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Affordable housing.
It’s not a sexy subject, to be sure, but it’s something we all want. A nice place to live — at a price we can afford. But it’s not a reality for many in the Richmond area.
That’s where Giving Back steps in.
April 18-24 is Affordable Housing Awareness Week 2010. “Our goal is to inform and educate those in our community about the challenges of finding affordable housing,” says Channy Franko, program director for the Partnership for Housing Affordability. “This third annual weeklong event invites volunteers from across the community to donate their time and talent at affordable-housing work sites throughout the Richmond region. The week gives folks a chance to learn firsthand about the lack of affordable housing in Richmond. Once they do, many want to get involved to solve the problem.”
That means volunteering on a regular basis with one of the 14 nonprofit housing partners in metro Richmond, including ElderHomes, Richmond Metropolitan Habitat for Humanity and the Better Housing Coalition.
Get this. Last year, 565 volunteers participated in Affordable Housing Awareness Week at 45 job sites, completing 3,500 hours of labor. Franko tells us: “They built homes, repaired homes and beautified neighborhoods. Some volunteers were even fortunate enough to work side by side with those they were helping … further enriching their experience.”
This year the Partnership for Housing Affordability is aiming for 600 volunteers at 45 job sites, totaling 3,700 volunteer hours.
Check out details at www.affordablehousingrichmond.com. You can see pictures of last year’s volunteers and a video of the projects in action and sign up to volunteer for this year’s week. You can also call Franko for additional information at 804-422-5013.
Get ready. Your week of volunteering could have you putting up drywall, planting a flower garden or laying a vinyl floor. But it will definitely have you changing a life!
Plant a pinwheel and fight child abuse
April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month, and area volunteers are raising awareness through thousands of pinwheels planted across the metro area.
“When people see a pinwheel — especially kids — it’s a happy symbol,” says Stacy Hawkins Adams, public affairs consultant with Prevent Child Abuse Virginia (PCAV). “For adults, pinwheels remind them of happy times. Planting pinwheels is a way to celebrate kids and remind adults that children should be celebrated.”
You’ll find the signature pinwheel collection in the Children’s Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden — 4,000 pinwheels planted by 50 volunteers. PCAV’s Pinwheels for Prevention will be on display at Ginter through the end of April.
If you’d like to plant a pinwheel garden, Adams says it’s easy to do. “We encourage groups, businesses and individuals to plant their own gardens by ordering pinwheels at www.pcav.org. Pinwheels can be planted in your front yard, your church or school. You can also give them to children or to child advocates as a gift.” You can reach Adams for more details by e-mailing
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. Plant a pinwheel and fight child abuse.
Boomer’s Volunteer Connection sponsored by Saxon Shoes
Check out all the volunteer opportunities in the metro area at www.TheBoomerMagazine.com. “Volunteer Connection” can be found under the tab “The Magazine” on the home page. What’s great about the site is that you can find volunteer opportunities that fit your Giving Back needs and donate goods to organizations in need. You can also find out about upcoming events as well as post events your nonprofit is holding —events such as the Kentucky Derby Day Party on May 1 at Rocketts Landing. Yours truly and my dear friend Hugh Gouldthorpe of Owens & Minor are this year’s co-chairs for the annual race social.
Proceeds benefit Richmond Ballet. Visit www.richmondballet.com for ticket information.
Lisa Schaffner, a former WRIC-TV anchor, is public relations director for UNOS. Contact her at
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