Volunteering Can Change a Child’s Life, and Yours:
Organizations request help this holiday season

Volunteer for the holidays and change a child’s life – states Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin County (BBBS). This holiday season, the agency will host its annual gift wrap booth at the Gallatin Valley Mall, which will provide the community with an opportunity to volunteer to help. BBBS is just one local organization calling for volunteers this winter.

Before you volunteer with any organization there are several things you ought to keep in mind, according to Network for Good, a support group for non-profits. First, before volunteering, research causes that are important to you, as having a passion for a cause will give you the drive to volunteer. Consider your skills and what you have to give so that you may best help an organization in need. Also, look for opportunities that will help you achieve other goals in your life.
It is also valuable to remember not to over-commit yourself, as this could frustrate your family or exhaust yourself. Network for Good states “Better to start out slowly than to commit yourself to a schedule you can’t or don’t want to fulfill.” You may want to consider volunteering as a family as a way of making time to potentially bring the family closer.

Remember to be open to learning something new. You may even want to consider seeking a volunteer opportunity that will guarantee you the chance to gain exposure to a new situation.
Remember that no matter where you volunteer, it can provide you with a change from your daily routine, which for many, can be an appreciated break. Put yourself into whatever kind of volunteer work you do, as this in itself is a priceless gift.
Several volunteer opportunities are explained in the following paragraphs, but there are many more non-profits in the valley that are in need of help. Research for causes that you are interested in, or consider volunteering for one of the organizations featured in the following:

From Dec. 7 through Dec. 24 a booth will be set up at the center court of the Gallatin Valley Mall, providing the community with a gift wrapping service. Funds raised through this campaign will stay within the county and are used to help match local children with positive role models via Big Brothers Big Sisters of Gallatin County. The station will be open Monday through Saturday, 10:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., and Christmas Eve, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. In addition to bringing gifts to the booth to be wrapped, the community can support the cause by volunteering to work at the gift wrap station.

“We have every type of volunteer, from businesses, to book clubs, [to] families and friends,” said Anna Reardon, special events coordinator for BBBS. Volunteers can sign up for three-hour shifts and will assist with wrapping gifts for community members to help with this busy time of year.

The BBBS gift wrap booth was started by the agency’s founder and has been a tradition since 1985. The booth has changed locations throughout the years, but has found a home in the mall’s center court by JoAnn’s.

“[BBBS loves] having the opportunity to connect with the community and provide a helpful service during the holiday season,” Reardon said. “The gift wrap booth is a great way for the community to get involved…and spread some holiday cheer in support of a great cause.”

Big Brothers Big Sisters is a national prevention program for youth which began in Gallatin County in 1973. It provides support to children through matching enrolled children up with a volunteer adult mentor, thus providing a positive adult role model in each child’s life.

In addition to the gift wrap booth, BBBS will host a Gala later this winter, on Feb. 23 at 7 p.m. BBBS will host the Big Mardi Gras Gala, an auction event that supports the Gallatin County BBBS matches. Both live and silent auctions along with dancing, live bands, dinner and a specialty drink bar will be offered. Participation in this event includes sponsorship, donating to the auction, or attending.

Other ways to engage in this organization, any time of the year, include enrolling a child, volunteering as a committee member, sponsoring an event, or becoming a donor. For more information on volunteer opportunities offered by BBBS, or to volunteer for the gift wrap booth, call Reardon at 587-1216 or visit  www.bbbs-gc.org.

Hope & the Holidays is a local non-profit that can utilize volunteers especially this month. This organization strives to provide Christmas to needy families. Through fundraisers and donations, Hope & the Holidays is able to distribute toys to area families. In October volunteers sold potatoes as a way of raising funds to support the cause. Volunteers are needed this month, however, to organize and prepare the toys for distribution explained Sandy Feeney, a member of the organization. Call Santa’s Hotline at (406) 451-5312 to volunteer.

The Human Resource Development Council (HRDC) is another organization in need of volunteers, expressed Kristin Hamburg, administrative officer for the council. This non-profit community action agency is dedicated to strengthening the community through innovation and leadership.

The Gallatin Valley Food Bank is a partner with HRDC and Hamburg explained that there is a great need for volunteers at this establishment. This includes volunteering to clean the warehouse each morning, signing up for a regular shift (this entails preparing for and distributing food), or becoming an on-call volunteer to fill in when someone cannot make a regular shift. The Community Café is also in need of volunteer help. Anyone interested in helping meet the Food Bank’s mission to “improve food security throughout the Gallatin Valley” should contact GVFB’s volunteer coordinator through the organization’s website: http://www.gallatinvalleyfoodbank.org.

The HRDC is also developing volunteer opportunities for the spring. “We will be recruiting volunteers to work with customers during tax season,” Hamburg said. “We are currently developing that volunteer job description.” Go to http://www.thehrdc.org for more information.

Many other non-profit organizations are in need of volunteers this season, as well as year round. To find other opportunities, research non-profit organizations in your area online, visit Recent News on Bozeman magazine’s homepage often, and connect with us on facebook where volunteer opportunities are shared.

Jessianne Wright is an honors student at MSU and also writes for the MSU Exponent.

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