Vietnam Veterans of America to hold annual pig roast
Central Minnesota Chapter 290 of Vietnam Veterans of America will hold its annual pig roast and auction from 4:30-7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 3 at the Sauk Rapids VFW Post 6992, 901 N Benton Drive. Both a silent and live auction will be held with proceeds going toward veteran needs.
Collegeville Colors set Oct. 4
Collegeville Colors will be held from 1-4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 on the grounds of St. John’s Outdoor University. Spend the afternoon hiking in the woods at St. John’s as you enjoy the fall colors, artwork, live music, nature activities and more along the Chapel Trail – rain or shine.
League of Minnesota Cities seeks students essays
The League of Minnesota Cities seeks submissions for its third annual essay contest, “What would you do if you were the mayor of your city for a day?” Students from grades 4-6 are invited to submit their entries. Three prizes of $100 will be awarded and the winning essay will be published in a future edition of Minnesota Cities magazine. The deadline for participation is Friday, Oct. 23. For more information visit thenewsleaders.com and click on Oct. 2 Criers. For additional information and an entry form, visit http://www.lmc.org/page/1/MayorforaDay15.jsp.
The League of Minnesota Cities is a membership organization dedicated to promoting excellence in local government. The League serves its more than 830 member cities through advocacy, education and training, policy development, risk management and other services. To learn more, visit www.lmc.org.
Oct. 4-10, NAMI promotes Mental Illness Awareness Week
National Mental Illness Awareness Week is Oct. 4-10. This week is marked by community education efforts in all 50 states to raise awareness that mental illnesses are treatable medical conditions, and that there is help and hope for children and adults with mental illnesses and their families. To learn more about anxiety disorders, depression, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, or to find support groups, family educational classes and other resources, contact National Alliance on Mental Illness-Minnesota at 651-645-2948 or 1-888-NAMI-Helps.
Minnesota Math Corps seeking five tutors
St. Cloud Schools have an immediate need for five math tutors, according to Minnesota Math Corps officials, for the duration of the 2015-16 school year. Schools looking for tutors are Kennedy Community School, North Junior High, Oak Hill, South Junior High and Westwood Elementary.
Math Corps Executive Director Sheila Piippo explained they are seeking both full- and part-time tutors to begin a year of paid service almost immediately. Math Corps tutors commit to 11 months of service, during which they earn a biweekly living allowance of $544 (full-time) and an education award of up to $5,730 to help pay for further education. Full-time tutors may also receive health insurance.
Minnesota Math Corps, and its partner literacy initiative Minnesota Reading Corps, are statewide initiatives to help every Minnesota student become proficient in algebra by the end of eighth grade and a successful reader by the end of third grade. By joining Math Corps, individuals will join a network of more than 1,500 Corps members helping more than 35,000 students statewide. There are approximately 1,000 sites with AmeriCorps tutors across the state.
Math tutors are fully trained by Math Corps. Tutor candidates come from a variety of backgrounds, ranging from recent college graduates to retirees. Parents find serving as a tutor is a great way to support their child’s school and mid-career individuals considering a professional change are also excellent candidates, Piippo said. She encourages anyone interested in learning more about Math Corps, or to apply to serve as a tutor, to visit www.MinnesotaMathCorps.org or call 866-859-2825.
St. Cloud Hospital offers nicotine dependence program
CentraCare Heart and Vascular Center at the St. Cloud Hospital will offer its Outpatient Nicotine Dependence Program from 5-6 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. If you are serious about quitting, we are serious about helping. This five-week group program is led by certified tobacco treatment specialists and features personalized treatment, support group, medication therapy, relapse prevention and a self-help plan. The program also is available on an individual basis. For more information, call 320-251-2700, ext. 57448, for more information and registration.
United Way volunteer opportunities
Volunteer for the UCP 5K Run/Walk/Roll
United Cerebral Palsy of Central Minnesota needs volunteers to help make their 5K a success from 7:15-11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 10. Volunteers are needed to assist in the following areas: registration, course monitors, timer assistants and water stations. Contact Carl at carl@ucpcentralmn.org or 320-253-0765.
Catholic Charities Emergency Services look for volunteers
Catholic Charities Emergency Services Food and Clothing Program is looking for volunteers to assist staff and other volunteers in daily program operations and to organize materials, especially boxes and bags, that are used by clients in both food shelf and clothing programs. Responsibilities include assisting staff accepting donations and deliveries to the program and log record of volunteer hours for Catholic Charities. Volunteers must be flexible to take on different tasks. Job requires lifting and reaching, working on your feet. An understanding, non-judgmental attitude toward low-income persons or people in crisis is important, able to lift 20-40 pounds. Must maintain client confidentiality and agree to sign volunteer agreements required by this agency. Contact Chad Kaushagen, volunteer coordinator, at Catholic Charities Emergency Services at 320-229-4568.
Medical alert service seeks service representative
CentraCare Health seeks volunteers to assist with installing medical alert service equipment in subscribers’ homes. Install and test equipment (training provided). Instruct subscribers on how the equipment operates, complete paperwork with subscribers and return to the office. Mileage is reimbursed. Requirement is a two- to three-hour schedule per week with flexibility. Contact CentraCare Health Volunteer Services at volunteer@centracare.com or 320-255-5638.
Teach computer skills to refugees and immigrants
Hands Across the World is a nonprofit organization that provides classroom instruction in ESL and other skills to refugee and immigrant newcomers to St. Cloud. They need tutors to help students learn to use computers for work and fun. Working one-on-one with students, tutors will assist them in setting up email accounts, using Microsoft Word and Excel, using templates to write letters and navigating the internet. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in meeting and working with people from other cultures. Contact Brianda Cediel, Hands Across the World executive director, at 320-260-1072.
Freaky FUN! set Oct. 24
The fourth annual Freaky 5k family friendly fun run for folks of all ages and all abilities will be held Saturday, Oct. 24 at Whitney Park, 1445 Northway Drive, St. Cloud. Volunteers are needed to make this event a success. Volunteers may include individuals, families or groups and are needed from 7-11:30 a.m. Volunteers may choose a two-, three- or four-hour shift. Duties include meet and greet, cheering on participants, helping with refreshments, guiding along the course and having fun. They encourage participation of individuals of all abilities to join the fun. Contact Cindy Owen, Arc Midstate executive director, at 320-251-7272.
For more information, contact Mary Krippner, United Way Volunteer Engagement Coordinator at 320-223-7991 or Mkrippner@unitedwayhelps.org.
