Volunteer Expeditions Diary: Chicago Hunger Walk 2012

Last Saturday, June 23rd, we here at Volunteer Expeditions were thrilled to participate in the 27th Annual Chicago Hunger Walk. Thousands of people (10,000 were registered, but many thousands more took part) walked and donated to end hunger in our home city of Chicago. The money raised went to the Chicago Food Depository and over 650 food banks in the city. Our team consisted of Patti (our founder and president), Allison (your blogger and Director of Communications), Herb, and Dianne. Thanks to a voice recorder, a watch, and a pedometer, we can give you the play-by-play of our 5k.

• 8:00 AM: Arrived at the Walk. Managed to get free parking, but were quite far from the registration. Herb asked if the distance counted towards our 3.2 miles. Probably not.
• 8:29 AM: Waited near the big banner that read Start. Had received water, snacks, t-shirt, and info from registration. Took pictures. Heard announcements about the sponsors.
• 8:30 AM: The Hunger Walk officially begins!
• 8:40 AM: Walked through first start gate.
• 8:43 AM: Walked through second start gate. Inspirational man on platform with microphone read off names of groups who were walking. "Christ Church! THEY walkin'! Church Sisterhood! THEY walkin'!" Felt very proud to be walkin'.
• 8:44 AM: Walked past stormtrooper and Sith Lord who were apparently there for no other reason than to be photo opportunities. Possibly to encourage walkers.
• 8:53 AM: Path entered lot under McCormick Place. Was dark until we remembered to remove our sunglasses.

• 9:01 AM: Neared end of being under McCormick Place. At 0.75 miles, 1,712 steps.
• 9:07 AM: Walked past the McCormick Bird Sanctuary. Was news to all of us that Chicago had a McCormick Bird Sanctuary.
• 9:18 AM: Reached the turn-around point, which was where path curved to head back, but closer to Lake Michigan. Provided much better photos. Were told that last year, people had to turn around and take same path back so that path was filled with walkers heading in both directions. Were glad it was all one-way this year. 3,588 steps.
• 9:30 AM: Reached the 2-mile marker. Took pictures. 4,893 steps.
• 9:35 AM: Decided to think about rest of race as much longer than actual length so that finish line would arrive much more quickly than expected. Began wailing "We still have SEVEN miles left??" with Herb.
• 9:41 AM: Broke down and had granola bar. 6,046 steps.

• 9:45 AM: While Herb explained the story of the book Unbroken, young woman overheard and asked Herb if he is a history teacher. Flattered, he replied no, he just read the book.
• 9:50 AM: Reached 3-mile marker. Took photos and could smell finish line. 6,965 steps.
• 9:55 AM: FINISHED! The final totals:
• Steps walked: 7,329
• Miles covered: 3.238
• Kilometers covered: 5.212
• Calories burned: 203.5
• 10:52 AM: Capped it all off with some delicious frozen yogurt in air conditioning.

Want to see more photos of our Hunger Walk experience? Check them out on our Facebook page!

7 Easy Ways to Volunteer From Home

Everyone likes the idea of volunteering. It helps other people, or animals, or the planet. You feel good about yourself at the end of the day.

Photo credit: Tachyondecay on Flickr

But let's face it: often, we just don't have time. There are many lengthy steps to making volunteering a reality. It's a wonderful, beautiful thing when it happens, and many people can do it. But we understand that there are also many people who can't.

So today's blog post is all about helping people from the comfort of your own home. Luckily, with technology where it is right now, this is easier than ever to do. Here are simple ways that you can help nonprofits all over the world from your comfy couch.

1. Like and follow. When you're a fan of a nonprofit's page on Facebook, you sometimes see that page's updates in your Newsfeed. And your friends see your new like. This simple one-click support style engages you and spreads the word faster than you know. (And the same goes for Twitter, LinkedIn, Pinterest, Google+... all social media!) Take your appreciation a step further by liking and commenting on their status updates. Not only do your friends see your support, but Facebook's logarithms give that update a boost to show up on more fans' Newsfeeds!
2. Use GoodSearch. This nifty search engine (powered by Yahoo) donates one cent to the nonprofit of your choice every time you use it to search the web. This may not seem like much, but thanks to our GoodSearchers, Volunteer Expeditions has raised over $20 in just a few months!
3. Research local volunteer opportunities. By using sites like VolunteerMatch and Create The Good, finding new places to volunteer is easy. Use this research to inspire yourself to go out and volunteer when you have the energy (or to tell your friends about it for their volunteering)!
4. Write a review. If you had a good experience volunteering for or working with a nonprofit, tell the world! This truly helps the nonprofit. You give them future volunteers through your visible word-of-mouth. Use a site like GreatNonprofits, or send them a direct email with your review and your permission for them to use it anywhere they need.
5. Shop smart. Before you make a purchase at Amazon.com or almost any other major online retailer, first go through Give Back America or GoodShop. Just by using these sites first, a percentage of your purchase price is donated to the cause of your choice. (Yes, the links we provide above will support Volunteer Expeditions - if you'd rather support a different charity, you can change it with no problem.)
6. Volunteer online. If you have skills that involve a computer, it's a sure bet that a nonprofit could use your help. Set up an account on Sparked and microvolunteer to help nonprofits in graphic design, writing press releases, researching, blogging, and more.
7. And finally, donate. It doesn't have to be a big contribution for it to help change the world.

