer Morgan Hill.

Kaiser Permanente San Jose Medical Center is a 248 bed hospital with a staff of 300+ volunteers. We offer a Senior and Junior Volunteer Program. Our volunteer services are focused on customer service and hospitality, complementing the quality of care provided by the staff. Volunteering will provide the opportunity to provide service to the community, gain experience in a health care setting, acquire new skills and make new friends.

Our recently renamed San Jose Medical Center is home to nearly 194,000 members. With qualified bilingual caregivers onsite and specialized services—such as a sleep-disorder clinic, weight-loss management, chemical-dependency treatment, chronic pain management and much more—our members get the personalized attention they need.

Our total approach to health addresses the whole you. You get the high-quality care you expect and the resources you need to help you live life to its fullest. Our physicians and staff are committed to improving the total health and well being of our members, and we look forward to providing you with the kind of quality and service you deserve.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce

The Morgan Hill Chamber of Commerce has many exciting programs and events planned through the next year.

Thoughtful planning has made Morgan Hill one of the most desirable and fastest growing communities in Santa Clara County. People are drawn to the beautiful hillsides surrounding the valley, the peaceful atmosphere and the superior quality of life Morgan Hill offers. Morgan Hill’s combination of climate, resources, points of interests, activities and ethnic diversity provide a solid economic environment as well as a vital and exciting community in which to live, work and play.

Morgan Hill prides itself as a family community and is home to festivals and celebrations such as the Taste of Morgan Hill; Mushroom Mardi Gras Festivals; December Holiday Parade and Tree Lighting Ceremony; Fourth of July Parade and Festivities; Friday Night Music Series; Certified Farmers Market; Downtown Safe Halloween program; and many more. Morgan Hill’s youth also have the opportunity to participate in an array of organized sports such as baseball, softball, soccer, football and aquatics, as well as activities including dance, gymnastics, karate studios and youth organizations. The Morgan Hill Unified School District also adds to the strength of the community by working hard to maintain and enhance the quality education our children deserve.

Morgan Hill offers a professional, safe, relaxed, clean and family-oriented image. It provides an excellent quality of life with many services that meet the personal needs of visitors, businesses and residents. We are a community that cares about our citizens and strives to provide the best for all. So, whether you plan to visit, work or live in Morgan Hill, there is something for everyone. Come visit the “Countryside of Silicon Valley” to see why so many consider Morgan Hill a place to build their dreams.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Lions Club of Morgan Hill

The Morgan Hill Lions club is a non-profit organization and has been serving the community of Morgan Hill since 1938. The club is made up of a diverse group of men and women dedicated in helping those less fortunate and providing the gift of sight and hearing to those in need. We also provide assistance to needy organizations.

Activities include:

* Mushroom Mardi Gras
* White Cane Day (With Live Oak FBLA)
* Annual Scholarship Raffle
* Annual Pancake Breakfast
* Independence Day Parade Float
* Taste Of Morgan Hill
* Lions Flag Day
* Student Speaker Contest

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant & Sponsor: Saint Louise Regional Hopsital

Saint Louise is not only one of our Faire participants, it is also our largest sponsor. We thank Saint Louise for its generosity and for believing in our organization.

About Saint Louise
Saint Louise Regional Hospital, opened in 1989, is a 93-bed acute care hospital offering a wide range of services to residents in both Santa Clara and San Benito counties.

Saint Louise Regional Hospital, located in Gilroy, California, is one of the esteemed Daughters of Charity Health System hospitals.
* Our Mission, Vision & Values guide everything we do at Saint Louise Regional Hospital.
* Our History - Without the commitment to serving the greater community of South Santa Clara County for over a decade, Saint Louise Regional Hospital would not be where it is today.
* Our Community is one of the fastest growing in Santa Clara County.
* Our Foundation has been raising, managing and distributing funds to benefit the hospital and its patients right here in our own community.
* News Headlines - Read current Saint Louise Regional Hospital's press releases and news items.
* Volunteer Opportunities - Join our volunteers, the heart of the hospital. To learn more about volunteer opportunities: Click Here

Our Mission
In the spirit of our founders, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Louise de Marillac and St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, the Daughters of Charity Health System is committed to serving the sick and the poor. With Jesus Christ as our model, we advance and strengthen the healing mission of the Catholic Church by providing comprehensive, excellent healthcare that is compassionate and attentive to the whole person: body, mind and spirit. We promote healthy families, responsible stewardship of the environment and a just society through value-based relationships and community-based collaboration.

