There’s an App for That?
It’s easier than ever to give back. United Ways in Iowa have launched a free app for iPhones, iPads, and iPods which allow users to map volunteer opportunities in the Cedar Rapids or Des Moines metro areas.
Return to Mei Cobb's Profile
November 5 is International Volunteer Managers Day
Volunteers should get lots of thanks and recognition. They make time, show up and share of themselves all in the name of helping someone else. Worldwide, volunteers are essential to improving the education, income and health of people in need, protecting the environment, advocating for social change, and more.
Here’s a question: Where do the candidates stand on promoting volunteering and national service?
I thought it was great that individuals were permitted to ask questions during the second presidential debates. One question to ask is where the candidates stand on promoting volunteer engagement through national service.
JUMPSTART THE AMERICAN DREAM
OPPORTUNITY NATION WEEK OF ACTION (OCT. 8TH-15TH) - Fewer Americans are likely to earn a high school diploma than their parents, a distinction not shared by any other industrialized country. We know that when students drop out of school, communities suffer. About one quarter of all students – one million students a year, 3,000 a day – fail to graduate on time. It’s no wonder that our trust in the power of the American Dream is wavering.
What Would Gandhi Say?
October 2nd is a national holiday in India commemorating the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi. It may have another designation soon, as Indian business, government and nonprofit leaders recently signed a petition to President Pranab Mukherjee to establish October 2nd as "National Volunteering Day". These leaders recognize that India’s future depends on volunteers, whose time, minds and muscles can speed the pace of development in their country of more than one billion people.
Let’s Play
“Education.” Many of us automatically think “school” when we hear that word. But learning happens everywhere, especially for young children. And in our effort to cut the number of high school drop outs in half, United Way supports early childhood learning in diverse ways: through reading programs, book drives of course, but also in parks and on playgrounds.
On 9/11, Do a Good Deed
The National Day of Service & Remembrance is observed on 9/11 each year. Last year more than 30 million people volunteered or found other ways to connect with their communities and loved ones on 9/11 Day.
Labor Days of Action with United Way
In the United States, we celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday in September to recognize the economic and social contributions of working men and women. This Labor Day, I’d like to recognize two groups of union members who are volunteering in support of United Way initiatives.
Be a Champion. Serve the Community.
I like soccer, and I like RFK, but here’s what I really like: huge signs, visible from every angle in the stadium, that prominently display the core of D.C. United’s mission statement: WIN CHAMPIONSHIPS. SERVE THE COMMUNITY.
High School Hoops Stars Give Back
On Friday, July 13th 2012 United Way had the pleasure of coordinating a service project for a great group of high school basketball players. The 10 young men were in the Washington, DC area to take part in Nike’s Global Challenge, an international tournament featuring the best high school players from around the world.