Hello!

If anyone ever has someone ask about volunteering at CEO, there are a number of projects and initiatives that need volunteers throughout the year. Elaine Gerwin, who oversees CEO’s volunteers, has provided a list of the most popular volunteer activities for reference:

• In June Collection Boxes for the Community Backpack Program are sent to our Community Partners who express an interest in having a collection box for school supplies placed at their location.

• In August the Community Backpack Program requires help to sort, pack, and label the backpacks for distribution the last week of August at the ICC in Troy.

• In October Community Partner agencies are asked to collect new reusable bags to be used for our Thanksgiving Baskets. 200-250 bags are used annually.

• In November we give away Thanksgiving baskets to our families. Volunteers are needed to pack the fresh vegetables, and fill the bags (baskets) for distribution. Typically; this is done the Monday before Thanksgiving.

• During November Community Partners who express an interest in participating in collecting toys for the December Community Holiday Toy Store have a collection box dropped off at their location.

• In December we run a Holiday Community Toy Store along with our Community Partner Unity House. This store allows families choose two toys plus a stocking stuffer for each member of their family. Donated toys need to be sorted by age and placed in the respective rooms. Then volunteers act as personal shoppers assisting each customer in choosing the right toys.

• In February and other times during the year, I run a toiletry drive for our food pantry whose grant only allows the purchase of food products. Our food pantry does not have an income guideline which allows us to help the families who live pay check to pay check. As you may know working can actually prevent some of our families from being eligible for social service help; leaving them struggling to feed their children. Many of the things most of us take for granted like shampoo, soap, toothpaste, and deodorant are luxuries that some families cannot afford to buy along with diapers and baby wipes.  We ask our community partners to do a collection at their church, employment location, or civic group for the above mentioned products.