Annual Appeal 2019

In 1997, the individuals comprising the Board of Directors decided to pursue the various requirements which would allow the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center to operate as an independent agency. With much support from the entire Baldwinsville community, the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center, Inc. was established in 1998. This year we are celebrating our twentieth anniversary. We are the only local, community-based Volunteer Center in Onondaga County. Living up to our mission statement “to encourage, support and empower volunteers to meet the needs of the Greater Baldwinsville Community,” the Baldwinsville Volunteer Center’s goal is to be a resource for volunteers and volunteer-based organizations; and to foster and promote the role of volunteers at the heart of our community. Although we are a small agency, we were able to impact our community during the past year in the following ways: • With the help of the Baldwinsville community, the Baldwinsville Christmas Bureau was able to provide 70 families a complete Thanksgiving dinner basket. • The Christmas Bureau, again with the help of many in the community, was also able to help 153 families including 334 children, enjoy a happy Christmas holiday! Families received a Christmas dinner, extra boxes of food for their cupboards, toys, stockings, clothes and coats, winter boots, books, and household supplies. • Our Mentoring Program, which matches a caring adult or high school student with an elementary school student, provided a mentor to over 50 students this past school year. They provide encouragement and that extra one-on-one support and attention weekly. • Our H.E.L.P. (Household Essentials for Living Pantry) Project continues to address the needs of families struggling to make ends meet through a coordinated effort to stock the Baldwinsville Community Food Pantry shelves with basic household and personal care supplies. • We coordinate an annual Volunteer Recruitment Fair, allowing representatives from over 20 area organizations to showcase their organizations to people interested in finding volunteer opportunities. • We coordinate a Vision Referral Program with the Baldwinsville Lions Club to provide eye exams and corrective lenses to children within the Baldwinsville Central School District. • We celebrate the important role that volunteers play in our community. Each year, we recognize the Man and Woman Volunteer of the Year for their achievements in the Baldwinsville community. This year, we honored David Greer and Gwen VanDerveer. We also recognize outstanding teens through the Marilyn Swete Memorial Outstanding Teen Volunteer Scholarship Award. This year’s award went to Ryan Micho. • And, of course, we are a resource for people looking to volunteer in the Baldwinsville community! We match volunteers with organizations that are looking for the invaluable help and support that volunteers provide. Please “Like Us” on our Facebook page and check out our website at www.bvillevolunteers.org for volunteer opportunities and special requests for urgent one-time volunteer needs. We are totally dependent on contributions from individuals, businesses and organizations. All funds raised stay in the Baldwinsville community and directly benefit Baldwinsville residents. Fundraising dollars support the programs we offer and sustain our part-time office. We ask you to show your support of the BVC by making a donation through this, our Annual Appeal.  Feel free to donate to the Annual Appeal using our secure PayPal link on our website or mailing your donation to 8 Mechanic St., Baldwinsville, NY  13027. We appreciate any and all donations as we strive to provide volunteer services and promote volunteerism in the Baldwinsville Community. We hope that we can count on your support. Sincerely, Barbara Presley, BVC Board President