Volunteer opportunities numerous in city
Sheila McFerran is asking Madison residents to "resolve to get involved" in 2007.
McFerran, executive director of The Volunteer Center of Madison County, said numerous volunteer opportunities are available for youth and adults to serve within the city of Madison and more opportunities are on the horizon.
The Volunteer Center currently supports a number of Madison events, including Relay For Life of Madison, Madison Street Festival and the annual Trail of Tears motorcycle ride. The Volunteer Center also provides continuous support to Madison City Schools, Madison Greenways and Trails programs and assisted living residents.
"By volunteering you develop a certain sense of pride in your community," McFerran said. "I think the greatest gift is giving time to change your community."
Youth represent a large portion of Madison's volunteers and Bob Jones High School students currently serve on The Volunteer Center's youth council, but McFerran said she encourages all Madison youth to find a way to volunteer in their community.
"We try to get our youth to think outside of the box," McFerran explained. "It can be as simple as picking up trash in their neighborhood or helping beautify a city park. We encourage youth to get involved with Madison's civic groups, like the master gardeners or historical society, to help and give them ideas to make Madison city a better place to live for all its residents."
Youth who volunteer through The Volunteer Center can work to become eligible for national service awards and list their experience on college applications.
"We're preparing our youth for their future through civic involvement," McFerran said.
"We encourage 10 hours a month for youth volunteers, but even one hour can make such a huge impact in their community."
According to McFerran. Madison's largest volunteerism need currently is the development of a peer-mentoring program for elementary students.
"All we need is people who want to volunteer to make it happen," McFerran said.
To learn more about specific volunteer opportunities in the city of Madison through The Volunteer Center of Madison County, visit www.1-800-volunteer.org, www.volunteerhsv.org, or call 539-7797.
