Volunteer Opportunities	Print Issue
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Dear Penn Community,

Thank you for your spirit of volunteerism. Your continued support of the many volunteer opportunities offered at the University is unprecedented. Many benefit from your willingness to share. We receive many expressions of gratitude from community members and agencies we have partnered with. 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,
Office of Government and Community Affairs

Penn VIPS Annual Change Drive to Benefit Alex’s Lemonade Stand: April 1–April 30

Alex’s Lemonade Stand is a national organization with Greater Philadelphia roots. The organization grew out of the front yard lemonade stand started by Alexandra “Alex” Scott, who was a pediatric cancer patient. In 2000, at the age of four, Alex opened her first annual lemonade stand with high hopes of raising money for pediatric cancer causes. Every year thereafter, Alex held an annual lemonade stand in her Pennsylvania front yard and inspired others to donate money to her cause, even after her death at the age of 8 in 2004. This year, Penn Volunteers in Public Service is working with ISC and MAGPI to collect funds to raise money for this outstanding local foundation through the Penn VIPS coin drive.

Donate your loose change or even take a cup home and finally get rid of those pennies on your dresser. Donations will be given to the Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. Please note the convenient locations listed below where you can collect a cup and/or make a donation:

Contact Isabel Mapp at sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu for additional information.

Penn Relays is around the corner. Hopefully, you can spare some time out of your busy schedules to help. Below are the hours of registration in the Levy Tennis Pavilion (Levy is located in back of the Palestra on the other side of the railroad tracks. You have to go over the walking bridge at the back of the Stadium). Please let us know about your availability by April 15. Detailed directions will be sent to the people that plan to volunteer at a later date.

Wednesday, April 24: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Thursday, April 25: 7 a.m. to 5 pm. (may go longer)

Friday, April 26: 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. (may go longer)

Saturday, April 27: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

After registration is over or slows down and you still want to help out, you can be sent to the track to be assigned to other areas. When you respond with your hours let me know your areas of interest. Please respond before April 15. Contact Isabel Mapp at sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu for additional information.

Join the Penn VIPS/Business Services Scholarship Committee: Volunteers Needed. Each year, a small group of volunteers provide non-tuition scholarships to offset college cost to graduating, college bound high school students with a history of service. The committee solicits and reviews applications, selects the award winners and plans the reception where the winners are recognized. The committee meets now until June approximately every three weeks. Meetings culminate with the annual awards reception usually held the first Tuesday in June. To join this exciting committee, email Isabel Mapp at sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu

To Friends of Philadelphia and The Ray of Hope Project: Will you come out and work with Ray for the Mayor's 6th Annual Spring Clean-Up, on Saturday, April 13 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. 1500 Volunteers—Imagine the impact we can have in one morning! See www.therayofhopeproject.org/mlkday.html Please email ROHProject@comcast.net to say you are coming. If you have a preference, let us know where you would prefer to work. It will be a fine morning and an even better afternoon when the work is done.

May Preview—Sayre High School Partnership Festival: 5800 Walnut Street, Volunteers Needed (between noon and 6 p.m.). As a continuation of its 20th anniversary celebration, on the afternoon of Thursday, May 2, the Netter Center will host a Partnership Festival at Sayre High School. This celebration of University-Assisted Community School partnerships will engage West Philadelphia children, youth, and families, as well as Penn students, staff and faculty. Activities to include relays and sports, healthy food demonstrations, educational games, youth performances such as drumline and dance teams, and more. Email Rita Hodges at the Netter Center at ritaa@upenn.edu or call (215) 898-5351.

Volunteer Now for the Broad Street Run: On May 5, Philadelphia Parks & Recreation will be hosting the Annual Blue Cross Broad Street Run. The success of the event depends on the volunteers from the Philadelphia area. As the race grows, so does our need for volunteers. Mark your calendars. We are looking for volunteer groups from local organizations on Friday, May 3 and Saturday, May 4 for the Race Expo at Lincoln Financial Field and also on Race Day, Sunday, May 5 along the race course. If you have any questions or would like more specific information you may contact Dennis Gibson at (215) 685-9887 or dennis.gibson@phila.gov Please feel free to pass this information on to any organizations you think might be interested.