Each year about this time, Hometown Alaska hosts a special program to recognize the work that volunteers do in our state and in our city. It’s valuable to take a moment and imagine the power of this movement. Here is how idealist.com summarizes their value:
“Volunteers have an enormous impact on the health and well-being of communities worldwide. Think of all the ways that volunteers make a difference in day-to-day life:
- Volunteers deliver critical services—from serving as volunteer fire fighters or participating in search and rescue, to delivering meals to homebound seniors or homeless youth, to manning the phone lines at domestic violence and sexual assault centers.
- Volunteers help to keep our neighborhoods, streets, parks, rivers, green spaces, and water clean and safe for everyone.
- Volunteers tutor, teach, mentor, coach, and support young people with everything from math homework to dealing with personal crises to football and soccer tourneys.
- Volunteers walk dogs, pet cats, clean cages, help with adoptions and feedings, and contribute veterinary expertise to organizations like animal shelters and wildlife rehabilitation centers.
- Volunteers educate the public on health and safety; doctors and nurses donate time and medical knowledge to free clinics and natural/civil disaster areas worldwide.
- Volunteers take tickets at film centers and performing arts events, lead tours at museums and historical societies, and ensure that arts and cultural festivals—from small-scale gatherings to massive multi-stage concerts—run smoothly.
- Volunteers build houses and schools, dig wells, and repair infrastructure around the globe.
“You get the idea…”
On this program, I’ll be joined in the studio by Julie Millington, the just-retired vice president of the Alaska Center for the Performing Arts, and the leader of the highly regarded Ushering in the Arts volunteer program, a group that has existed since 1984 and has resided at the PAC since the facility opened in 1988. The program has more than 300 volunteers, provides more than $175,000 worth of services each year, and 41 percent of the volunteers have served for 10 years or more. That’s amazing!
Volunteers are often shy and don’t seek attention. But consider this: your stories may inspire others to step forward and contribute. For agencies and nonprofits relying on volunteers, this program is a chance for you to give them a public shout-out on Hometown Alaska. Tell us what they do and why you value their work.
HOST: Kathleen McCoy
GUESTS:
- Julie Millington, Ushering in the Arts volunteer program
- Callers who volunteer and agencies who appreciate their work
LINKS:
- Looking for a place to volunteer? Great Nonprofits (volunteer reviews)
- Ushering in the Arts, volunteer ushers in Anchorage
- Volunteer opportunities with Municipality of Anchorage
- Volunteer opportunities with the Anchorage School District
- List of local volunteer opportunities, Alaska Dispatch News
- 10 reasons to volunteer, volunteerglobal.com
- Top 10 reasons to volunteer, UC San Diego student site
- Why I volunteer, volunteers write at a crisis center
PARTICIPATE:
- Call 550-8433 (Anchorage) or 1-888-353-5752  (statewide) during the live broadcast (2:00 – 3:00pm)
- Send email to hometown@alaskapublic.org before, during or after the live broadcast (e-mails may be read on air) hometown@alaskapublic.org
- Post your comment or question below (comments may be read on air)
- LIVE BROADCAST: Wednesday, November 23, 2016, 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. (Alaska time)
- REPEAT BROADCAST: Wednesday, November 23, 2016, 8:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Alaska time)
- SUBSCRIBE: Get Hometown, Alaska updates automatically — via email, RSS or podcasts.
