Volunteer Opportunities	Print Issue
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Dear Penn Community,

During the past holidays, the Penn community showed their generosity by providing much needed support to members of our surrounding community. Many benefited from your willingness to give. We have received many expressions of gratitude from all the persons we helped.

Please contact me via e-mail (sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu) to volunteer for any of the programs.

The University community continues to work towards being good neighbors in our shared community. We thank you for your overwhelming support and for your generosity.

—Isabel Mapp, Associate Director, Netter Center for Community Partnerships

PENN VIPS Annual Penny Drive: Now through February 12

Each year, Penn VIPS hosts an annual change drive to benefit small local nonprofits in the surrounding area. This year, the Dropsite Committee will donate the funds to Haiti. Please take your change to the following drop sites:

Join the Penn VIPS Scholarship Committee: Help plan the Annual Penn VIPS Scholarship Program where we select and honor outstanding students from Bartram, Parkway, Overbrook, University City, Sayre and West Philadelphia High Schools. Committee selects awardees, plans a reception to be held at the Sheraton Hotel and provides winners with up to $1,000 non-tuition scholarships. Planning is underway for the June 2010 program.

You can help save Philadelphia’s Working Families thousands of dollars this tax season: Your efforts can help put more money in the pockets of those who need it most:  This year more than ever we need the help of volunteers. Low-income working families are hit the hardest in these rough economic times. You can help bring $51,000 in tax returns to Philadelphia households by joining our effort to provide free tax preparation services. No experience necessary; we will train you to become a certified IRS tax preparer or to support our professional services as a greeter or benefits screener.

Sign up today to turn your free time into money for Philadelphia families. Training is available. To volunteer with The Campaign for Working Families visit www.phillyfreetaxes.org.