United Way of Greater Portland can connect you with one-time opportunities and events that help our community, tools for hosting a collection of needed items, as well as ongoing and regularly scheduled opportunities that support long-lasting change and Thrive2027 goals. You can choose what moves you!
Every month we share a Volunteer Engagement Newsletter with opportunities to engage throughout Greater Portland. Here are some of the highlights from September’s Volunteer Newsletter.
HELP WITH ASYLEES
As of August 15, families are no longer staying at the Portland Expo, but support is greatly needed for families and for programs that support them. There are lots of ways you can help! If you would like to support new Mainers as they transition into local communities, please consider opportunities
highlighted with a star icon in September’s Volunteer Newsletter.
UNITED WE CAN FOOD DRIVE + SCULPTURE CONTEST
Join us to kick off United Way of Greater Portland’s Annual Campaign with the United We CAN Food Drive + Sculpture Contest on Friday, September 13, 2019. Teams will construct sculptures from 8:00 – 11:30 a.m. (spectators are welcome). Sculptures will be on display during the Annual Campaign
Kickoff event in Monument Square from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Wayside Food Programs will distribute collected food to pantries throughout Cumberland County. FMI and to RSVP visit https://www.facebook.com/events/359201544751650/
WE ARE PORTLAND: CELEBRATING OUR DIVERSITY
On Saturday, September 14, the City of Portland’s Office of Economic Opportunity invites you to dance and/or walk a mile to global beats through the streets of downtown Portland! The event starts in Lincoln Park at 3:00 p.m. and ends at the same place with music, food, and educational opportunities. FMI and to request a song or register at https://www.portlandofopportunity.com.
WELCOMING WEEK MULTICULTURAL CELEBRATION
Welcoming Week is a national initiative designed to bring together immigrants, refugees, and native-born residents to promote cross-cultural understanding and community cohesion. The Celebration takes place on September 15, 9:00 am – 2:00 pm, at YMCA of Southern Maine – Greater Portland Branch, 217 High Street, Portland. Festivities include: Bilingual Exercise Classes, African Dance, Pick-up Futsal game (football/soccer
indoors!), and a Multicultural Potluck. The event is FREE and open to the community. There is plenty of free parking at the Gateway Garage (181 High Street). Bring your parking ticket for validation. All attendees will receive a free 7-visit family pass to the Y valid from 10/6 – 10/21. FMI visit https://www.portlandmaine.com/events/welcoming-week-multicultural-celebration.
HELP WITH PORTLAND SCHOOLS’ IMMIGRATION CONFERENCE
On Friday, October 18, the Multilingual & Multicultural Center at Portland Public Schools will host “Beyond Borders: Migration and Integration,” a conference held at the University of Southern Maine’s Abromson Center at 88 Bedford Street. Volunteers are needed on Thursday, October 17 and Friday, October 18. On Thursday, volunteers will help coordinate supplies and materials to take to USM. On Friday, volunteers are needed at USM to help with set-up, greeting speakers, panelists, and attendees, answering questions about the day’s activities and more. Minimum commitment is 1-2 hours. Training will be provided as needed. FMI visit http://volunteer.unitedwaygp.org/need/detail/?need_id=441723 or contact Nanette Dyer Blake at (207) 842-4657.
ASSIST WITH LOCAL PUBLIC HEALTH EMERGENCY RESPONSE
The dedicated volunteers that are part of Maine Responds and the Maine Medical Reserve Corps most recently responded to the Portland Expo Asylee Shelter in June and July of this year. The Maine CDC’s Public Health Emergency Preparedness Department seeks volunteers throughout the state to help reinforce our public health and healthcare systems and to prepare your local area for disasters and emergencies of all types. FMI contact Ed Molleo, Medical Volunteer Coordinator at Maine CDC Public Health Emergency Preparedness at edward.f.molleo@maine.gov or 207-
287-4072. Visit www.mainemrc.org for more info on MRC and www.maineresponds.org to register for either program.
Check out our September’s Volunteer Newsletter for more opportunities or search online at http://volunteer.unitedwaygp.org.
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