Our Vision
In the context of our Mission and Vincentian Values, Saint Louise Regional Hospital is to be the center for health and healing for our communities and to nurture the spiritual and physical well being of all.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Meet Your Match at the Volunteer Faire

Today our Volunteer Faire was profiled by the Morgan Hill Times in print and on-line. Check it out: Link

Volunteer Faire Participant: American Cancer Society

The American Cancer Society is at work in communities all across the country providing programs aimed at reducing the risk of cancer, detecting cancer as early as possible, ensuring proper treatment, and empowering people facing cancer to cope and maintain the highest possible quality of life.

We have volunteer opportunities for:
1. Drivers - assist w/ cancer Patients by giving them transportation to & from treatment centers
2. Callbacks volunteers - make follow up calls to patients
3. Community events volunteerss- man the Society's table at health fairs
4. Speaker Bureau - do seminars on cancer awareness at corporate sites, schools, community centers.
5. Office volunteers - help w/ office projects/ front desk coverage.


Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council

The Santa Clara County FireSafe Council is a non-profit organization whose mission is to mobilize the people of Santa Clara County to protect their homes, community and environment from wildfires.

We are seeking volunteers to participate in Community Outreach and Education Programs in the South County Area. Our major focus is teaching youth and adults the importance of Wildfire Prevention. Volunteer opportunities include staffing our informational table at local events and participating in Smokey Bear Story Time at local elementary schools and libraries as either Smokey’s helper or as Smokey himself.

We also need help with Hazardous Fuel Reduction Chipping Programs in the Wildland Urban Interface areas surrounding Morgan Hill, San Martin, and Gilroy. These programs help homeowners to create defensible space around their properties to prevent losses in the case of a wildfire.

We are also looking for interested individuals to help start a local South County FireSafe Council that will cater to the needs of the fire prone communities in Morgan Hill, San Martin and Gilroy.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Habitat for Humanity-Silicon Valley

Our Mission:
We transform families and strengthen communities by partnering with volunteers, the community, and qualified families with low incomes, by building decent, affordable housing for long-term home ownership.

Our Vision:
To be the pre-eminent affordable home builder for hard-working, responsible families with low incomes in Santa Clara County wanting the stability and security of long-term home ownership.



History of this Affiliate:
Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley, an affiliate of Habitat for Humanity International, was incorporated as a nonprofit organization on July 21, 1986, as Bay and Valley Habitat for Humanity. In 1998 we changed our name to more accurately reflect our location. In 2007, we again updated our name to Habitat for Humanity Silicon Valley to align ourselves with the national concept of “One Habitat”.

In our 23 years of existence, we have built 44 homes:
· 24 homes in San Jose
· 10 homes in Alviso
· 6 homes in Campbell
· 3 homes in Santa Clara
· 1 home in Los Gatos

Our current projects are the construction of six homes on Gianera Street in the City of Santa Clara. Check the Construction page for more details.

Who We Serve:
We serve families who currently live in inadequate housing, are willing to volunteer a minimum of 500 hours of "sweat equity" labor on Habitat homes, and have an ability to pay for their home. All Habitat partner families participate in our Homeowner Self-Sufficiency program, designed to provide families with additional skills needed to increase economic self-sufficiency and become successful homeowners.

How Volunteers Help:
Volunteers are in integral part of Habitat's program. Volunteers, both skilled and unskilled, have helped build 44 homes to date. Volunteers also serve on our many committees, help in the office, and work on special projects. The houses are built using volunteer labor and tax-deductible donations of money and materials contributed by churches, businesses, foundations, and by individuals.

How We Change Lives:
At Habitat for Humanity we believe that decent and affordable housing empowers people to reach their full potential. By freeing families from the unending struggles that accompany inadequate shelter, our houses open doors to increased self esteem, self reliance, and sense of community. With the stability of a safe and affordable home, children do better in school and families set ambitious goals for their lives. Neighborhoods are revitalized and in the process of bringing people together to build, Habitat creates a strong sense of community. Habitat is a permanent and sustainable solution to a hard-working, deserving family’s housing problems.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Towncats of Morgan Hill

Our mission at Town Cats is to maintain a No-Kill Adoption Center/Shelter and foster home network for friendly homeless cats and kittens awaiting adoption.

We seek to:
* Bring attention to and alleviate the suffering of homeless and feral cats in Santa Clara County.
* Educate the public about the pet overpopulation problem and provide the public with the tools to become part of the solution to assist homeless and feral cats through Trap, Neuter and Return programs.
* Find permanent, loving, and safe homes for all the homeless house cats and kittens in our care.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Community Solutions

The Mission
The mission of Community Solutions is to create opportunities for positive change by promoting and supporting the full potential of individuals, the strengths of families, and the well being of our community.

