A Busy, Yet Fruitful Day for the PVs

This past Saturday in New Jersey was a busy, yet fruitful day for the PVs. Each spring we gather the PV Steering Committee together for a meeting, and this year we added the first meeting of our newly forming youth leadership team had a potluck for PVs in the area and in impromptu catch-up with a couple of young ladies from WEB, the empowerment group in Brooklyn. We left on Sunday energized and excited for what lies ahead.

The PV Steering Committee spent their time together looking over the commissioning service. The commissioning service is such an integral part of starting a PV week that we didn't want to change it completely, but definitely thought it could use a few changes here and there. We were very happy with the end result and look forward to its first run in Seattle.

Next on the agenda was the meeting with the youth wanting to be involved with the PV youth leadership team. The enthusiasm that they showed for this group was very energizing and we are looking forward to moving forward. We ended up with a rough draft of a mission statement, (we are still pondering names,) we have a project for the the group to work on, and many great ideas for fundraisers for the younger PVs. As all of this blossoms, we will keep you updated.

A couple of the young PVs that are interested in being a part of this group are also a part of WEB in Brooklyn. Being able to catch up with these young ladies, who we have known for 17 years, was amazing. To hear what wonderful things they have accomplished is inspiring. We are so proud of you all!!!

Finally, we finished the day with a potluck for any PVs in the area. We ended up having a great turnout of about 30 volunteers. As you can imagine wherever PVs gather, there was good food, wonderful company, a lot of laughs and even a little home repair! Thank you Kraytem family for hosting the day!!!!

The 8th Annual Live with Passion Is Upon Us

IT IS TIME FOR THE OFFICIAL KICK-OFF OF THE

8^TH ANNUAL LIVE WITH PASSION, AND…

 

What exactly is the Live With Passion, you ask? – Not only is the Live With Passion is our largest fundraising effort of the year, but an event to share your experiences as a PV and connect with your fellow PVs outside your volunteer week(s). It is a worldwide weekend of activities large and small, to support the work of the PV Volunteers and spread the word about who the PVs are and what we do. About 10% of our budget is covered by the funds raised by volunteers through the LWP and 100% of the money raised goes directly to the  PV Volunteers and its programs. Over the last couple of years the amounts raised via the LWP as been down which has also coincided with the program’s overall financial struggles. To turn this trend around, we are striving for 100% participation

Can you help us get sponsors? – This year we will have tote bags available to give your supporters. We thought these would be useful for people, perhaps to take the grocery store. You never know what conversation a PV tote bag might instigate.

We still need to have sponsors, but with less printable space, we will just be printing the names and not the logos of each sponsor. We are asking for all sponsor names and monies (starting at the very low cost of $50) to be in by April 4th. These sponsors help underwrite all the costs associated with the LWP (bags, mailings, materials), so all funds raised go 100% to the programs of the PVs. See attached LWP Sponsor sheet for more information. Besides the sponsors name on the tote bag, we mention their support on the “Live with Passion” blog and PV website.

When is it? – . The official Live with Passion Weekend is May 2-3, 2015. We are going back to targeting one weekend as the “Live with Passion” weekend, so we can really build on the idea that we are one community working together to support and spread the word of the volunteers. If this weekend doesn’t work for you, feel free to plan it when it will. As you know we are always flexible, we just would love your participation.

What can I do? – Be creative, pretty much anything can be turned into a fundraiser. Examples of past events:  wine tasting, bingo, raffles, potlucks, garage sales, bike rides, runs, walks, haircuts, hikes, music concerts, planting, soup suppers, dress down days at school, etc. The LWP is a great chance to gather your friends and family together and help support the PVs.

Where can I follow all the action? – Please let us know about your event, so we can include it on our LWP Blog (www.pvlivewithpassion.blogspot.com ) and website. Gathering all the information about the different events in one place not only shows the reach and diversity of the PVs, but also helps to legitimize the effort to our sponsors. Seeing people all over the country out in their own communities helping to raise awareness about the PVs in pictures and words is a  moving experience. The blog is also a great place to check out past events and get an idea of the rich history of the LWP. If you need any assistance in creating flyers or other marketing information, let us know we would be happy to help.

Do you need more information? – Attached is the sponsor information sheet, as well as a Live with Passion information sheet. If you have ANY questions about the LWP, please do not hesitate to ask.

PVs Lend Helping Hand to Northern Kentucky Agency

Today the PV Volunteers extended their scope of service to Carrollton, Kentucky.  Jill Wallace joined fellow PV Jenny Wiley to help distribute U.S.D.A. Commodities to residents of Carroll County Kentucky.  This federally funded program,  administered through two local agencies, provided food assistance to 112 families today.

NCAA Pool - Winner and the PVs Split the Pot

PV Mary Rocco has set up an NCAA online pool where half the pot will go to the winner and the other half will benefit the PVs. Please consider joining in on the fun and inviting friends and family to participate. All entries must be made by 9am Thursday morning. More details below:

Hi Everyone:

I've set up an NCCA pool online. It is a $10 buy in. Winner gets half the money with the other half being donated to the PV Volunteers. If you are interested please follow this link.

http://pvncaa.mayhem.cbssports.com/e?ttag=BPM15_paste_cbsinv

Pool password is: MarchPV

Email mrocco01@hotmail.com for an address to mail a check or send money via her PayPal using the email: mrocco01@hotmail.com.

