Unplugging and Reconnecting

"I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my senses put in order. "

John Burroughs

As I sit on the eve of an extended Labor Weekend getaway to the mountains with family, I am getting excited to get away from computers, from phones and from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.  Sound familiar??? This is a sentiment that I hear time, and time again each summer while volunteers are in West Virginia. We have limited internet access, no cell phone access and are literally forced, in the most beautiful way, to talk and to listen to each other. We enjoy each others company, playing games together, getting to know each, communing with nature, and in general slowing down. We have heard many times from volunteers that their volunteer experience is like a retreat, a chance to step back and reflect on life and realize what is most important. It is essential to have these moments in our lives. For some it may not be in nature, but on a quiet subway ride or in the company of a close friend. I think the important part is to have these moments and to grateful in these moments.

Back to School Shopping - Support the PVs

It is back to school time and for a lot people this means it is time to shop. This year think about helping the PVs while you are doing your shopping by signing up for iGive. Every time you shop at any of the 1,000+ online stores in the iGive network, a portion of the money you spend benefits PV Volunteers. It's a free service, and you'll never pay more when you reach a store through iGive. In fact, smart shoppers will enjoy iGive's repository of coupons, free shipping deals, and sales. To get started, just create your free iGive account.

New Collaboration in Wyoming County

We wanted to share with you an exciting new collaborative project in the works for the summer of 2013.  This past summer, we met with leaders of the Wyoming County Economic Development Office to discuss new ways in which the PVs can be of service to the county. The director, Christy Laxton, told us of the plans for the upcoming Reaching the Summit Community Service Initiative.  Next summer, the annual Boy Scout Jamboree will be held in southern West Virginia.  During their stay, the boys will be involved in numerous service activities.  Over fifty such projects will take place in Wyoming County. Ms. Laxton asked if the PVs could help with overseeing a few of the projects and offering some home repair expertise.  We are lucky to have to so many skilled volunteers that can provide such assistance at various sites throughout the county.

 In August, a meeting was held in Pineville to plan for the upcoming event.  After attending the meeting, and hearing about some of the planned service projects,we are even more excited about being involved with this venture. Also attending the meeting, was a woman many of us got to know this summer. She lived across the street from a site where we were working. This woman, graciously extended hospitality to all the volunteers who served at this site.  She let us use her weed whacker, her electricity, and her bathroom. It seemed whatever we needed she had. All who met her were impressed with her can do attitude. So I was not surprised to see her once again chipping in to serve the people in her community.

On a side note,  you will be happy to hear that during the meeting, the PVs were praised for our efforts this summer at the school house in Itmann.  So many volunteers worked tirelessly at this historic building and that hard work was recognized and praised by community leaders.  So thank you again to all the PVs for your work this summer.

WEB Celebrates 9 Years in Brooklyn

This year marks the 9th anniversary of the beginning of WEB, the young womens empowerment group in Brooklyn. So much has changed over the last nine years, including their name. Originally the group was called TGIA (Teen Girls in Action), but as several of the members began reaching their twenties it was decided to come up with a more inclusive name, WEB (Women Empowering Brooklyn.) We could not be ,more proud as we have watched these young ladies grow. They have all graduated high school or received their GED, one has received her two year college degree, several others are working toward their degrees, some are still in high school, and a couple have become proud and loving mothers. Many in the group have come down to West Virginia to volunteer their time and they all have been counselors or junior counselors at our PEACE camp in Brooklyn. These young women are looked upon as leaders and mentors to the younger females in their neighborhood. And most impressively, they continue to stay connected with WEB and the PVs.  We are proud of you ladies!!!

A big thank you to Tricia, Patti and Rocco for your continued dedication to the group, facilitating the meetings and keeping the whole thing together!

A little inspiration...

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” – Margaret Reed 

Not a lot of news going on in PVland, so I thought I would go with one of my favorite quotes and one that I think is so true of the PV Volunteers. With everything going on in the world these days it can be a little overwhelming, wanting to help, but not knowing were to start. You want to reach out and make a difference, but feel like what one person can do is so little. One person, or a small group of persons, can make a huge difference. I think the PVs are evidence of that, not only in WV and Brooklyn, but in their own communities back home. You are all an inspiration!

Summer Program Volunteers

Yesterday we talked about what the volunteers did during the summer program, today we wanted to share who these volunteers were.  This summer we had 101 volunteers come and join in the efforts of the PVs. These PVs represented 18 different states and ranged in age from four to 80 years old. Twenty-six volunteers came as individuals, while 75 came part of a couple or family. To be completely transparent, we should say that two of the volunteers who came as individuals got engaged while they were in WV, so when they come back they will be changing categories. Congratulations again Rob and Rebecca!

One of the interesting things about the PV Community is the diversity in the group. Not only do the volunteers come from all over the country, but they represent many walks of life. Just to list a few: farmer, lawyer, architect, teacher, engineer, student, nurse, stay at  home parent, business owner, editor, songwriter, performer, counselor, coach, retiree, mechanic, zoo keeper. Imagine being able to sit down each night and have conversations and laughs with such a group. It is one of the things that makes the PV community so unique!

Summer Program Accomplishments

Have you been wondering what all the PVs did this summer in West Virginia? Quite a bit would be the answer. Here is summary of this summer's activities:

Home Repair

·         28 homes in need of emergency repair. 

Children’s Educational/Recreational Activities

·         Children’s recreational camp in Hanover

·         Two Soccer camps in Mullens

·         Two Basketball camps in Hanover

·         Sports camp in Hanover

Adult Programs

·         Weekly activity program at Glen Rogers Manor and Mullens Manor.

·         Visited elderly and homebound.

Social Service Agencies and Advocacy

·         Staffed the Itmann Food Bank.

·         Assisted at St. Vincent De Paul in Pineville.

·         Assisted the Upper Guyandotte 

      Watershed Assoc.

 Special Projects

·         Collaborated with UGWA and Groundworks on redesigning and rehabbing old school in Itmann into office space and visitor center/museum.

·         Donated computers and school supplies for students at Huff Consolidated Grade School.