Give 365

365 Days and Ways to Serve

April 27, 2013 Volunteer Tulsa's recognition program came to life as the bookend to National Volunteer Week at Tulsa Community College's Center for Creativity. The fifth annual A License to Change celebrated the incredible contributions of greater Tulsa-area residents who so willingly give to our community--year 'round. Mistress of Ceremonies Julie Chin announced nominees as Recognition Chair Jennifer Thompson, CVA, presented each with certificates.

Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton shared experiences from her youth that led her to her platform of lifelong volunteerism through Time, Action, Passion! (TAP!). She and Mrs. Oklahoma Julie Pittman joined Volunteer Tulsa Board president Lynn Staggs in congratulatory photographs with each nominee. 2012 Change Agent Marcie Tarvid, also, was on hand with Therapetics "trainee," Dessa, to help present the 2013 Change Agent of the Year.

Barbara Boyer, long-time volunteer with Oktoberfest, was named 2013 Change Agent of the Year. An independent panel of community leaders serving as judges selected Boyer for her positive, dependable, passionate and conscientious gift of time and leadership.

Change Agents unveiled for outstanding service performed during 2012:
  • Youth - Ranger Kelly for his service with Broken Arrow Youth Baseball
  • Adult - Sybil Phillips for her volunteerism with Clarehouse
  • Senior Adult - Steve York for his mentoring service with Junior Achievement of Oklahoma
  • Pro Volunteer - Travis Kelly for his leading service with Broken Arrow Youth Baseball
  • Family/Community Group - The University of Tulsa Engineering Department - for students, faculty and staff's hands-on creativity with The Little Light House
  • Employee Volunteer Program - Verizon Community Relations Committee for employees' response to needs of multiple community organizations
For the first time, Volunteer Tulsa will make cash grants to each of the organizations served by the seven Change Agents. These grants are designated for developing and enriching the organizations' volunteer efforts through education of volunteers and volunteer administrators, recruitment, communication, recognition, and relationship-building.

President Staggs expressed appreciation to Patrons as "Super Agents": The Anne and Henry Zarrow Foundation, The Bama Companies, Inc., Public Service Company of Oklahoma, BKD LLP, Brenda and Lloyd Haggard, and Kimberly-Clark. Special thanks was given for support from Abuelo's, Andy B's, Boomerang Printing, Reasor's, Tulsa Performing Arts Center, and Tulsa Community College.

"Hand it to the Volunteers!" campaign was launched offering the community the chance to celebrate this year's nominees or other loved ones through charitable Tributes of $5 each. Tributes were displayed during the ceremony on volunteerism-themed quilts handcrafted in 2003 by Green Country Quilters Guild. Donors may call 918.447.1888 for details or download/print the Tribute form to send with checks to Volunteer Tulsa, PO Box 4196, Tulsa OK 74159-0196.

Volunteer Tulsa's mission is to create a volunteer environment that enriches the lives of all area residents while addressing issues and needs within the greater community. It is eastern Oklahoma affiliate of Points of Light Institute/HandsOn Network, the nation's largest volunteer and citizen action network. Promoting volunteerism is a key initiative of Volunteer Tulsa and its recognition program helps shine the light on ordinary people who do extraordinary things every day in our community.

Check out the incredible volunteers who have been honored in the past!

January 1, 2013 Start today, because every day Volunteer Tulsa see neighbors reaching out to neighbors, and complete strangers lending a hand to others through volunteer service. Lives are changed 365 days a year when volunteers respond to fellow residents facing homelessness, hunger, health, employment or natural disasters.

Allison recently shared: Volunteering with Volunteer Tulsa has opened my eyes to the many organizations that need help...I love to come here to see how the community is growing through service. When I choose to volunteer my time, it allows the organizations to focus their dollars where they are needed most!"

GIVE WHERE YOU LIVE

Your charitable gift of $365 makes it possible for this young volunteer (and you!) to connect with meaningful service opportunities every day of the year. Volunteer Tulsa's goal is to enrich area residents' lives 365 days through 365 opportunities.

  • Give to Volunteer Tulsa programs and help celebrate our community's people in action.
  • Give to honor a nominee or another loved one, $36 each. (Via Paypal: type honoree's name/address in Business Address Line 2.)
(click DONATE to complete via PayPal)
A dollar a day helps Volunteer Tulsa connect volunteers with experiences just like Allison's. Volunteers can welcome and support families in medical crisis, read to young students or do crafts with elder adults. Like many volunteers, you may have found you learn about your community and yourself through giving service!

Every day Volunteer Tulsa partners with organizations to help them most effectively work with volunteers who give in response to identified community needs. Food, shelter, and clothing top the list as volunteers prepare, serve, and deliver meals and groceries, staff temporary housing and shelters, and process and distribute clothing 365 days a year.

Your generosity helps more volunteers give time and expertise to benefit the community where we live, work, play, and serve!

Charitable donations to Volunteer Tulsa, Inc. are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law.

SERVE WHERE YOU LIVE

Find your passion. Find a volunteer opportunity. There's one for you 365 days in 2012!

How Can I Be Involved Year 'Round?

  • Give your time, talent, and expertise to our community! Check out all the fun and meaningful ways to serve--just like the volunteers, below, who helped Make a Difference, October 27, 2012!

Mother Road Makeover

October 27, 2012 Twenty-six volunteers got their kicks AND helped Make a Difference for the Kendall Whittier/Whittier Square neighborhood! Neighbors and volunteers swept, tidied, removed, replanted, trimmed trees, moved heaaavvvvyyyy iron benches...all for "Make a Difference Day" through this neighborhood bordered by older and newer pathways of the legendary Route 66. Miss Oklahoma Alicia Clifton got into the Mother Road Makeover with some rose planting!
Thank you, Partners: AEP-Public Service Company of Oklahoma, Bama, Circle Cinema, George Kaiser Family Foundation, Kendall Whittier Main Street, Kendall Whittier Neighborhood Association, Metropolitan Environmental Trust, QuikTrip Corporation, Spring Creek Nursery, The Garden Trug, The University of Tulsa/True Blue Neighbors, WalMart, Whittier Square Improvement District. An anonymous donor provided several of the rose bushes for planting at Whittier Square!