Anyone can join, the more people, the bigger the prize, plus the more fun.

Thanks,

Mary

What a Wonderful Week

Today was the final week of what has turned out to be another wonderful week of collaboration between the PVs and Northern Illinois University students. As is our tradition, we try and have the group do a project all together on the last day since they are spread out working in different groups the rest of the week. Today they worked in Baileysville to help to rehab an old church that sits on top of the mountain. The road to the church was impassible by car, so the group had to hike up the side of the mountain with supplies and ladders in hand. The church is tiny, only about 10 foot by 12 foot, but holds huge memories for many in the community. The group put paneling on the ceiling and walls, and installed a door. It is the hope that the church can be used again and create many more memories.

After heading back to The Way to start to clean up the group drove up to Twin Falls to join us for dinner and a closing reflection. It was great to hear the impact the week's experiences had on everyone. Thank you to NIU's Newman Center for organizing a great group, The Way for housing the group and to the many people in Wyoming County for their hospitality. It was a wonderful week.

 If you look really closely, you might be able see the church on top of the mountain behind the group

Thursday...It's a Sunshiny Day

Today the sun came out, dried up the roads and left a genuine feeling of spring. Because of the gorgeous weather, the volunteers were very busy today distributing furniture at the St. Vincent DePaul warehouse, loading up the clients cars and assisting wherever necessary. With extra help, on days like these St. Vincent DePaul is able to give out much needed housewares and today specifically, mattresses.

Today was also the last day at the home repair site for the week. The difference between when we came in to begin work on Monday and how it looked this afternoon is astounding. Besides how it looks, just the fact that the floors are safe and sturdy is a huge worry off the minds of the home owner. While we were working on the floors and painting, we noticed that the toilets were flushing hot water. We found out last year when she was hooked onto city water they hooked the hot water instead of the cold water into the toilet. Just making this switch should help tremendously with her electric bill, and also replacing a leaking faucet should help save some more money. It turned out to be a wonderful week for both the volunteers and the home owner.

Finally, today was the last day the students went to assist at Head Start. From all reports the students have had a wonderful experience working with the teachers and students, as well as learning a lot about what it is like to grow up in the area. The Head Start will also benefit by being able to count all these volunteer hours to gain additional funding. Kudos to the Head Start and the teachers for allowing the students this experience.

Tomorrow for the final day, we have a special project that the whole group will do together. More on that tomorrow.....

Wednesday - water, water everywhere

The rains continue to pour and the rivers continue to rise. There is hope that tomorrow will bring sunshine and temperatures in the mid-sixties, melting the final patches of snow that remain and allow the swollen rivers to recede. We are really getting a taste of the weather that spring can bring.

We started the day with a quick repair of the sump pump at The Way to get the water flowing again and then headed out to sites for the day. The Head Start crew left really early, once again, to drive out to Baileysville and spend their day with the kids. The next departure was the crew heading to the worksite. Today the group laid the carpet and a couple of rows of tile on the newly replaced tile. The homeowner was ecstatic with the new floor, so excited not to have to walk around the holes anymore. Also on the docket was installing a new light fixture and fixing some plumbing problems and painting Killz on stains on the ceilings from a long ago leaky roof that the PVs fixed about 10 years ago. The plumbing and electric will continue into tomorrow, as well as a fresh coat of paint on the ceilings. The last group to leave The Way was the group that went to the Itmann Food Bank. The students got to learn the history of the Food Bank and help to clean and get it ready for distribution next week that will service over 500 people. Another great day!!

Rainy Tuesday

We were awoken in the middle of night by rain pattering on the roof thankful that the days plans were all indoors. As the rain continued all day and we were driving the streets of the county we kept one eye on rising creeks and rivers. There is still a flood watch for tonight, but as of now the water is staying within its banks and the fog is hanging low in the mountains.

The days activities included working at the Head Start, the St. Vincent DePaul warehouse and continuing the home repair work begun yesterday. Items were ready for distribution and the warehouse cleaned at St. Vincent DePaul, kids had learning companions and seat mates on the bus, and the floors were replaced and ready for carpet at the home repair site. A great day all around.

Mondays are Fundays!!!

The first day of the service week with Northern Illinois University students went off without a hitch and to top it off we were blessed with a beautiful sunshiny day. The sun and warmer temperatures allowed some of the snow to melt before the rains settle in for the week, hopefully helping alievate the flooding possibilities.

The students spent their day at three different sites. A group headed out to Bailyesville to work with the kids at Head Start, continuing the tradition of NIU students helping out there. They not only welcome them in with open arms, they really give a full experience from breakfast, the school day and the bus ride home.

Another group of students spent the day at the St. Vincent DePaul warehouse in Pineville helping to sort through the warehouse and get ready for some give-a-ways during the week. As always the experience is made even that more wonderful by spending time with Debbie. : )

The final site of the day was our home repair site. Volunteers spent the day tearing up and replacing flooring for a wonderful woman who lives near the Wyoming/McDowell County line. We will be working at the site throughout the week finish up the flooring and installing carpet. Keep checking back for updates on this project and all the great work this week. We will post pictures as we get them as well.

NIU has arrived in West Virginia!!!

The Northern Illinois University students arrived last night and are looking forward to a great week. They spent the day getting to know each other and exploring the county on a beautiful sunny day. Check back daily to see what they have been up to and all the amazing adventures they are having.