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March 2008

Responding to the Needs in Our Community

Susan G. Komen for the Cure was born in a promise between two sisters, Nancy Brinker, to her sister, Susan G. Komen.  When Susan died from breast cancer at the age of 36, Nancy vowed to end breast cancer and created Susan G. Komen for the Cure.  Since launching the breast cancer movement 25 years ago, Komen has transformed the culture, how the world talks about and treats this devastating disease and has helped to turn millions of breast cancer patients into breast cancer survivors.  "Our vision:  A world without breast cancer!"

Komen for the Cure – Lubbock Area Affiliate was established in 1995 to spread the life-saving message of early detection and to support breast cancer screening and diagnostic programs in West Texas.  Komen Lubbock serves Lubbock and 15 surrounding counties.  The Lubbock Area Affiliate has raised over $2 million and has granted more than $1.2 million to the local community to fund local breast health education, screening and treatment programs.  Up to 75 cents of each dollar raised from the Komen Lubbock Race for the Cure and other fundraising activities remain in the community to fund breast cancer education and screening programs in the 16 county area.  The Lubbock Affiliate sends 25 cents of each dollar raised to support The Komen for the Cure National Award and Research Grant Program.  There is no known cure for breast cancer, but together we will find one!

Volunteer information:  Komen has volunteer opportunities throughout the year.  The main volunteer needs include data entry, mail outs and office help.  The busiest time of year is August through September with Race for the Cure and breast cancer awareness month activities.  If you are interested in any of these volunteer opportunities, please contact the Komen office, 698-1900, for more information.

Other Volunteer Opportunities:

South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center, Inc. is an all-volunteer organization that cares for ill, injured, displaced and orphaned wild animals with the ultimate goal of returning them to their wild habitats.  There are many opportunities for volunteer work, including hands-on wildlife care, building and grounds maintenance, education programs, fundraising and administrative duties.  If you are interested in sharing your time and talent with the Wildlife Center, please contact the Wildlife Center, 799-2142 for further details. 

You are cordially invited to the South Plains Wildlife Rehabilitation Center for an Open House, June 21, 2008, from 11am-2pm.  They are located at 3308 95th Street (95th and Indiana).

Communities in Schools is part of the nation's leading Stay-in-School, Graduation-Enhancement Programs.  The Communities in Schools Program (CIS) helps children remain in school and prepares them for life by providing students with a one-on-one relationship with a caring adult and by connecting community resources to schools and children.  Volunteering with CIS is a simple way to become involved in your community.  Make a difference in the life of a child by eating lunch with a student once a week, tutoring, reading to children or facilitating group activities such as music, crafts or scrapbooking.  If you are interested in working with children and leaving your personal imprint on the future, please contact the RSVP office at 742-2423, and we will place you in contact with Communities in Schools.

American Wind Power Center:  Come Play Under The Windmills.  As the weather warms, so do the visitors at the American Wind Power Center, Lubbock's windmill museum.  The museum is currently seeking individuals who are willing to volunteer three or four hours a day, one or two days a week.  Volunteer activities include greeting visitors, assisting in the office and the gift shop, or possibly leading guided tours of the spacious exhibit hall with over 100 historic windmills on display.  Immediate openings are available on Tuesday and Thursday mornings or Friday and Saturday afternoons, but American Wind Power Center will be happy to work with your schedule!  If you are interested in volunteering at the American Wind Power Center, where the wind makes history, please call 747-8734.

MARK THIS DATE ON YOUR CALENDAR:  April 24, 2008, 9am-2pm.    The RSVP Spring Forum presents:  "Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Senior Services but Were Afraid to Ask!"  More details will be published in the April Golden Gazette, Lubbockseniorsource.com website and the RSVP Newsletter.  Don't miss it!

To volunteer, or for more information about these or other volunteer positions, please call the RSVP office at 742-2423.

HOW do I join RSVP?

Becoming a member of RSVP is simple as long as you are at least 55 and have some time to volunteer. Just call the office at 742-2423 and chat with Karon McDowell about your interests. If you are not certain what you would like to do, we can mention several current volunteer opportunities and send you a list of the sort of jobs which RSVP members are presently doing to whet your appetite. If you have a special skill or talent that you would like to utilize, we will search to find just the right job for you. Just mail in the enrollment form (requires Adobe Reader) and we will call you!