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It’s hard to believe it’s November.  We have so much to be thankful for this year.  Thank you to all the volunteers that have helped us double the amount of service this year.  We’ve had almost 1800 volunteers donate almost 11,000 hours of service (valued at over $220,000) so far this year.  Keep up the great work.  You make this community a better place!
 

Friday, November 27, 2009 East Village
Check-in at City Hall between 5:00-5:30 p.m.,
At Stations for Lighting 5:45-6:30 p.m.

Come help us flip the switch!  Spread the joy this season and help light the downtown for the holidays at Holiday Lights Des Moines, the second annual lighting ceremony and holiday kickoff.  Individuals, groups or families are encouraged to sign up and be part of creating a wonderful holiday tradition!  As Mayor Cownie lights the giant tree in the Brenton Skating Plaza, volunteers will be at assigned stations along Locust Street from City Hall to the Capitol and will simultaneously plug in their section of lights.  After the lighting, volunteers are free to enjoy fireworks and the events downtown such as carolers, horse-drawn carriages, specialty food vendors, family crafts, musicians and live holiday performances. 

We will have some cookies and hot chocolate available to our volunteers to keep you toasty warm (be green and bring your own travel mug if you can).  You may want to bring lawnchairs and blankets or something to keep you warm while you wait at your spot while for the lighting and to enjoy the fireworks following. 

**Please note: I’m looking for a few volunteers that would like to come early at 5:00 and help with registration.  If interested, please note it on your pre-registration.    

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Monday, December 15, 2008, 6:00-7:30 p.m.
Four Mile Community Center, 3711 Easton Boulevard

December 15, 2009, 12-5 Setup and/or 5:30-10:00 Party/Clean-up (Choose a shift)
Pioneer Columbus Community Center, 2100 SE 5th St, 50315

The City of Des Moines Parks & Recreation Department is looking for some jolly souls to brighten this holiday season at Four Mile and Pioneer Columbus Community Centers!  Adult volunteers may help hand out treats, dance/interact with children and best of all help Mrs. Claus hand out presents from "Toys for Tots" to community children.  If you can’t come but want to donate treats see the Bakers opportunity below.   
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Pioneer Columbus		 Sign Up For This Volunteer Oppertunity
Four Mile
 

Flexible between November- January and then once more during March-April
Gay Lea Wilson Trail, Waveland Trail, Meredith Trail, Trestle to Trestle Trail and Levee Trail

Wanting to enjoy the great outdoors and some of Iowa’s great trails?  We’re seeking 6 people (3 teams of 2) that know how to use a GPS unit (or would like to learn…training can be provided) and want to make our trails a safer place.  Volunteers will walk/bike the length of the trail, stopping every ¼ mile to spray paint a dot on the trail and record a GPS coordinate.  This month would be a great time to get it done before it snows.  Then, in March or April, volunteers will return to install emergency 911 marker posts so that if something happens on a trail a user can identify their location.
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Ongoing, flexible

Our community centers and recreational programs provide affordable programming for those in need.  Each year we try and extend the spirit of the holidays and offer Halloween and Winter Holiday Parties for seniors and youth in the community.  We have many winter events such as the Winter Holiday Party where Toys for Tots provides gifts for the children but we’re in need of treats to make the day extra special. 

Volunteers provide so many wonderful services for us from helping with the flower program that beautifies our parks, downtown, neighborhoods and streets to working with youth in our community.  From our volunteers in our offices to the volunteers in the field, they are that extra special touch, that sparkle in our community and the shine that makes Des Moines yours & mine.  Help us thank them and support their efforts by providing treats during our volunteer workdays. 

If you’re willing to help our volunteers, youth and seniors so they know just how “sweet” they really are and give back this holiday season, please sign-up as a baker.  The numbers in ( ) are the amount of people anticipated.  You can bake the treats yourself or just volunteer to bring something you’ve bought…whether it’s a dozen or more we’ll be happy either way.  Cookies, cakes, brownies, chocolates, cupcakes, candies, fudge, dipped pretzels, caramels, holiday specialty treats, peanut brittle, etc.) 

Not into sweets?  They can also use donated apples, oranges, bananas, grapes, pears, candy canes for the parties. 

Upcoming Dates:
November 24 & 25    Four Mile Community Center Seniors Thanksgiving Party (75)
November 27             Holiday Lights Des Moines Volunteer Treats (200)
December 7               Four Mile Community Center Seniors Seasonal party (130)
December 8               Four Mile Community Center Seniors Holiday Light Bus Tour (100)
December 15             Four Mile Community Center Children’s Holiday Party (250)
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  • Connie Struve for keeping our files in tip top shape again.   

  • Michelle Ketelsen for stepping up to help with Trash Bash planning.

  • Jayne Wright and Stephanie Bunting from Nationwide, Noelle Smith and Laura Lawler from Drake for their help at the Pioneer Columbus Children’s Halloween Party where over 300 children attended. 
  • Drake Alpha Phi, Kathy Burrows-Noring, Debby Mook, Chris Mooney, Cynthia Wilhelmi, Melissa Judge, Donn Vaughn, Barb Baker and all the staff for their help at the Four Mile Community Center Children’s Halloween Party.
  • Public Works Chili Cookoff Strike Team, Emily Collins, Sandy Whaley, Tim Smith and the other City volunteers that helped kickoff the combined charities campaign Chili Cookoff.
  • Brandy Dacken, House of Mercy, Rogers Shell and Kent Kehlenbeck for the amazing work keeping the roses healthy at the Clare and Miles Mills Rose Garden.
  • Mel Saghedpour, DMACC students, SCAVO students and Gray’s Lake staff for keeping Gray’s Lake weed-free and in a “zen” like state. 
  • Youthbuild volunteers and Jim Hyler, Rich LeFleur, Kevin Drees & Larry Edris for helping at Blank Park Zoo demolish the upper deck and bridge. 

  • Central Iowa Trails Association, Pack 50 Webelos and all the volunteers that improved Ashworth Park’s trails. 


Pack 50 Webelo Scouts earn their Leave No Trace badge. 


House of Mercy helps at the
Clare and Miles Mills Rose Garden 

Central Iowa Trails Association help build
sustainable trails at Ashworth Park. 

Volunteers help at the
Four Mile Children’s Halloween Party

Volunteers help hand out treats at Four Mile
Community Center Children’s Halloween Party
Meredith Rebuilding Together volunteers
install a new playground at Ashfield Park
Donn Vaughn having some “spooktacular”
fun with kids at Four Mile Halloween Party. 

 
For more information or questions contact: Callie Le’au Courtright
Des Moines Parks and Recreation Supervisor-Volunteer Program

Email: ParksVolunteer@dmgov.org
Phone: 515/248-6380
Fax: 515/263-8746