Florida

Hats to Our Health

storres4365 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 21:47:56 +0000

Hats to Our Health

Helpertunity participates as part of Walden University's Global Day of Service, held annually in early October. Helpertunity offers an adaptive alternative to the other Worldwide One-Day event offerings, by providing a self-paced and online / distance-participation option.

In order to create awareness and advocacy for independent and online volunteerism, and to encourage live local participants to use their talents to care for the needs of local homeless persons, Helpertunity hosted training sessions to instruct volunteers how to make handmade hats. Hats were the handmade item most requested by our homeless and mobile outreach participants.

Helpertunity's founder taught live classes to participants at local craft stores, and hosted public tutoring sessions at local cafe's, known for supporting meet-ups in the community.

Following introductory and practice-stitch classes, live students were invited to create hats to share with those in need.

Meanwhile, participants from Helpertunity's Online Classes also took their time and set their own pace to prepare for the Global Day of Service Event.

Online and Community participants, including elderly and disabled persons, made a total of 50 hats, which were presented to the WRCC, a Shelter for Women & Children, and Compassion Corner, a Homeless Services Drop-In Center, both located in Downtown Orlando. Items were delivered and distributed just before the winter Holidays, when cold weather had just begun to reach the Central Florida area.

Helpertunity plans to continue this community-awareness and outreach effort as an annual event, and will continue to prepare for the "One Day" initiative based on a flexible timeline, in order to meet the adaptive needs of those who are unable to participate in a live and strenuous volunteer event, or who are only able to volunteer at a distance.

By request, the patterns for this year include simple to advanced hand-made Lanyard-Pouches; small amulet bags worn around the neck, and used to keep personal items secure, in reach, yet out of sight; for safety.

If you would like to support the efforts of our Community and Online Care-Crafting Volunteers, or you would like to host Helpertunity's Global Day of Service Outreach & Education Table, please contact Helpertunity today. Direct contributions to help with this ongoing project should be made to Helpertunity, with "Global Day of Service" clearly marked in the memo section of your check or online donation.

To participate online in this year's Global Day of Service Event as Part of Helpertunity, Link to http://crochet-it.wikispaces.com for tutorials, patterns, and details.

storres4365 Thu, 02/09/2023 - 16:47

Project Type

Target Population

City

State

Our Holiday Elves

storres4365 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 22:02:25 +0000

Our Holiday Elves

Each year; Helperutnity supports local volunteers in reaching out to nursing homes, care facilities, and transitional shelters around the Christmas holiday, as well as helping the facility residents with reaching back and blessing their community in creative ways.

The project began as a visit to teach crafts at one local facility some years ago; only to discover that the residents and patients wanted to make gifts to give to others rather than keep the gifts for themselves! The class worked together and created nearly three dozen pencil boxes to be given to a local children's choir who had come to visit and sing to them.

The project expanded to supporting other seasonal community-outreach projects at elder facilities; where one group of facility residents painted up holiday ceramics to raise money and buy gifts for kids,

....and another group fluffed teddy bears and other plush pets to give to visiting children:

If you would like to support our Helpertunity Volunteer's unique efforts around the holidays; mark your tax-deductible e-banking or pay-pal donation to Helpertunity with "Amazing Elves of Christmas" in the memo line; and send it to Helpertunity at PO Box 1956, Apopka, FL 32704

storres4365 Thu, 02/09/2023 - 17:02

City

Orlando

State

Florida

For Our Veterans

storres4365 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 23:34:37 +0000

For Our Veterans

When Chanda first met Helpertunity, she enjoyed our games and social events so much, that she decided to volunteer and spread the joy to others in her community. From serving Orlando's Homeless, to visiting the nearby Nursing Home, to starting a program to help Veterans in her neighborhood, Chanda has inspired Helpertunity as much as we first inspired her!

