Guest Post #3: Valley Hospital Volunteer Celebrates Silver “Volunteer Anniversary” by Beth Bartel, CVA

Geri at work

Geri Grant

Guest blogger, Beth Bartel, is a Nevada Volunteers Commissioner and a Human Resources Generalist at Valley Hospital in Las Vegas where she combines duties in Human Resources with management of their volunteer program. She is a Certified Volunteer Administrator and Treasurer of the Las Vegas Chapter of the Directors of Volunteers in Agencies (DOVIA). We are so pleased to have her share an amazing story about a lifetime volunteer at Valley Hospital.

When Geraldine (Geri) Grant began volunteering at Valley Hospital in 1986, Ronald Reagan was president of the United States; the Oprah Winfrey Show debuted; and “Top Gun” was the number one movie.

At Valley Hospital, plenty of patients needed surgery. That’s where Geri found her niche – and never left!

“I’ve volunteered in Outpatient Surgery for my entire 25 years,” said Geri, who is 83 years old. Her volunteer “career” started when her youngest daughter wanted to be a candy striper. Valley was also seeking adult volunteers, so Geri signed up as well. Now, on Wednesdays, she can be found in the Outpatient Surgery department helping the nurses with whatever they need – making beds, compiling charts, or chatting with patients and family members.
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Last Chance to Give!

Nevada Volunteers knows you care about continuing Nevada’s service and volunteer efforts. That’s why we are reminding you that this is your final chance to make a tax-deductible donation for 2010. Remember, all gifts to Nevada Volunteers are tax-deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

Thanks to your generous contributions, Nevada Volunteers has raised $1,300 for the Nevada AmeriCorps programs this holiday season and has had the ability to share our AmeriCorps members inspirational stories with you. But we need your help if we want our communities to continually receive the chance to grow and prosper. We hope you’ll join us as we work to continue Nevada AmeriCorps programs, helping Nevadans to enrich their lives through service and our communities to benefit from their incredible efforts.

Please don’t miss this opportunity to give back to our communities through admirable programs. For more information about Nevada’s AmeriCorps programs, visit blue.nevadavolunteers.org. (more…)

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Thank you for the “E” in AMERICORPS!

A huge thank you goes out to the Parasol Tahoe Community Foundation for their generous donation of $100! This gave us the “E” in AMERICORPS! For every $100 in donations, we are able to add one more letter. To date, the “Amass for AmeriCorps” program has raised $1,300 for Nevada’s AmeriCorps programs!

Words cannot express how grateful we are to each of you for your contributions.

Our next fundraising goal is “R.” “R” is for receive – without our Nevada AmeriCorps programs, our Nevada communities would not receive help in core areas such as education, human needs, environment or public safety.

The end of the year is quickly approaching. The last day to give to the “Amass for AmeriCorps” is December 31st at 11:59pm. We know that we can spell AMERICORPS one more time and $10 from 10 friends will get us closer to that goal. Plus your end-of-the-year donation will earn you a tax deduction! (more…)

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HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM NEVADA VOLUNTEERS!

“Amass for AmeriCorps” has struck a chord in our hearts, reminding us that the true spirit of the holidays comes from people who continue to give of themselves to improve communities throughout Nevada.

As the State Commission that promotes volunteerism, Nevada Volunteers sees the variety of avenues to contribute to our communities. This made us wonder, what are you doing this holiday season to give back? How are you giving of your time, talent, or treasure to those in your community?

This holiday season, Nevada Volunteers is grateful for all the volunteers in our great state. Without these everyday heroes, our communities would no longer continue to prosper and grow. And because of these individuals, our communities are able to offer those in need a special holiday.

From all us at Nevada Volunteers, we thank the great volunteers in Nevada and wish you a happy Holiday! We look forward to hearing of your wonderful contributions to our communities! (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps – Field Update 8

One person CAN make a difference…

AmeriCorps Alum Zenaida Solano did it by breaking language barriers!

Zenaida Solano served as Nye County community’s AmeriCorps Hispanic Advocate, taking on large tasks to help the Hispanic community of Pahrump, Nevada receive the aid and services they deserve. She provided over 700 translations and/or interpretations for the Spanish-speaking community. Her primary role was working with the Nye County School District to help parents deal with the school system in areas of truancy, suspension, special education planning, parent-teacher conferences, behavior intervention, and registration. She helped parents get immunizations for their children starting kindergarten, helped secure medical appointments, and helped complete tax forms all through breaking the language barrier and being their translator. Throughout all of her efforts, she served as a resource for her own workplace to ensure cultural sensitivity when collaborating with the Hispanic Community by improving the knowledge and skills of fellow staff members. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps Campaign – Field Update 4

Amass for AmeriCorps! Update from the field, December 2, 2010

“I have developed a stronger sense of pride to continuously see the people of our cities, our communities, and our families led on a positive path to well-being.”

Meet Erick Alcantar, an AmeriCorps member currently serving his second year at HELP of Southern Nevada through the United Way of Southern Nevada AmeriCorps program. Erick is responsible for case managing, housing, and providing wraparound services to homeless families.

His latest success was with a gentleman on his caseload who is a single father, taking care of his two young daughters. The father was in desperate need of eyeglasses. Erick was able to coordinate with the Lion’s Sightfirst Foundation, who was able to provide his client with an eye exam, as well as new set of glasses.

Erick was recently recognized during October at the 2010 Points of Light Volunteer Recognition Luncheon for his time, talent, and effort as a Nevada volunteer. (more…)

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Amass for AmeriCorps! – Field Update 3

Amass for AmeriCorps! Update from the field, November 30, 2010

Full bellies, good grades, and smiles drive Genesis Vazquez, one of the 340 passionate AmeriCorps members who serve at 77 organizations through Nevada Volunteers. As we reflect on last week’s national day of Thanksgiving, we’d like to introduce you to Genesis and her AmeriCorps experience.

Genesis serves with Boys and Girls Club through the Luz Community Development Coalition in Las Vegas. She provides Leadership and Resiliency trainings for youth participants. She recently implemented a new program called “Girls Circle,” targeting teen girls by facilitating an open discussion about various topics that are currently impacting their lives.

Going beyond her AmeriCorps duties, Genesis is also heavily involved in the community. As a volunteer for the Latin Chamber of Commerce, she has been responsible for organizing a week-long conference for the Chamber’s Latino Youth Leadership initiative. In October, Genesis was appointed by Governor Gibbons as Youth Commissioner for Nevada Volunteers. She is also a sociology student at the College of Southern Nevada. (more…)

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