Do you have any other ideas for how to volunteer from home? Tell us below in the comment section!

Patti's Top Five Favorite Nonprofits

Let's face it, there are a lot of nonprofits out there. Lots of people are doing some amazing good work, but it's hard to know where you should donate your hard-earned money and volunteer your precious free time.

If you're looking for some guidance, we're happy to provide. Patti, our founder and president, is active in many organizations other than us. Check out some of her favorites:

• The Greater Chicago Food Depository (and its subsidiaries): This nonprofit provides food and training to end hunger in Chicago. Patti says it's one of her favorites "because of their amazing focus on feeding the homeless and finding ways to address the needs of vulnerable people in our society."
• The Lower 9th Ward Center for Sustainable Engagement and Development: This nonprofit is one that Patti works closely with in New Orleans to restore the Lower 9th neighborhood. "They are an inspiration and offer hope to the families trying to rebuild their lives and homes in New Orleans. They are an example of commitment to the many volunteers who work under their guidance."
• United States Holocaust Memorial Museum & The Illinois Holocaust Museum & Education Center: These two museums are haunting reminders of the atrocity committed against the Jewish people and truly stay with their visitors. She supports them "for keeping alive the specter of the nightmare that could happen when people disregard the human rights of others."
• Planned Parenthood: This diverse organization offers so much health care for women who need help. "The services they give to poor women who have no other place to go are invaluable. They have provide care women's health care that is available in no other place. They are steadfast in their mission to provide health."
• Big 10 Universities (Michigan and Illinois): These two schools "provided such wonderful educational opportunities and gave me the ability to move forward."

And, of course, she is fiercely devoted to us here at Volunteer Expeditions. But you can find out about us right here!

What are your favorite nonprofits? Leave us a comment below!

Have You Heard the Big News?

Something new and exciting is happening at Volunteer Expeditions.

Are you ready?

We've always loved New Orleans and have been bringing people to rebuild for five years. Last summer, we became passionate about Jamaica and now offer trips to tutor children in orphanages on the island.

But we have a lot more love to give. Which is why we're sharing the love and offering TWO NEW VOLUNTEER TOURS! Both of these trips focus on helping the homeless - and we want to bring you along.

Photo credit: Funky Tee

The first new volunteer vacation destination is Washington, DC. We're proud to partner with Amizade on this new trip; we're taking the best of their program and mixing in our Volunteer Expeditions touch (which includes more sightseeing and hotel arrangements). This trip involves making and serving food to the homeless, distributing meals, and learning about their "invisible" culture.

Photo credit: Allison Bernstein

The second new voluntour experience is our beloved hometown of Chicago. We've partnered with the JCC to offer a meaningful experience in our amazing city. The past few weeks have been a flurry of emails and scheduling! It's going to be an incredible experience. There are some organizations that just inspire you to hear about them, let alone when you work with them! Volunteers will serve and distribute food, help schools, tutor homeless children, learn, and discover. And, of course, we promise a view of Chicago from the top of the John Hancock, history and beauty at the Art Institute (Sunday in the Park! Van Gogh's Bedroom in Arles!), and some delicious deep dish pizza. More details are being finalized, and we can't wait to put it all together!

As these trips form more fully, we'll post the information on our website and all over the social media realm. Stay tuned, do good, and get in touch with us! We'd love to bring you on an unforgettable volunteer tour experience.

Young at Heart: Volunteering After Retirement

We just read a very interesting article.

Using Elderly Volunteers To Create A Whole New Workforce by Jack Rosenthal explains the largely untapped potential of retired people to contribute to the market, specifically for nonprofits. Many people face boredom in retirement and want to share their experience and wisdom with younger generations. But, faced with ageism and long hours, it is often difficult to find a place to do so.

Enter ReServe, a nonprofit that matches interested elderly people with organizations in need of knowledgeable part-time help. They create a mutually beneficial relationship where organizations receive good information and aide from an experienced worker, and the worker receives a small stipend and is able to stay busy while contributing to society.