Helpertunity has carried on Chanda's inspiring work for America's Military Heroes by contributing Activity Resources to local elder care facilities in honor of Veteran's Day:

Tax-Deductible Donations made to Helpertunity, on behalf of this project, should be marked clearly in the memo line with "Volunteering for Veterans"

storres4365 Thu, 02/09/2023 - 18:34

Project Type

Elective Education Programs

Target Population

City

State

Handcrafters Gift Fair Events

storres4365 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 23:37:04 +0000

Handcrafters Gift Fair Events

Helpertunity was there when Karen wanted to start reconnecting with old friends online, and the journey led her right to a treasure trove of new ideas on creative social sites like Pinterest. So, despite limited hearing and impaired peripheral-vision, which keeps Karen from driving, she enjoys gathering with friends online to exchange craft patterns and healthy new recipes:

But, Karen's enthusiasm for cooking and crafting soon overflowed and inspired others! Her crochet skills sparked the creation of two annual craft and gift sales for local school kids that ran for four years in a row; providing the chance for Nursing Home Craft Clubs and Community Supporters, from across Florida and around the globe, to submit their unique handiwork to raise funds for Helpertunity too!

Local "Discount Shopping Divas," like Miss Jean, added their bargain-hunting skills to help expand the selection of gift items available at the children's holiday sales:

And other crafters, from the St. Margaret Mary Purls and Prayers Ministry Knit and Crochet Ministry, shared their talents and volunteer support with Helpertunity too.

Today; the former Craft Sale Fundraisers have evolved even further, and Ms. Marga's Hats continue to be a favorite item in Helpertunity's Community Event fundraisers, but she has also made enough that they were hand-delivered to three different charity locations and distributed to infants and toddlers on a cold nite in November 2019 at the Rotary Club's Apopka Fair. Often, Ms. Marga's Handmade Hats can bee seen included among Helpertunity's carnival-booth prizes too!...

A majority of the funds raised during the Handcrafters Community Events are going to support the financing and conversion of the eHelpertuniy Van to becoming wheelchair accessible. As the Charity's first-ever Capital-Campaign Fundraiser; everyone's contributions and support are needed now more than ever before!

The Helpertunity Handcrafters and Games Booth shown in the Park raising funds at the Apopka Fair to Convert the Chairity's Newly Financed Van to become Wheelchair Accessible.

If you would like to contribute handmade craft or gift items to be used as fundraisers and prizes, or if you would like to assist at this Charity's next Event Day Booth, please contact Helpertunity for details by calling Eileen at 407-234-4768 or email Eileen@Helpertunity.org

If you would like to support the Helpertunity Handcrafters Volunteer's Efforts, please be sure that your donations to Helpertunity are marked with "Helpertunity Handcrafters Supplies" or "Helpertunity's Accessible Van" in the memo line.

storres4365 Thu, 02/09/2023 - 18:37

Project Type

Creative Expressive

Elective Education Programs

Target Population

Youth/Teen/YoungAdult

City

Altamonte Springs

State

Florida

Kid & Eco Friendly Creations

storres4365 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 23:45:45 +0000

Kid & Eco Friendly Creations

After 30 years as a school teacher, and a busy day at the theme parks enjoying her "retirement job," Helpertunity's Corporate Secretary, Dorothy Gill, still enjoys a bit of volunteer time. She has a specialty for applying her talents to "creative retail" efforts; by providing fundraising resources and programs that reach out to kids and appreciate the environment.

With decades of kid-friendly experience, she seems to really know what children enjoy! Dorothy is the Captain in the first-phase of Helpertunity's "Bear Care & Repair - Plush Pet Rescue and Adoption Project" - stitching up plush-pet boo-boos and giving the entire stuffed-zoo a sanitizing-suds bath:

Dorothy has propagated plants for Helpertunity's Spring Time Fundraisers and has beaded hundreds of bracelets and glued together dozens more rescued-silk-flower clip-on corsages for various Art and Environmental Festivals.

