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PV event helps recruit volunteers

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By Mary Louise Speer | Wednesday, January 30, 2008 | No comments posted

Pleasant Valley High School students whirled from table to table learning about local non-profit needs during last week’s Volunteer Speed Matching event. Each organization had three minutes to highlight how it needed help.

The event pairs students who are looking for volunteer opportunities with nonprofits in need of extra help. About 20 agencies, representing a range of needs from the Crow Creek Dog Park to Humility of Mary Housing, the Quad-City Botanical Center and United Way, pitched their needs to freshmen from 8th period Resource and about 35 upperclassmen.

“What a good way to get information to these kids. With this, they get the information without any obligation. It’s very useful,” said Lindy Voss, the school’s service learning coordinator.

The event definitely was useful, Colette Blake, of Genesis Medical Center, said. “We have volunteers who work in our gift shop and volunteers who work at the information desk, and we do need people for those,” Blake said.

Helping at the hospital is a useful experience for someone thinking of entering the medical field, she said. Volunteers are trained for their respective roles, and early evening shifts are available.

Joe McElhiney, a freshman and soccer player, appreciated learning about different opportunities such as the new dog park in Bettendorf’s Crow Creek Park. Anything related to sports and helping young kids is his preference, he said. In the past, he’s volunteered to help young children learn how to read at Pleasant View Elementary.

“That was pretty cool,” he said.

Steven Vacek, a park ranger at Lock and Dam 14 in Pleasant Valley, has plenty of opportunities available for teenagers who like to be outside and active. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineering, Rock Island District, is responsible for upkeep on Smith’s Island near LeClaire, including keeping the 1-mile nature trail clear for walking. Volunteers also help clean out invasive species such as honeysuckle, do maintenance activities and pick up trash.

“Our fishing clinic that’s held in August, through the years I’ve had students from here help with that,” he said. On the day of the event, teens help bait hooks and help younger children learn how to measure fish.

“I think it’s really cool for other people to do things for the community,” freshman Katie Grimm said. Last summer she was a troop leader for her church’s vacation Bible school.

Pleasant Valley High School students must complete a community service requirement to graduate. Students in grades 9-10 must complete 30 hours of service, and juniors and seniors do a project or goal with a minimum of 40 service hours.

“I’m almost done with my hours, but it’s good to look at other things,” Katie said..

Contact the Bettendorf News at (563) 383-2396 or bettnews@qctimes.com. Comment on this story at qctimes.com.