JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
The Joint Base Charleston First 6 is a professional organization which focuses on providing junior enlisted service members a forum for making the most of their military careers. The organization extends the invitation to all service members in pay grades from E-1 through E-6 to join.
First 6 meetings, which include free food, are held the fourth Thursday of each month at 11 a.m. on the second floor of Bldg. 246 in the First Term Airmen Center classroom on Joint Base Charleston-Air Base.
The volunteer opportunities listed below are just a few of many the First 6 supports and are available to all members of Joint Team Charleston. Points of contact are listed for each event, as well as websites to make an informed decision on which to volunteer for.
First 6 Sponsored Events:
Mentors for J.R.O.T.C students at R.B. Stall high school: Every year students get to come on base and see what the Air Force can provide them but they never get a chance to speak with the active duty personnel. Our goal is to give students a tour of the base and show them the facilities the Air Force has to offer. We would like to have a cook out at the base picnic grounds so it will give us more of a chance to interact with the students. If you are interested, contact Airman 1st Class Evelyn Wilhems at evelyn.wilhems@us.af.mil
Triathlon at the KOA Campgrounds: Volunteers are needed to help in many areas that are required for this event. If you are interested in helping out, please go to the following website www.trycharleston.org and click under the volunteer folder and fill out the application. You will be provided a T-shirt and food for your help.
March for Babies: March for Babies (formerly known as WalkAmerica) is a health charity whose mission is to improve the health of babies by preventing birth defects, premature birth, and infant mortality. March for Babies is held in communities across the nation. These events have raised more than $1.7 billion since 1970. If interested, contact Tech Sgt. Natalie Hunter at Natalie.hunter@us.af.mil or Tech. Sgt. April Arter at april.arter@us.af.mil or go to the link below and click on "join the team": http://www.marchforbabies.org/team/t1520961
Volunteer Update
Charleston Miracle League Spring baseball season: Be a buddy for a player and feel their joy when they hit the ball. CML looks for energetic individuals that enjoy people. You don't have to be a baseball expert or even like the game. Volunteers ages 10 and up can help as a buddy, fan, announcer, work concessions and registration. Complete the application available on our website and arrive at least 15 minutes before the game for an orientation. The season runs from through April 30. If you'd like to volunteer contact Connie Dreusicke at 225-7940 or email her at miracleleagueld@yahoo.com. You can also get more information on the Charleston Miracle League at www.charlestonmiracleleague.org.
The Outreach Learning Center at St. Matthew's, Cinderella Project: The project serves to raise self-esteem in teenage girls by providing formal wear for special occasions in their lives. With your help, the Cinderella Project provides a boutique of fabulous dresses, accessories and door prizes available to all. Volunteers will help with set up March 18 and prepare for March 19 shopping. Volunteers on March 19 will help with customer shopping. To volunteer, contact Liane Ziel at 723-1611 or email at lmziel@comcast.org. You can check out more information at www.connectinghands.org as well.
Water Missions International Walk for Water: Walk for water raises funds to support projects that provide clean water to people around the world. Participants carry an empty bucket 1.75 miles, fill it up with dirty water, then walk back 1.75 miles to the start. We then use our Living Water Treatment System to clean the water to demonstrate how the system works. People in developing countries walk an average of 3.5 miles to get dirty water, so join us as we walk to bring clean water to 20 communities around the world. Three hundred volunteers are needed to help with setup, cleanup, children's activities, logistics, registration and much more. The event is March 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. To volunteer, contact Michael Simpson at 769-7395, ext. 209 or email at msimpson@watermissions.org .
Feed Kinship Care: The goal of the Kinship Care Resource and Support Program is to provide a safe, mutually supportive and non-judgmental environment for caregivers of children in the system. Volunteers are needed in two ways: To sponsor or provide and prepare food for caregivers and children attending meetings and to provide childcare for the children who accompany their caregivers to meetings. The opportunity is ongoing on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of every month. To volunteer, contact 843-953-3715 or email at kim@charestonhalos.org. You can find more information at www.charlestonhalos.org.
Pet Peach of Mind: Pet lovers, this is the volunteer opportunity for you. Help hospice patients at the Lutheran Hospice keep their pets until the patient passes away. Volunteers will provide dog walking and pet waste clean-up, pet food and cat litter, transportation to groomers and veterinarian appointments, medications and spay and neutering. Volunteers must be at least 17 years old and the opportunity is ongoing. To volunteer, contact Kathy Barham at 856-4735 or email at KBarham@lutheranhospice.org.