And, she has also made creatively packaged yarn and crochet kits, that look like carnival treats, for an International Fiber-Arts Fair. Dorothy insists that she is not "crafty," but her imagineer-like creations have already raised funds and provided supplies for many Helpertunity Projects, as well as an Activity Program at a Children's Hospital in Canada.

And that's not all! Dorothy's creative retail contributions have also inspired crafters at a Children's Summer Camp in Pennsylvania; with her collaboratively custom-designed and handmade Camper-Scamper Scrapbook and Cardmaking Kits.

So why doesn't Dorothy just give supplies and cash donations directly to the children's programs? Because as a retired school teacher, Dorothy already knows that there is an un-ending need for supplies and resources wherever children and elders are involved. By generating fundraising revenues, she is often able to double her own donation's value, and do something which she enjoys at the same time.

So, do you have leftover craft or gardening supplies, (which are clean and in allergen-free and odor-free condition) that can be enjoyed by elderly patients or hospitalized children, young campers, or school-aged shoppers? Please contact Helpertunity directly to discuss details for making an in-kind contribution of craft and gardening resources to Dorothy's ongoing project efforts.

Better Yet: If you would like to help Dorothy multiply her creative donation-funding efforts, so that she may continue to "Pay it Forward" with her inspired energy and enthusiasm, then please make a cash contribution via e-banking, check, or credit card to: Helpertunity, PO Box 1956, Apopka, FL 32704 with "Kid & Eco Friendly Creations" in the memo line.

storres4365 Thu, 02/09/2023 - 18:45

Project Type

Target Population

Youth/Teen/YoungAdult

City

Apopka

State

Florida

Plush Pet Therapy & Adoption Days

storres4365 — Thu, 09 Feb 2023 23:48:54 +0000

Plush Pet Therapy & Adoption Days

Helpertunity's Elder and Community Volunteers have been working diligently to wash, sanitize, sew, fluff, dress, and accessorize the most adorable pre-loved plush pets for local community children.

Nearly ANY person, of nearly any age or ability, can take part in a "Bear Care & Repair Clinic" despite their limitations. This project is sponsored, in part, by the donations gained from our "Play It Forward" Ticket-Fundraisers.

When children win the prizes that are prepared with the help of eldercare facility volunteers; it spreads community awareness about the organization AND the efforts of elderly and disabled persons who want to remain a vital part of their local community.

Contact Eileen directly at 407-234-4768 or by e-mail at Eileen@Helpertunity.org to request a ticket-sponsorship kit, including ticket-booklets and collection-envelopes for your civic group, youth group, or corporate team.

Link to our next upcoming Plush-Pet Project & Game Booth Event Day:

-To Be Determined-

The pets are awarded as prizes at Helpertunity Community-Outreach Game Booths at local fairs and events.

If you would like to contribute your pre-loved bears and plush pets for some tender-loving care and adoption by another good home, then please contact Eileen directly at Helpertunity today: 407-2343-4768

Special Thanks to St. Vincent de Paul Stores of Apopka for their ongoing charitable support of this program.

storres4365 Thu, 02/09/2023 - 18:48

State

Florida

Busy Bags & Ditty Kit Packers

storres4365 — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 00:03:07 +0000

Busy Bags & Ditty Kit Packers

With the help of sewing volunteers; elders can now keep busy with independent pursuits... because they can carry the tools they need in their walker & wheelchair "Busy Bags"

As facility clients forego carrying wallets, keys, briefcases, and purses, they often also lose a tendency that people have; to bring along items of interest to use during their daily free time. In facilities, many elders use walkers and wheelchairs to assist with "transportation" but the unique bags that could store their useful belongings, hands-free, are not nearly as easy to find:

Volunteers who enjoy sewing, and gift givers who enjoy collecting recreational items, are working together this year to spread Helpertunity's "Busy Bag" advocacy message:

No elderly client should be left sitting in the nursing-home hallway... without access to something to do to help them pass the time! That is why church groups and sewing guilds across Florida have been gathering to cut and sew Busy Bags by the dozens since 2017!

