It was my honor to serve with Neil Bush for years on the Board of the Points of Light Foundation, and a privilege to meet President Bush many times in the course of his support for volunteerism. At this moment in our nation, it is critical to remember that people with different political beliefs can, […] Read More
We have a day for thanks, two for getting deals and then comes #GivingTuesday, a global day dedicated to giving back. Today we join non-profits, families, businesses, community centers, and students from around the world for a common purpose: to celebrate generosity and to give. We know our community is made up of whole-hearted individuals […] Read More
Our office will be closed until Monday Nov 26th as we take time with our families. For many in our community this weekend represents a time to come together in gratitude for all that we have. As we head into the heart of the holiday season, it is a wonderful time to reflect on what […] Read More
It’s Mid-November already! For the marketing world this means the holiday season is in full swing. Tinsel, glitter, and an endless supply of holiday bobbles have arrived at store shelves and Carols are playing over loud speakers all across America. For those who want to look beyond the commercial aspect and find deeper meaning, it […] Read More
We are so pleased to share that we are expecting hundreds of families today at projects throughout Santa Cruz County for Family Volunteer Day. If you wanted to join us but didn’t get a chance to register, you still can. A number of our projects are able to take folks on a drop-in basis. Here […] Read More
This Saturday, November 17th is Family Volunteer Day. I can’t think of a better way to communicate my value for giving and kindness than to simply spend a few hours “doing” with my family. Volunteering in my household is a favorite family past time. My children love the opportunity to be of use to someone […] Read More
It’s Halloween! For the staff and program participants of our mental health wellness program Community Connection, this is a day rooted in joy that celebrates deeply held connections and the history of the program. For more than 30 years staff have hosted an annual Halloween celebration as part of their long legacy of bringing people […] Read More
Thank you to everyone who joined us on Wednesday at the 2018 Be the Difference Awards. We were incredibly inspired by the response and the desire to come together for what works in our community. Your love for Santa Cruz County was palpable. This event was successful because of each and every one of the […] Read More
We are thrilled to partner with our sponsors to celebrate the 2018 Be the Difference Awards honoring the individuals, groups, and businesses that transform Santa Cruz County through volunteerism. The event will take place tomorrow October 24th at the Cocoanut Grove from 11:30 AM-1:30 PM. Doors will open just after 11 AM. In attendance will […] Read More
JOIN US AT THE 2018 BE THE DIFFERENCE AWARDS LUNCH GALA If you haven’t had the chance to buy your tickets yet, we encourage you to do so right away. Tickets are going fast and the deadline to purchase is this Friday, October 12th. Join the Volunteer Center and our sponsors at the 12th Annual […] Read More
For many individuals walking through the neighborhood, taking out the garbage, or driving to the grocery store are simple and unremarkable tasks. But, for some in the community, these activities are overwhelming due to the rigors of aging, declining health, and limited mobility. Due to the fear of falling many local seniors find themselves struggling […] Read More
Nominations have begun to roll in for the 2018 Be the Difference Awards and we are awaiting yours. If you are reading this then we know, you get it – our community thrives because volunteers are willing to share their time, talent, and dedication to make Santa Cruz County a better place to live. Every […] Read More
Last week we closed out Mental Health Awareness Month in partnership with our program Community Connection. Over the month we emphasized sharing our stories, breaking stigma, and celebrating what works. So often the media narrative about mental health is focused on what is broken. We are here to tell a different story– about potential. Every […] Read More
We all experience pivotal moments in our youth that shape who we are today. Moments where we were pushed to overcome our fears and doubts and accomplish things we never thought we could. At the Volunteer Center, we believe every young person deserves opportunities to explore their potential and discover what makes them exceptional! This […] Read More
A Hero is strong and brave. He or she may come from any background or family – a princess, an orphan or a farmer. Their journey is a hard road with challenges, obstacles and attacks that are far beyond what most of us face. Despite the fears, sorrow and loss they feel, a Hero keeps […] Read More
We are so excited to celebrate with you this Saturday May 12th at the 38th Annual Human Race Walkathon and Fun Run. Our team and sponsors have lined up an incredible day of fun for all participants and we hope to see you there! Race Day includes pre-race yoga and breakfast, a 5-mile course, live […] Read More
out·stand·ing ˌ(outˈstandiNG) – Exceptionally good. Synonyms – excellent, marvelous, magnificent, superb, fine, wonderful, superlative, exceptional, first-class, first-rate; great, terrific, tremendous, super, amazing, fantastic, sensational, fabulous, ace, neat, awesome, bang-up, out of this world, smashing, brilliant “Our team of volunteers, staff, Board Members, Business and Community Partners are outstanding!” –I have said that exact sentence a […] Read More
This is AmeriCorps Week and programs across the country are celebrating the members that get things done for America! We are proud of the 11 AmeriCorps VIP Fellows that are now serving in our community! This year they will each volunteer for 1700 hours to support organizations in Santa Cruz County. They build the capacity […] Read More
This week I made my latest donation to Moms Demand Action and yesterday, I once again put on my shirt that states, “Be nice to each other, it’s really all that matters.” This quote comes Sandy Hook Elementary School Principal Dawn Lafferty Hochsprung. Dawn was among the 20 children and six adults gunned down inside […] Read More
What does it feel like to be part of the largest single day of direct action for community change in US History? Media coverage of the Women’s March focused on the power of acting together, the hope for change, the resolve to make a difference in the political life of our country. As you can […] Read More
