Food Banks Archives - Nevada Volunteers

MLK Day 2011: A Day On, Not A Day Off

“Service above self will be the cornerstone of my administration as Governor,” Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval proclaimed. He joined approximately 70 AmeriCorps members bright and early in Las Vegas, Nevada on Martin Luther King Jr. Day morning to celebrate the Day of Service.

Partnering with Habitat for Humanity Las Vegas, Nevada Volunteers’ AmeriCorps members gathered together to build three special homes in honor of the 25^th anniversary of the holiday recognizing one of America’s great heroes, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. More than 40 years after his death, Dr. King’s example continues to guide Nevadans in addressing the state’s most critical issues.

The event in southern Nevada brought together AmeriCorps State members from Great Basin Institute’s Nevada Conservation Corps, Luz Community Development Coalition, and the United Way of Southern Nevada, along with AmeriCorps VISTA members serving southern Nevada nonprofit agencies. The Governor jumped in to lend a hand with the AmeriCorps members, at one point even aiding them on the roof by nailing on shingles. (more…)

Roadpost #4: Results

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0LRsQY76avc]

I had meant to get there on Wednesday. I didn’t make it till Saturday. I missed all the action of volunteers stacking cans, building incredible CANstructions—a snake, a train, and the Empire State Building. I was sick in bed, and by the time I got there three days late, all I could photograph were the results. As incredible as they were, the results weren’t the story I was after.

I really wanted to see young people at work, volunteering to help the Food Bank of Northern Nevada by collecting cans of tuna, or corn, or beans, and then building something fantastic. I wanted to write about their excitement and energy. It didn’t work out. That happens. Still, I did find something to talk about—results.

Results are important, but results are my Achilles’ heel. I can get too focused on the goal, succeeding or failing, and lose touch with the value behind what I am doing. When it comes to volunteering, losing touch is a big sacrifice. I forsake the joy of giving and get all tense. (more…)