Volunteer
Volunteer Highlight
In 2009, once again, the Berges Family has made a wonderful donation by asking that birthday presents for Gerhard’s 40th birthday be, instead, donations to TTF and they translated several pages of the website into German for the event. This family has made such wonderful donations every year for the last 4 years and usually by taking donations in lieu of Christmas or Birthday gifts. Carsten Kruger, their relative and friend or ours in Zambia, has made TTF donations in Germany a reality and we are so grateful for their support.
________________________________________
Olmsted County, MN Social Services Staff
The Support Services staff of Olmsted County Social Services held their annual retreat this year at the Good Earth Village in Spring Valley, Minnesota on 8/14/09. This year we asked one of our Social Workers, Jessie Stratton, from the Child & Family Division to come to speak to us regarding her involvement with Tiny Tim & Friends and share her experiences and pictures of her recent visit to Zambia. She also brought along some lovely African jewelry that many of our staff purchased and have been proudly wearing ever since! Our afternoon team building exercise consisted of cutting and tying a total of fifteen brightly colored blankets that were sent over to Zambia for the children and families that are served by Tiny Tim and Friends. In the many years we’ve been doing this retreat, this was by far one of the most rewarding days our team has experienced. The Tiny Tim & Friends organization and the children they serve have found a special place in all of our hearts and we want to express our deepest appreciation for allowing us to feel that we perhaps provided even a small amount of help and comfort to this wonderful cause. A special thank you to Jessie for taking time out of her day to spend the morning with us!
________________________________________
Kristin Sedgwick and Piggy Bank
My mother and I are so excited to join Tiny Tim & Friends in Lusaka this August. It has been a long time dream of mine to travel to Africa to gain experience in international healthcare, further my study of medical ethics and open my eyes to a new culture and way of life. Boston College has generously awarded me a grant to fund my travels, for which I am grateful. This support has given me the opportunity to focus on raising funds for the Tiny Tim & Friends organization. I have distributed nearly 50 piggy banks (donated by piggyplan.com) to friends and family asking them to “feed” the pig with their spare change. The response from donors thus far has been inspiring. The pigs have been returned overflowing with not only coins but dollars and checks. I hope that the pigs and letters I have distributed will inspire interest in the Tiny Tim & Friends mission and show that a little bit from each person can go a long way for the people that Tiny Tim & Friends serves.- Kristin Sedwick
________________________________________
Garret’s tips for Volunteers!
Volunteer and Farm Manager Garret has compiled a very useful handout for volunteers covering useful information and FAQs:
If you are planning to stay in Zambia longer than 3 Months, read the following handout from Garrett for more info:
Extension Volunteers Immigration Tips
In addition to the FAQ that Garret has put together many volunteers also find the volunteer blogspot to be useful: www.tinytimandfriendsvolunteers.blogspot.com
There are numerous ways to volunteer for Tiny Tim & Friends, and you don’t have to travel all the way to Zambia to do so! Below is a list of upcoming volunteer opportunities. If you don’t see anything that interests you, please check back as we frequently update the Web site with new activities.
Downloadable handout of ways to support TTF:
________________________________________
Feature: Not Your Mother’s Tupperware Party!
Host a TTF dinner party! This is an exciting new way to create awareness and raise donations for TTF. Invite 6-10 friends to your house and share the TTF experience over dinner. Let your friends and family know that this is their opportunity to make a difference in global poverty.
If you are interested in hosting a TTF dinner party, email tinytimandfriends@pclink.com for more details.
Discussion materials and photographs will be provided by TTF to make this an impactful and educational event for your guests.
If you see an event that you would like to participate in, please let us know you are interested by e-mailing tinytimandfriends@pclink.com
________________________________________
Opportunities in Zambia
Despite what you might think, you don’t have to be a doctor to volunteer in Zambia. Whatever your talents may be, you can make a difference in your own unique way. From teachers to photographers to mothers – we have had a variety of people share their passions with the Zambian community.
If you are considering traveling to Zambia, please contact tinytimandfriends@pclink.com to brainstorm how you can help.
Also, please review the Tiny Tim and Friends Volunteer Agreement.
________________________________________
Create Your Own Opportunities
Although Tiny Tim & Friends is based in Minnesota we have had donors world-wide host their own fundraising events. All it takes is a little creativity! See below for a few examples:
- A joke book was written by students of Brigham Young University, with proceeds donated to Tiny Tim & Friends. Check out the book at http://www.byubookstore.com.
- Every year, the Lindner family in Bozeman, Montana works the concession booth at Montana State University sporting events and has all proceeds donated to Tiny Tim & Friends.
- Donors in Germany hosted a benefit concert called ROCK AGAINST AIDS! The concert raised 1000 Euros (approximately $1,500) to be donated to Tiny Tim & Friends!
E-mail your great ideas to tinytimandfriends@pclink.com . We look forward to hearing from you!
________________________________________