Whatcom Volunteer Center

Whatcom Volunteer Center is a Washington based non-profit organization that services local community volunteers and non-profit organizations of Whatcom County by pairing the individual volunteer with the organization.
Community members who visit the WVC are matched with volunteer positions involved with:
:*Education
:*Health care
:*Social services
:*Animal welfare
:*Cultural arts and history
:*The environment
:*State and local government.
Mission Statement
Whatcom Volunteer Center’s mission is to ‘be at the core of participation and service by promoting and supporting effective service to improve community. ’
Whatcom Volunteer Center divides this mission statement into three goals it hopes to achieve for Whatcom County.
:#To directly assist organizations to meet their missions without increasing their expenses, through the infusion of donated human resources.
:#To provide volunteers access to meaningful opportunities to contribute their time and talent to making their community a better place.
:#To help build a community where volunteering is the accepted norm and a way for individuals to engage in the life of their community.

History
The Whatcom Volunteer Center was established in 1971 as part of the Retired & Senior Volunteer Program, and was then dedicated to serving volunteers 55 years old and over. In 1994, WVC incorporated in order to link volunteers of all ages to organizations to meet community needs.
2008 Statistics
In 2008, 917 individuals and 47 groups reported volunteering more than 296,818 hours through Whatcom Volunteer Center. They filled 253 different jobs in 305 organizations in the community. It should be noted that some people worked at more than one job for one or more agencies, and that many jobs were filled by multiple people.
Independent Sector placed the worth of a volunteer hour at $20.25 in 2008, meaning the local volunteers of Whatcom County contributed more than $6 million worth of time and effort to their community.
During 2008, 4,860 total people were enrolled with the Whatcom Volunteer Center to utilize the more than 230 volunteer opportunities offered at any one time. It should be noted that not all volunteers that use WVC record their volunteer hours.
2009 Statistics
In 2009, 1,499 individuals and 59 groups reported volunteering more than 231,995 hours through the Whatcom Volunteer Center. They filled 266 different jobs in 150 organizations in the community.
During 2009, more than 5,019 total people were enrolled as volunteers with the Whatcom Volunteer Center. It should be noted again that some people worked at more than one job for one or more agencies and that many jobs were filled by multiple people. As with the previous year, many volunteers did not report some or all of their volunteer hours, resulting in slightly decreased numbers.
Activities & Events
Project Homeless Connect
Project Homeless Connect is one day of services for guests who are homeless to obtain medical and vision screening, dental, mental health screening, DSHS services, ID cards, housing information, haircuts, pet care, ect. Service providers donate their staff time and equipment to give services on the spot or with a referral for free follow up after the event.
Project Homeless Connect began in October 2004. Now, well over 200 cities in the United States, Canada, Australia and the Dominican Republic have created their own Project Homeless Connect events.
At the inaugural Bellingham/Whatcom Project Homeless Connect in January 2009, 474 people received services. More than 250 people volunteered or provided professional services.
Hearts and Hands Awards
Whatcom Volunteer Center holds the annual Heart & Hands Awards event to recognize and celebrate the outstanding service of more than 65 members of the Whatcom County community. The top five volunteers recognized get $200 donated to the nonprofit of their choice.
Human Race
The Human Race is a 15-year-old joint nonprofit fundraiser held in Whatcom County. The event features a 5-kilometer (3.1-mile) walk, and timed 5-kilometer and 10-kilometer runs. Once registered, participants can gather pledges for the nonprofit of their choice. In 2009, The Human Race drew 434 racers and raised 48,000 for 50 nonprofit organizations.
Participating nonprofits included the Arc of Whatcom County, BP Cherry Point Refinery, Animals as Natural Therapy, Womencare, Bellingham Gluten Intolerance Group, the Hearing Speech and Deafness Center, the Jazz Project, Alcoa, and more.
Make A Difference Day
Make A Difference Day is a program started in 1990 by USA Weekend, and is held annually on the last Saturday of October. This is a day of service and volunteerism that is celebrated all over the country. In Whatcom County, the event is sponsored by Whatcom Volunteer Center
WVCs Make A Difference Day
Make A Difference Day, October 24th, 2009, Whatcom Volunteer Center helped 826 volunteers participate in 45 projects on behalf of 25 agencies, and recorded a total 2,875 volunteer hours.
Projects took place at American Museum of Radio and Electricity, the American Red Cross, the Arc of Whatcom County, the Arthritis Foundation, Bellingham Books to Prisoners, City of Bellingham Parks, Birch Bay State Park, Health Support Center, Interfaith Community Health Center, Kulshan Community Land Trust, Lydia Place, Nooksack Salmon Enhancement Association, Sean Humphrey House, St. Francis Extended Care, Whatcom Land Trust, Whatcom Volunteer Center , WVC’s Volunteer Chore Program, and the Woodstock Farm Conservancy.
Programs
Volunteer Chore Program
In the Volunteer Chore Program, volunteers provide no-fee services to low-income elderly and adults with disabilities to help them remain independent in their own homes. Volunteers perform chores such as housekeeping, shopping, laundry, yard work, and minor household repairs. These simple services allow clients to stay out of costly assisted living centers for as long as possible, helping them maintain their dignity and independence.
House to Home Network Virtual Furniture Bank
Whatcom Volunteer Center organizes the distribution of donations of furniture to furnish the homes of individual families that were recently homeless. The House to Home Network uses an online database to organize donations, which are picked up from the donors’ house by volunteers and delivered to the customers. This specific virtual model is also the first of its kind in the country. Items that can be donated include:
:*Mattresses, box springs and bed frames
:*Couches
:*Chairs
:*Dining tables and chairs
:*Desks
:*Dressers
:*Miscellaneous furniture (side/end tables, ottomans, coffee tables, etc)
:*Kitchen items (pots, pans, dishes, utensils)

Hovander House Docents
From May through Labor Day each year, volunteer docents staff this historic house so the public may enjoy and learn about the agricultural history of Whatcom County. The house is open to the public weekends May 1 through Memorial Day, then Thursday - Sunday through the summer. Hours of operation are 1- 5 p.m., with the last tour at 4:30. The House is open Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day. Whatcom County Parks and Recreation manages the Hovander Homestead in Ferndale, relying on the support of Whatcom Volunteer Center’s volunteer docents.
Project Warm-Up
Project Warm-Up works to distribute warm items (mittens, blankets, hats, etc.) to local agencies that serve low-income and homeless individuals and families. Throughout the year, Whatcom Volunteer Center solicits donations from knitters and crocheters. They tag, store and eventually distribute these items to the members of the community that need them most. Annually, they have collected more than 2,900 handmade and donated items.
Partner Agencies
American Red Cross
American Cancer Society
Arthritis Foundation
AARP
Alzheimer’s Society

Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Corporation for National and Community Service
United Way of America
Retired & Senior Volunteer Program
United Way of America
Board & Staff
WVC Board of Directors 2010
President: Russ Whidbee
Vice President/Treasurer: Nancy Mendelsohn
Secretary: Cheryl Collins
Immediate Past President: Noel Paus
Member: Diana Bakkom
Member: Louise Bjornson
Member: Helen Moran
Member: Tessa Rawitzer
Member: Christina VanWingerden
Member: Kris Palmerton
WVC Staff
Executive Director: Sue Ellen Helfin
Volunteer Program Director: Jodi Sipes
Volunteer Program Director: Dan Hammill
Volunteer Chore Director: Alyssa Hoover
Office Manager: Susan Porter
Finance Manager: Lois Oswalt

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