The Volunteer Connection
Staying in touch with Jewish Social Services Volunteers
Jewish Social Services
November, 2006, Vol. 2, No.
2
Louise Goldstein, CVA
Volunteer Coordinator/Senior Adult Program Coordinator
louisejss@mjcc.net
JSS Volunteer Howard Sweet Receives Honor
Former Jewish Social
Services board member Howard Sweet was honored recently by the Greater Madison
chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals as “Outstanding
Volunteer Fundraiser” of the year.
Howard headed up JSS’ “Foundation for the Future Endowment Fund”
campaign, which surpassed its goal of $1 million. The unrestricted fund creates a source of
support for JSS’ basic social services programs into the future.
“Staying Connected” Pilot Project
JSS is looking at ways to stay connected to individuals who
regularly volunteer with JSS clients.
These volunteers include Friendly Visitors,
As part of a three month pilot project, you will receive an e-mail “prompt” at the end of the month, for three months. You’ll be asked to answer a few questions and provide feedback about your volunteering, and then e-mail your answers back. Volunteers who are not on-line will receive the questions by mail. At the end of three months the program will be evaluated by all involved, and based on that feedback, tweaked or revamped completely. We want to thank all of you in advance for your help with this process.
Changes to the JSS Website
Jewish Social
Services has a new web address, www.jssmadison.org,
along with a fresh look that we think will make navigation easier. Through our
link to PayPal, you can make on-line donations to “Friends of JSS,” our
primary means of annual financial support, or make a tribute gift in honor or
memory of a loved one, for any occasion.
The link to the JSS calendar
takes you to the schedule of Harry J & Belle Goodman, parents of Irwin
A. & Robert D. Goodman Lechayim Lunchtime
Plus, Shabbat programs, summer outings for seniors,
trainings and public events sponsored by JSS.
You can also continue to access the JSS website through www.jewishmadison.org/jss.
Volunteer
Opportunities
The
Jewish Social Services “Driver Connection”
The help that volunteer
drivers provide is tremendous, and absolutely critical to the well-being of
many of our clients. If you’re a
reliable driver with a good driving record and dependable vehicle, a flexible
schedule and a little time in your day or evening, consider joining the “Driver
Connection.” You can drive JSS clients
on either a regular or as-needed basis.
Some of our clients may need an escort into the building. Contact Louise Goldstein at
Kindling
a Light in the Darkness
Helping Seniors Celebrate Hanukkah
Every year Jewish Social
Services volunteers deliver electric menorahs to Jewish seniors living in nursing
homes and assisted living facilities, and return a couple of times during the
holiday to light the “candles” together.
This is a powerful reminder to our seniors that they are still an
important part of the Jewish community.
It’s also a wonderful way for
families and friends to volunteer together, to share the mitzvah of brightening
the darkest days of winter. The
first Hanukkah candle this year is Friday, December 15. If you’d like to light up someone’s day and
help a senior citizen celebrate Hanukkah, please contact Louise Goldstein at
New Incident Report Form
Jewish Social Services has developed a new Incident Report Form. This will help us to document any occurrence such as an accident or medical emergency, and will be provided to volunteers working directly with Jewish Social Services clients. Needless to say, we hope no one ever has to use it.
One last thing: If you did not receive this issue of The Volunteer Connection electronically, but would like to, just e-mail your address to louisejss@mjcc.net.
Thank you for volunteering for Jewish Social Services!