Celebrated the first full week in May since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is a time set aside to honor the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county, and local government employees. Throughout the nation, public servants use this occasion to educate others about the work they do and why they have chosen public service careers, as well as the many ways government services make life better for all of us and ensure that our government is the best in the world. More national information can be found at publicservicerecognitionweek.org.
For the past couple of years, AFT-WI and other AFL-CIO Union members have taken time to volunteer in their communities across the state during this week. Once again, Ann McNeary, the United Way of Dane County AFL-CIO Community Services Liaison has offered to help us coordinate and track union member volunteering efforts during this week. A list of some of the available opportunities for this year is shown below. However, if these don't work for you, please feel free to contact Ann directly at labor@uwdc.org or 608-246-4355.
Activities Planned for 2015
Walk MS (Multiple Sclerosis) - Sunday, May 3rd, between 7:00 am and 2:00 pm
Walk MS welcomes volunteers with a wide range of skills, talents, abilities, and interests. Individuals, groups, and families are welcome to participate. Positions include: set up, registration, greeters, rest stop (hand out snacks and drinks), photography, medical support, tear down, and more! The only requirement we have of you is a sincere desire to help us end MS forever. Partial shifts are available. Contact Ann McNeary for additional information on how to sign up.
MSCR Learn 2 Ride Bike Event - Sunday, May 3rd, between 7:30 am and 12:00 noon
Are you a bike enthusiast? Love working with kids? Want to teach a child a lifelong recreation skill? Madison School & Community Recreation (MSCR) needs YOU! Learn 2 Ride teaches children ages 4+ (and their adult chaperone) easy, hands-on techniques to get kids riding solo on two wheels! Using this innovative approach, youth learn how to balance, glide, pedal, stop, and steer on a closed course. Event will take place at Memorial High School (on the westside of Madison). We hope to serve over 250 children! Individuals are needed to assist with registration and serve as Helmet Fitters, Bike Course Trainers, Bike Inspectors, and Bike Runners. Contact Ann McNeary for info on the sign-up process.
Spring Plant Sale Team - Monday, May 4th, from 10:00 am and 12:30 pm
Volunteers are being sought to help unload shrubs and small trees from delivery trucks bringing these plants to the Arboretum for the Friends of the Arboretum Native Plant Sale. [The actual sale takes place on Saturday, May 9th, but shrub and tree delivery takes place on the morning of May 4th. This is a job for strong people with healthy backs who can work in the sun or the rain. It would be a fun group project. Contact Ann McNeary for additional details.
Habitat for Humanity of Dane County - Friday, May 8th, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm
Help with other state public employee union members on a work crew to build a house in Sun Prairie. This is the third year of volunteering with Habitat for this type of project. You will finish the day tired but very satisfied and learn how to perform a house building task too! You must be available for the entire day, from 8:00 am to 3:30 pm. Contact Jeff Myers at wspresident@wspunion.org or 608-334-1643 to sign up.
Wisdom Prairie Planting Day - Saturday, May 9th, from 8:30 am and 12:00 noon
Volunteer with the Friends of Wisdom Prairie and help sow ten (10) acres of prairie at Holy Wisdom Monastery located in Middleton. A Dane County Parks naturalist will lead the prairie planting activities. The Friends of Wisdom Prairie are dedicated to caring for the earth at Holy Wisdom Monastery. All are welcome. Lunch will be provided at noon. Contact Ann McNeary to get signed up for this project.
National Association of Letter Carriers Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive - Saturday, May 9th, between the hours of 1:00 pm and 7:00 pm
In Dane County and nationwide, this is the largest single-day food collection for the entire year. Letter carriers will be picking up donated food items and giving the items to local food pantries. Help is needed in unloading (and possibly sorting) collected donations. At a minimum, consider contributing food items that day - plastic bags of non-perishable items will be picked up that Saturday by your letter carrier. If you are interested, please contact Ann McNeary and she can connect you with a location. Partial shifts are available. Or you might also contact your letter carrier, local post office, or local food pantry to ask how you can help.