Mentors Needed: St. Andrews Middle School needs mentors to work with students. We ask our mentors to try to come to our school once or twice-a-week to spend about an hour with their student, either a 6th, 7th or 8th grader. Perhaps you will have lunch together, shoot some hoops or just spend time talking in the library. Having someone to care about and to take an interest in one of our young people can do them tremendous good. If you are interested in becoming a mentor contact Jim Brooks at 402-7815 or James_Brooks@charleston.k12.sc.us.
Magdalene House of Charleston: Magdalene House is a non-profit transitional and recovery aftercare facility for homeless, disadvantaged women that are recovering from substance abuse, and recently released from prison or a treatment center. We offer the critical undergirding to these women as they seek jobs and logistical support that ultimately mainstream them into acceptable, social and legal norms. We offer safe, secure transitional housing with daily counseling in spiritual and life skills, self-esteem, jobs skills and maximum independence. Magdalene House of Charleston seeks female drivers to drive residents to various appointments and errands. If interested in volunteering, contact Freda Lewis at 724-9292 or Magdalenehouse1@comcast.net.
Increasing H.O.P.E.: Increasing H.O.P.E. has impacted the lives of many other people in the community through partnerships with local churches, prisons, women's centers, local businesses, other nonprofit organizations and individuals in transitional programs, as well as through holding classes open to the public. There is an ongoing need for volunteers to facilitate classes, support community events and act as volunteer coordinators. The entire organization is 100 percent volunteer driven, so volunteers are always needed. To volunteer, contact Dorothea Bernique at 225-4343 or by e-mail at increasinghope@msn.com.
Trident United Way: The Benefit Bank is an innovative network system for delivering benefits and enhancing anti-poverty efforts. The goal is to create a sustained, multiyear antipoverty campaign which brings together faith-based, community-based and other organizations to serve people forced to live in poverty. Hundreds of volunteers are needed. Scheduling is very flexible at many sites across the area. To volunteer, contact Cathy Easley at 740-9000, ext. 243 or by e-mail at ceasley@tuw.org.
My Sisters House seeking Spanish-speaking interpreters: Family violence reaches across all cultures, ages and socioeconomic levels. Volunteers who can speak Spanish are needed to help victims of domestic violence. The organization's need is an ongoing opportunity. To volunteer, please contact Sarah Baird at 747-4069 or by e-mail at hope@mysistershouse.com.
Fields to Families: The gleaning season has begun full force and volunteers are needed to help - sometimes on very short notice. To help an organization committed to ending hunger, visit the website at www.fieldstofamilies.org and choose "Volunteer" to check out upcoming opportunities. For more information, contact Christina Lor at 388-2487 or by e-mail at christina@fieldstofamilies.org.
Good Neighbor Center: "Breaking the cycle of homelessness" provides transitional housing for homeless veterans. Volunteers will be preparing meals, landscaping or assisting in the office. To volunteer, contact Faye Parker at 566-9344 or visit www.thegoodneighborcenter.com.
Lowcountry Orphan Relief: The Lowcountry Orphan Relief is looking for volunteers to help at their office in North Charleston. The LOR is a non-profit organization which provides support and services to local children and their families. Volunteers would be asked to assist at their facility with sorting, organizing and preparing clothing and school supplies to be given to local children. To volunteer, contact Cathy Keagy at 747-4099 or e-mail her at cathy@clfl670.org. You can also check out the website at www.lowcountryorphanrelief.com.
Susan G. Komen for the Cure: The Lowcountry Susan G. Komen for the Cure division is always in need of volunteers. They need help with administrative work and various events throughout the year. To find out what you can do to help with the fight against breast cancer, contact Taffy Tamblyn at 556-8011 or e-mail her at taffy@komenlowcountry.org. To find out more details on the opportunities, visit their website at www.komenlowcountry.org.
International Center for Birds of Prey: The International Center for Birds of Prey in Charleston is looking for dedicated volunteers to help with the care of a large number of raptors from around the world. Volunteers will be working intimately with these majestic birds on a regular basis. Volunteers must attend a quarterly volunteer orientation. To sign up for the next briefing, contact Joe Kowalis at 971-7474 or e-mail him at hikerjoe@homesc.com. For more information visit the International Center for Birds of Prey website at www.thecenterforbirdsofprey.com.
Big Brothers, Big Sisters: As a local program of the Carolina Youth Development Center, the mission of BBBS is "to help children reach their potential through professionally supported, one-to-one relationships with mentors that have a measurable impact on youth." Volunteers meet with their Little Brother or Sister either in the community or at one of the site-based programs, offering friendships through activities. Training is provided and volunteers must be at least 18. To volunteer, contact Mandy Scherer at 266-5256 or by e-mail at mtscherer@cydc.org. For more information, visit www.becomeabig.org.