The Agency
Community Solutions was founded as a teen drop-in center in 1972. Since that time, we have grown in both depth and breadth of services as a response to the growing and changing needs of our community. We provide a comprehensive spectrum of prevention, intervention, treatment, and residential services to the communities of South Santa Clara County, South San Jose and San Benito County. We are governed by a voluntary Board of Directors who live in and represent these communities. We receive support from a diverse funding base including local, state and federal government; private foundations; and contributions.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Kiwanis International

Ordinary people performing
EXTRAORDINARY WORK

Kiwanis, through guidance and example, works to develop future generations of leaders. Every day, Kiwanians are revitalizing neighborhoods, organizing youth-sports programs, tutoring, building playgrounds, and performing countless other projects to help children and communities.

Community services; we put on the Christmas Parade, assist varied non profit groups such as WERC, Womens Shelter, Senior Center breakfast, Historical Society, and many others. Money earned from varied fundraisers is given to these groups along with scholarships etc.


Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: American Red Cross

American Red Cross Silicon Valley Chapter is a non-profit, humanitarian organization that depends on the generous contributions of time and money from Santa Clara County residents and companies to provide services and programs that help our community prevent, prepare for and respond to emergencies. For more information on disaster preparedness, health and safety classes, volunteer opportunities, and financial contributions, visit our website at www.siliconvalley-redcross.org or call us at 1-877-727-6771.



Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Leadership Morgan Hill

Leadership Morgan Hill is a 9-month training and development program created to inspire future leaders to community service. The local program, founded in 1995, is similar in concept to leadership program in place in 56 California communities.

With new understanding, Leadership graduates have the opportunity to become a part of a network of corporate and community leaders who are committed to making Morgan Hill even greater.

This year's class project was the creation of Volunteer Morgan Hill and the Volunteer Faire event on September 12th. A result of the hard work and dedication by the 23 individuals of the Class of 2009.

If you are interested in being part of the Class of 2010 come by and visit the Leadership Morgan Hill booth at the Faire.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Bill Wilson Center

Our mission is to support and strengthen the community by serving youth and families through counseling, housing, education, and advocacy. Bill Wilson Center serves over 10,000 clients in Santa Clara County annually.

Bill Wilson Center is committed to working with the community to ensure that every youth has access to the variety of services needed to grow to be healthy and self-sufficient adults. Through the years, Bill Wilson Center has helped youth make positive changes in their lives.

With an emphasis on youth development, Bill Wilson Center programs focus on building self-confidence and developing personal assets. With these tools, youth can permanently change the direction of their lives.

While the agency is focused on youth, creating a healthy, safe community requires that people in all age groups receive the support they need. For this reason, Bill Wilson Center also offers services for adults and families.



Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: American Institute of Mathmatics (AIM)

Our main activities that need volunteers are the Math Mardi Gras, an annual one day event with math games and contests for students; Morgan Hill Math which provides enrichment activities for the mathematically interested in grades 4 - 12; and working in our mathematics library.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

September 12th- Volunteer Morgan Hill Day

Tonight the Morgan Hill City Council honored our class by proclaiming September 12th "Volunteer Morgan Hill Day." Here is the video from the meeting.



Thank you City Council!

Volunteer Faire Participant: Morgan Hill Youth Sports Alliance

Mission:
To facilitate sports participation for children of the greater Morgan Hill and South Valley area.

Charter:
* Provide financial assistance for youths joining member sports programs
* Facilitate Member cooperative efforts in scheduling, marketing, fundraising, & common practices
* Provide Membership services including insurance, website development, equipment, & officiating

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: The City of Morgan Hill

The City of Morgan Hill will be represented at our Volunteer Faire. Come learn more about what the city is doing for its citizens and how you can get involved.

In addition, tonight the City Council will proclaim September 12th "Volunteer Morgan Hill Day" at its regularly scheduled meeting. Everyone is invited to join us at City Council Chambers (17555 Peak Avenue) at 7pm as we receive the proclamation from the council.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Centennial Recreation Center

The City of Morgan Hill’s Centennial Recreation Center operated in partnership with the Mt. Madonna YMCA! The Centennial Recreation Center offers a wide variety of fitness, recreational, and social activities for individuals and families.

The 52,000 sq. ft. facility offers the following:

* Fitness center with FitLinxx
* Strength and cardio equipment
* Group exercise studio that includes aerobics, yoga, pilates, and group cycling
* Gymnasium with youth and adult open gym and leagues
* Kids Zone (babysitting while you work out)
* Indoor pool with slide and water features
* Senior Center and Senior Nutrition Program
* Teen Center
* Locker rooms
* Meeting rooms

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here

Volunteer Faire Participant: Morgan Hill Pony Baseball

Morgan Hill Pony Baseball is a NON-PROFIT organization. Without volunteers we would not be able to provide our players with a program of baseball. We need people to help out during the season mainly for Snack Shack Sales, could also use help for field maintenance, special events, data entry in computer, sign ups, coaching, umpires, many things are available.

Learn more by visiting their website: Click Here