In our experience, the information provided in the article is absolutely true. Only a small percentage of retired workers are disabled or ill, and many still want to contribute. In fact, that's exactly how Volunteer Expeditions was born. Patti had retired, but she wasn't done helping people. And for the last five years, she's sent group after group to New Orleans on volunteer vacations and shared her passion with so many others. By the end of 2012, Patti will be 70 - and she will have sent over 1200 volunteers on meaningful trips!

She isn't alone in this, either. Many of her trips are for religious congregations, which have a wide age range. Her very first group had volunteers as young as 17 and as old as 75! She also has several friends who have started nonprofits of their own as well once they retired, and many others volunteer regularly.

Patti and her diverse groups and friends make it clear that just because someone is past retirement age doesn't mean they are unable to help. With their experience and wisdom, many elderly people have quite a lot to contribute.

Do you work, even though you've retired? In a nonprofit or anywhere else? Tell us about it in the comment section below!

What is Mardi Gras?

It's okay, you can admit it. You've always heard of Mardi Gras. You know it happens in New Orleans. You know it involves a lot of beads, some crazy costumes, and a parade. You may even know that you see colorful cakes at the bakery called king cakes.

But you may not know what is.

You certainly aren't alone! In celebration of Mardi Gras today, we'd like to give you the run-down of what it actually all means. And we'll give you some beads for reading, too!

The story behind Mardi Gras
Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday," which is what today celebrates. Tomorrow is Ash Wednesday, which marks the start of fasting for Lent in Christianity. And what do you want to do before you fast? You pig out! On Fat Tuesday, it's tradition to eat the rich, fatty foods that many deny themselves over the Lenton period. Mardi Gras refers to the tradition of celebrating it! Since Ash Wednesday and the period of Lent are considered serious affairs, Mardi Gras takes the chance to turn everything topsy-turvy beforehand. Social norms are shattered, costumes and masks hide identities, and everyone joins the carnival.

The parade
The New Orleans Mardi Gras parades are organized by krewes (groups of people, usually affiliated with a specific organization or cause). These krewes put together floats and toss goodies to the crowd, such as beads, plastic cups, doubloons, and the like. Fun fact: since Mardi Gras is considered a traditional religious holiday, the event is not sponsored by businesses. The only exception was in 2006, after Hurricane Katrina caused such widespread destruction and debt, that the city accepted sponsorship.

The king cake
These tasty cakes are decorated in the traditional Mardi Gras colors of purple, green, and gold. Each oblong, braided cake has a small bean or plastic baby placed somewhere inside it. Whoever has the slice with the baby in it has to buy next year's cake or throw next year's king cake party!

Why New Orleans?
That's a good question. Louisiana was settled by the French, and in the late 17th century, the Le Moyne brothers were sent to defend the territory. They arrived just before the holiday, so they celebrated it near where New Orleans is today (and named the spot in its honor). One of the brothers went on to found the capitol of French Louisiana (Mobile, Alabama today). As the territory grew, so did its festivities. By the time the capitol was moved to New Orleans, Mardi Gras festivities had been widely accepted by all its colonists, whether they were originally French or not!

We hope this answered some questions for you. Mardi Gras can be a very fun festival, even for those who don't observe the traditional holidays it celebrates! And, as promised, your beads:

Photo: Mark Gstohl on Flickr

What do you do to celebrate Mardi Gras?

Good Work in New Orleans, February 2012

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

In honor of this celebration of caring and love, we'd like to update you with some interesting projects that are taking action in our beloved New Orleans. Check out these three opportunities in which an organization, a company, and the government are making the world better:

-UNITY of Greater New Orleans is doing some wonderful work to reduce the number of those without homes in the city. The bad news: New Orleans was placed with the second-highest homeless rate in the country. The good news: UNITY is working to change that - and they're getting attention for it too. For more information, visit UNITY's website or read this article about the homeless rate.

-LaQuinta Inns & Suites is making a great donation in a very fun way! They're donating 850 brand-new mattresses to various organizations in the city that fight homelessness....after they break the Guiness World Record for the largest human mattress domino drop! If you're going to be in New Orleans on February 27th or 28th, get involved! Check out more information about it through HandsOn New Orleans' website, or email Alexa Strong at alstrong@nola.gov for further details. 

-Mayor Mitch Landrieu and the city of New Orleans broke ground on restoring Oliver Bush Park in the Lower 9th Ward. This park was destroyed during Hurricane Katrina, but the $2.1 million renovation will more than restore it to its former glory. The renovation includes a baseball field, a basketball pavilion, four tennis courts, a picnic shelter, a playground, lighting, and landscaping. Giving residents something pretty, functional, and fun is an important step towards restoring the beautiful Lower 9th. For more information, read this article or check out the CSED's blog post about the experience.

We're so thrilled to see powerful action in such a deserving city. What other projects are happening in New Orleans that you want to tell the world about? Leave us a comment with more information!