|
Kanawha County Disaster Preparedness
This project is designed to provide awareness, knowledge, and resources to Kanawha County residents about disaster preparedness. Workshops will be held to educate local residents, with free information packets and kits available for distribution. The AmeriCorps members are also searching for ways to integrate this information into existing structures so the project will continue in the future.
Lincoln County Hygiene Pantries
AmeriCorps members are collecting donations to establish two hygiene pantries—one at Duval Elementary and the other West Hamlin Elementary. Both sites have been secured for use. Educational materials will be developed to help participants use the items correctly. Once personal items have been donated, the hygiene pantries will open and students and community members will b able to pick up the items they need.
Help the Animals
Overpopulation in animal shelters is a significant problem in Putnam County. To help educate people about the importance of spaying and neutering their pets, the AmeriCorps members will create information packets and set up booths to distribute materials. In addition, donations for specific items needed at the local shelters will be collected. Finally, volunteers will be recruited to assist with the care of the animals.
Easter Food Drive
Food distribution centers in Clay County are reporting shortages of canned foods. The Easter Food Drive will work with the local schools to collect canned goods for those in need. The items collected will be donated to the Nebo Women’s Circle Food Bank and be distributed to families in need for Easter dinner.
Home Repairs
This tri-county project focuses on recruiting volunteers to repair homes for low income and elderly individuals in Barbour, Preston, and Taylor Counties. The goal is to have 3-4 projects completed by the end of National Volunteer Week. Partnerships will be created with youth groups, boy scouts, schools, 4-H clubs, churches, businesses, and nonprofit organizations to implement the project.
Community Garden
The town of Elkins lacks a community garden. The goal of this project is to bring the community and diverse organizations together in the spirit of learning about growing sustainable food. The AmeriCorps members will organize the development of a community garden and work to ensure the garden is sustained beyond the life of this project.
Green Space
The “Green Space” project will focus on creating a green space within a Morgantown community to promote social and friendly family environments, with the ultimate goal to bring a better awareness of healthy living habits. To create a community garden, partnerships will be developed with More Green Town, WVU Extension Offices, Master Gardeners, Habitat for Humanity, and landscaping students. The AmeriCorps members are working a sustainability plan into the design of the green space.
Blood Drive at the Shack
There is an ongoing need for blood in the community. Rural communities struggle with this issue especially, as there are few opportunities to donate blood. To combat this problem, a community blood drive will be held at the Shack. AmeriCorps members will organize this event, and develop a process to have the event annually.
Pet Pantry in Doddridge County
Economic hardships affecting individuals in Doddridge County often trickle down to the animal population. With financial budgets stretched to their limits, families are forced to choose between their pets and putting food on the table. To address this issue, this project will collect pet food from a variety of drives and distribute the food to families in need.
Volunteer Connection
There are a lot of nonprofit organizations in Randolph County who need volunteers for projects and ongoing operations. There are also people who have the ability to volunteer, but lack the information about what volunteer needs exist in the community. This project will bridge that gap by systematically matching community needs with community volunteers.
Youth Disaster Preparedness
The Youth Disaster Preparedness project will provide elementary school children with education and emergency kits to help them handle a disaster with more confidence. Speakers will share information with the students and emergency personnel will interact with them to provide familiarity. Partnerships have been developed with the elementary schools, fire department, PBS, Dollar General, and Lowes to plan and implement this project.
NASA Project
The overall vision of this project is to help children find a passion for math and science. Using an already developed model and curriculum through NASA, presentations will be conducted at the schools in Boone County. It is anticipated that these interactive and hands-on workshops will motivate students to explore options and opportunities in the natural sciences.
Disaster Planning
The goal of this project is to educate and prepare residents in Monroe and Summers County for local disasters. Information will be compiled, supplies will be gathered, and resources will be distributed across the area. Special partnerships include the elementary schools, home safety council, senior centers, and citizen corps.
Land Reclamation
Coal mining can have an adverse impact on the environment and community. To help see an end to forest fragmentation and help encourage community involvement in reclaiming natural land, this project will recruit volunteers, solicit donations, and plant trees on an abandoned mine site.
Community Awareness Day
This project will focus on promoting public safety, health, and the environment through fun and education. The premise of the Community Awareness Day is that the community—working together as a team—can save lives, reduce property damage, and accelerate economic recovery by taking action before an emergency takes place. There will exhibits, demonstrations, displays, free blood pressure and glucose checks, children’s activities, food and music at the Community Awareness Day which will held on Main Street in Peterstown, West Virginia.
Waste Matters!
This project is guided by the vision to educate students in Monroe County about recycling and encourage them to pass along the information at home. Contact has been made at all 5 schools to recruit students and/or clubs to take the lead and spearhead activities at their respective schools. In conjunction with the Solid Waste Authority, the programs will have activities, contests, and curriculum to use at each venue.
Clay County Humane
This project focuses on collecting resources for the Clay Humane Society by getting donations of needed items such as bedding and food. In addition, they are facilitating the recruitment of volunteers to care for the animals—from taking dogs to the groomers to feeding the animals.
Bike It!
Obesity levels are high throughout West Virginia. The mission of this project is to successfully organize a community fun ride to increase awareness that bicycles are the most economically, environmentally, and health-friendly mode of transportation. On National Get Outdoors Day, members of the community will be able to ride on three planned out routes (easy, medium, and hard), depending on their level of fitness. Water, snacks, and first aid stations will be set up in strategic locations along the routes to ensure rider safety. |
