Exciting Volunteer Opportunities Available in June

Thursday, 31 May 2012 15:57

 By Alexis Alexander, 
Membership Manager

Opportunities abound this month for GreenStar member-owners who are interested in participating in a community-minded way. Two community celebrations and a GreenStar clean-up day are scheduled this month, and your helps is needed!

GIAC and Juneteenth Celebrations

This past year, GreenStar's been working closely with diversity leaders in the community, forging stronger relationships with GIAC, Southside Community Center and the Multicultural Resource Center in order to better reflect our values within and outside the Co-op.

While we often provide donations to and table at multicultural events in the community, this year we're extending our involvement to include a contingent of GreenStar member-owner volunteers to help out at two important celebrations in our community. As a thank you to the member-owners who volunteer, we'll extend a one-week 17.5 percent superworker discount for each two-hour shift worked.

GIAC Festival: 40 years of Building Community through Celebration of Cultures, Saturday June, 9 on the 300 block of W. Court Street, noon – 6 pm. The Greater Ithaca Activities Center (GIAC) is commemorating its 40th year of providing multicultural, educational and recreational programs that focus on social and individual development with a street festival filled with music, food, activities and community organizations.

Juneteenth Celebration: Saturday, June 23 at the Southside Community Center, 305 S. Plain Street, 11 am – 6 pm. Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration of the legal emancipation of enslaved Black people in the United States. It's a celebratory remembrance of the rich history of African-Americans in this country and achievements made in the continued struggle against oppression. This year's celebration will include music performances, a street fair, food and crafts vendors, and more.

Volunteer opportunities for both events include set-up starting as early as 7:30 am, festival staffing (sno-cone machines, bounce house, face painting, print blocks, mask making) from 11 am to 6 pm, and break-down and clean-up until 8 pm. There may also be opportunity for member-owners who have a particular interest or skill, such as a craft or composting, to lead an activity for festival-goers.

If you're interested in volunteering for one or both events, we will have a sign-up sheet at the Member Centers in both stores where you can indicate the times you're available and the volunteer activities of interest to you. Please note that the number of volunteer slots are limited. Since we are just one of many organizations recruiting volunteers, you'll receive a call back to confirm the availability of the times and activities you requested. Alternatively, you can call the Membership Department at 607.273.9392 to sign up for a shift.

Member-Owner Clean-up Event — Great for Parents and Kids!

Saturday, June 23 will be a full day indeed. In addition to Juneteenth, we will also host our Third Annual West-End Clean-up Project from 
10 am to noon. We'll meet in the outside eating area of the West-End store and then go across the street where we will collect litter and recyclables, and pull weeds from areas around the warehouse and The Space @ GreenStar. Of course, we'll bring plenty of bread to feed some of the ducks along the way! In appreciation of everyone's efforts, we'll treat volunteers to a wonderful GreenStar Deli lunch at noon. RSVP is requested so we can plan appropriately for the event. Sign up at the Member Center in either store, or call the Membership Department at 607.273.9392.