10 Ways To Love Memphis This June

Welcome to June, Memphis! Today, I'm happy to announce a new project for I Love Memphis in collaboration with Volunteer Odyssey. Each month, we'll spotlight ten or so unique ways to volunteer in Memphis. This month, we have everything from bartending at a tropical-themed party to supervising water slides at Shelby Farms to being an extra in a local promo film.

Overton Park's Day of Merrymaking is June 6, and you can volunteer to help at the event.

I see it all the time on social media: y'all really do want to give back and show your love for Memphis. I hope these monthly roundups make it easier to find volunteering ideas that work for you. If none of these strike your fancy, go to Volunteer Odyssey's site: the superheroes there are scientific experts* on the what/when/how of volunteering. 

One more big thing: if you do indeed sign up for one of these volunteer events, let me know. I'd love to include your experience in next month's "10 Ways To Love Memphis" post. If you need help documenting your experience (taking photos, etc.) or want to share your story, just email me or leave me a note in the comments.

And now, without further ado: here are ten ways you can love Memphis this month. 

1. Unload for Lunch: Wednesday, June 3, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Catholic Charities will be receiving a semi-truck full of brand new clothing they need volunteers to help unload the truck. You'll get a free lunch out of the deal. 

To sign up: Email Lucie

2. Bartend for Baby Hearts: Saturday, June 6, shifts available noon to midnight.
Put those bartending skills to good use. Join the International Children’s Heart Foundation to volunteer with Taste of Caribe, a Cari an evening designed to awaken your Caribbean senses. Help with ticket sales, managing the door, serving food/drinks, silent auction, t-shirt sales. Bartenders and non-bartenders welcome. (Ed. Note: I've been to this party before and y'all – the ICHF knows how to throw down.)

To sign up: Email Randa

3. Get In On Some Festival Fun: Saturday, June 6, shifts are 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Do you love festivals?  Volunteer for A Day of Merrymaking Family Festival for the Overton Park Conservancy.  Volunteer opportunities include staffing the Overton Park Conservancy booth, shuttle locations, water rides and the art adventure tent.

To sign up: Email Susan

4. Lend a Hand For Israel Fest: Sunday, June 7, various shifts available.
Memphis Israel Festival needs volunteers to help at Audubon Park.  Volunteers will help set up tables and chairs, place banners, sell beverages, and help in the parking lot or with security.

To sign up: Fill out this online form

5. Go Gardening With the Kids: June 8 – 12, various shifts available.
Do you enjoy seeing the delight of discovery on a child’s face? Volunteers are needed to help the Memphis Botanic Gardens at the Garden Goodies Caterpillar Camp.

To sign up: Email Page

6. Feed Folks at St. Mary's: June 15 – 19, 7 a.m. to 10 a.m.
Serve a hot meal at St. Mary’s Soup Kitchen in downtown Memphis. It’s the longest continuously operating soup kitchen in the city. You’ll serve food from the back door of the kitchen – just like the monks used to do in the 1800s! Tell Martin we sent you.

To sign up: Click here

7. See Yourself On the Big Screen: Saturday, June 20, 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Be an extra in a promo video! Operation Broken Silence is filming a promotional video for their Eden's Run 5K. Show up in your running attire and bring your water bottle. If you show up, you'll get free registration for Eden’s Run 5k.

To sign up: Email Zack

8. Eat, Drink, Volunteer: Monday, June 22, 6 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Happy hour + volunteering = VolunCheers. Help prep materials or assemble bags and packets for upcoming charitable events while enjoying free drinks and grub. It’s the perfect volunteer opportunity for a busy schedule

To sign up: Click here

9. Make Splash + Splatter Happen: Weekends in June, Saturdays 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sundays noon to 5 p.m.
Shelby Farms Park needs volunteers to help with Splash + Splatter. Stay cool this summer by helping out at this great kid-friendly event with splash pads, pools, water inflatables, beach volleyball and more. 
 
To sign up: Email Irene

10. Help Someone Feel At Home: Whenever you're ready! (opportunities ongoing)
World Relief Memphis helps refugees from around the world as they settle into their new home in the U.S. As they acclimate to their new life, you can help them navigate new experiences like grocery shopping and learning the transit system.

To sign up: Click here 

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Looking for more ways to volunteer? There are more than 80 volunteer opportunities on Volunteer Odyssey’s Calendar: volunteerodyssey.com/calendar. Also be sure to check out their awesome new online virtual volunteer fair, Volio: voliovolunteers.com

*I'm not sure if there's actually a science related to matching volunteers with volunteer opportunities…but if there was, VO would be in the top of their field I'm sure.

Again, if you sign up for one of these, let me know. I'd love to give a shout-out to you next month. Who knows? Maybe your experience will encourage others to give back and give Memphis some lovin', too. 

I Love Memphis via http://www.ilovememphisblog.com/2015/06/10-ways-to-love-memphis-this-june/

https://memphissmbmedia.wordpress.com/2015/06/01/10-ways-to-love-memphis-this-june/ from Memphis SMB Media