.... and that includes sewing and embellishing Busy Bags for Alzheimer's Patients, who can enjoy the sensory-stimulation of customized "Fidget Bags / Fidget Aprons / and Fidget Pillow Covers" too!

Busy Bags are also a wonderful bed-rail caddie, and are a great make-one/share-one sewing project for scouts troops, crafty campers, and quilt-retreat attendees.

Cash contributions and donations of the following resources are needed to support this project through Helpertunity:

Sewing Volunteers & Sewing Machines

Scrap Material / Thread / Buttons

Zippers / Velcro / Ribbon / Lace

And Busy-Bag Filling:

New Puzzle Books & Click-Pens

Grown-Up Coloring Books & Markers

Silk Flowers & Stringing Beads / Pearls

Handheld Puzzles & Fidget Games

Our Busy Bags Kit Packing Team Volunteering at the Helpertunity Home-Office in early 2020.

Print the flyer and sewing instructions posted below and get a "Busy Bag & Ditty Kit Packers" volunteer group started in your area:

Helpertunity Printable Busy Bag sewing Instructions

Helpertunity Sewing & Crafting Supply Request Flyer

storres4365 Thu, 02/09/2023 - 19:03

Project Type

Creative Expressive

Education

Elective Education Programs

Target Population

State

Fiesta Foundation

storres4365 — Fri, 10 Feb 2023 00:12:58 +0000

Fiesta Foundation

Gabriel Callejas, husband of Helpertunity's Founder Eileen Callejas, was the first business to step up and support Helpertunity's Mission, but it was not the first time the family restaurant owner had reached out to elderly, disabled, and homeless persons in his community.

Gabriel is an outspoken advocate for the plight of child immigrants, migrant farmers, and disabled workers, and has been known to honor the requests of needy persons; seeking a volunteer tasks in exchange for a hot meal, from time to time.

Gabriel's restaurants have hosted holiday banners made by homeless crafters, and have proudly displayed handmade items, produced by disabled persons and elderly nursing home residents, in their front counter-case.

The small business owner continues to provide a source of ongoing support for the organization by accepting donations and offering candy at local register locations. Such efforts not only provide a small stream of resources for the organization, but it also serve to advocate and educate about Helpertunity's work within the local community.

Over the years; Gabriel's restaurants have provided classic Mexican treats to local shelters and elder care facilities, in celebration of Mexican holidays and fiestas, and have hosted educational sessions for Activity Professionals on the History, Culture, and traditions of Mexico and its People.

La Fiesta Mexican Grill continues to provide catering services for events, and is proud to be an ongoing advocate, with Helpertunity, for Direct-Impact Seed-Philanthropy and Corporate Social Responsibility in the community.

To provide counter space, project sponsorship, or other support for Helpertunity's efforts, through your neighborhood business or corporation, please contact Helpertunity directly at 407-234-4768 / Eileen@Helpertunity.org.

storres4365 Thu, 02/09/2023 - 19:12

Project Type

Target Population

City

State

Bottle Brick Builders Guild

Eileen — Fri, 28 Apr 2023 19:40:52 +0000

Bottle Brick Builders Guild

In 2020 Helpertunity realized that all of its kit-packing projects were producing an excessive amount of plastic bags. So, the charity began looking for fun ways to recycle and upcycle waste plastics. Today, volunteers help hand pack plastic bottles with clean, dry plastic bags and wrappers. After turning these bottles into bricks they are used to make practical and decorative items.

Our friends from AmeriCorps RSVP have been crocheting covered abstract bottle people. They are being made to adorn a planned parade float in the coming year.

The bottle bricks have also been used to build obstacles, mazes and bot-ball arenas for creative cooperative team games with our friends from the Family Cafe Expo Events held in Orlando, Florida.

Eileen Fri, 04/28/2023 - 15:40

Project Type

Elective Education Programs