Community Champions: 乐播传媒入口 Employees Making A Difference
Did you know that there are over 20,000 nonprofits in Iowa working every day to improve lives and strengthen communities? The demand for nonprofit leadership continues to grow. However, in 乐播传媒入口 and in other rural communities, most community organizations run with little or no staff and are highly dependent on the dedication of volunteers to accomplish their missions. 鈥淚n a small community like ours, many members wear several hats and serve on multiple boards,鈥 says Monica Chavez-Silva, Vice President of Community Engagement and Strategic Planning, who currently serves as a Commissioner for the Iowa Commission on Volunteer Service. 鈥淲e are very fortunate to have so many dedicated employees who generously give their time and talents to causes they feel passionate about.鈥
Recognizing the value of volunteerism, 乐播传媒入口鈥檚 Volunteer Initiative Program (VIP) supports local organizations by allowing employee volunteers to designate up to $200 per year from 乐播传媒入口 to the nonprofit of their choice. Since 1999, this program has encouraged 乐播传媒入口 employees to commit their time to those projects that they feel most passionate about while empowering them to direct some of the College鈥檚 contributions at the same time.
Duane McClun, a member of 乐播传媒入口 Facilities Management, has served with the for over fifteen years by taking photos for the department and has participated in the Volunteer Initiative Program since 2017. In his time photographing the 乐播传媒入口 Fire Department鈥檚 training, firefighting, and local fundraisers, Duane has witnessed and documented the department鈥檚 dedication and commitment to serving the community. Duane shared his appreciation of the Volunteer Initiative program, saying that 鈥淲ith this great program, I've been able to direct over $1,100 to the 乐播传媒入口 Fire Department. Thank you to the college for establishing this program that benefits organizations in the community.鈥
On campus, Ivy Schuster is a member of 乐播传媒入口鈥檚 Information Technology department. Outside of the office, Ivy is an active volunteer with many community organizations including as a volunteer for the organization, , (dedicated to supporting, helping, and empowering women and girls in Poweshiek County) and serving with the . According to Ivy, 鈥淭he Searsboro Fire Department greatly relies on financial contributions from within the community to keep our trucks running and our gear up to regulation. Being part of a small town means all hands on deck! I鈥檝e been serving on the Searsboro Volunteer Department for over ten years and it has proven to be a great way to get to know the community better and learn new skills. I鈥檝e been able to benefit my department with more than just my time, thanks to the VIP.鈥 With S.H.E. COUNTS, Ivy has energized 3rd and 4th grade girls at Girls Math Club at Davis Elementary, a program that was developed to help boost confidence in math and to encourage girls to participate in math clubs once they reach jr. high and high school.
When she鈥檚 not working in the Special Collections & Archives of Burling Library, Allison Haack volunteers with the , a volunteer-driven organization dedicated to preserving and sharing 乐播传媒入口鈥檚 history. Putting her professional skills to use outside the office, Allison led the planning committee for the Hazlewood Talks and Cemetery Walk this past year and is a member of the planning committee for the Great 乐播传媒入口 Bake Off (3rd Annual coming Summer 2024). Through her effort and the contributions of the Volunteer Initiative Program, Allison loves having the chance to 鈥渨ork with fellow board and community members to share the history of 乐播传媒入口!鈥
In the past few years, other organizations supported through the VIP program include Capri Theater, Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque鈥檚 Women鈥檚 Giving Circle, CoSI, Crossroads Indoor, Drake Community Library, 乐播传媒入口 Area Arts Council, 乐播传媒入口 High School Fine Arts Alliance, Giving Gardens, Global Ties Iowa, 乐播传媒入口 Area Chamber of Commerce, 乐播传媒入口 Children鈥檚 Choir, 乐播传媒入口 Food Coalition, 乐播传媒入口 Regional Medical Center Foundation, 乐播传媒入口 Sure Shots, 乐播传媒入口 United Way, 乐播传媒入口-Newburg Dollars for Scholars, Imagine 乐播传媒入口, Inspirations Childcare and Preschool, Iowa Weimaraner Rescue, Jewel Box Quilters Guild, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Malcom Food Pantry, One Economy Financial Development Corp, PALS, South Tama County Food Pantry, Tiger Football Club, Tiger Packs, and Wieting Theatre.
With every hour of volunteer time valued at $31.80, these contributions make a difference. To learn more, about the program and how you can get involved, visit 乐播传媒入口 Volunteer Initiative Program.