Posted: September 14, 2017

North County Opportunities

HERE ARE SOME CURRENT OUTREACH PROJECTS IN NORTH COUNTY THAT MAY HAVE YOUR NAME ON THEM!  Contact Info@girlfriends.org for more information or to sign up!

New or Upcoming Opportunities

• Carlsbad Care and Shares! – Volunteers needed to prepare and assist in the largest single donation opportunity Girlfriends Care supports for our communities! Sign up for shifts Oct 8, 9, 10 or 11^th. Signup here or contact Carol@girlfriendscare.org.
• Carlsbad Street Faire -Volunteers are needed for 2 hour shifts throughout the day on Nov 5th to collect donations as well as share the Girlfriends Care mission and encourage our community to get involved.  Signup here or contact Carol@girlfriendscare.org.
• Boys & Girls Club of Vista – Please help with our fundraiser Saturday September 30th! Volunteers needed in concessions and registration from 1:00pm-4:00pm (or a portion there-of) for the health and fitness themed “Fun-A-Thon”.  For more information, please contact Theresa at: theresa.powell99@yahoo.com or Ellen at ellen@bgcvista.com.
• Volunteer Action for Aging –Volunteers needed to engage with seniors during various monthly arts/crafts events. Contact Theresa Powell at tpowell3@scanhealthplan.com. October volunteer needs:
  • 10/5/2017 1:30-3:00pm in San Marcos- BINGO! Help call bingo, give away prizes, and offer refreshments to residents in senior housing.
  • 10/9/2017 1:30-2:30pm in North Carlsbad – Give away smiles and care packages to seniors in need of hygiene supplies and good cheer.
  • 10/13, 10/20/, 10/27- 3:00-4:30pm in Encinitas – Activities with Seniors in Assisted Living: Help with crafts, give a Travel Talk, or offer your skills as a musician. Lots of choices…just tell us what you can do to help!
  • 10/23/2017 1:00-3:00pm in North Carlsbad- Crafts with Seniors: Assist residents of senior housing with creating a simple and creative craft (no experience/skills required).
  • Warm “Soles” by donating slipper socks to be distributed to seniors in need of cheer.  Donations can be dropped off at the Carlsbad Shares and Cares event on October 11^th between 10:00am and 3:30pm .  Collection boxes will be located at Linda’s Gifts in the Village of Carlsbad:  300 Carlsbad Blvd #115, Carlsbad CA 92008.  Other drop off/pick up times may be arranged. Contact tpowell3@scanhealthplan.com  
• Teens Care for ages 13-19 – The following projects are well suited for teens.
  • Now until end of Sept – Cheerful Thanksgiving Cards creatively designed by youth of any age are needed to cheer isolated seniors for Volunteer Action for Aging.  Cards will be included with meals delivered to lonely seniors on Thanksgiving Day. Contact sharon@girlfriendscare.org for more details.
  • 10/23/2017 5:15pm in Vista – Serve dinner to families entering into the Solutions for Change program. Email sharon@girlfriendscare.org for more details.
• KidzCare for ages K-8th grade – The following projects are well suited for kids accompanied by a parent.
  • Now until end of Sept – Cheerful Thanksgiving Cards creatively designed by youth of any age are needed to cheer isolated seniors for Volunteer Action for Aging.  Cards will be included with meals delivered to lonely seniors on Thanksgiving Day. Contact sharon@girlfriendscare.org for more details.
  • 10/23/2017 5:15pm in Vista – Serve dinner to families entering into the Solutions for Change program. Email sharon@girlfriendscare.org for more details.

Ongoing Opportunities

• Prayer Pillowcases – Girlfriends are needed to help cut, iron and sew our Prayer Pillowcases in preparation for the distribution of more than 700 pillowcases each year to comfort the homeless and those living in transitional housing in both North County and San Diego. Girlfriends are also needed to lead groups of kids decorating and praying for the receiver.  Contact Linda Crawford at pillowcases@girlfriendscare.org for more information and/or to make a project donation.
• GFC Gift Bags for women in need– Supplies are needed to fill GFC Gift Bags. A beautiful gift bag brings a smile to those with very little. Girlfriends Care decorates and puts together gifts bags for women and girls in need, We need new journals, beauty items, jewelry and other “girly” items to fill the bags.  Contact Diana Hanes at Diana@girlfriendscare.org if you would like to donate or bring them to a monthly meeting.  
• The Boys and Girls Club of Vista- Volunteers needed for both weekday and weekend activities and projects including:  After school activities with the kids (between 3:00pm-5:00pm weekdays), Administrative assistance mornings & afternoons, and special event planning & day-of event assistance.  Any commitment is welcome (Come once, or as often as you’re available!)  For more information, please contact Ellen at ellen@bgcvista.com
• Homeless Street Teens and Foster Youth Aging out of the system – Donate non-perishable snacks or socks to be handed out to the homeless teens through YMCA Youth & Family Services. Bring to the next Girlfriends Care meeting or drop off at any of our drop off locations or contact MaryAnn at mgraham@ymca.org.
• Milestone House, Support At-Risk Teen Foster Girls!  Milestone House is in need of volunteers who are willing to share their teaching talents in areas needed – such as music, art or cooking.   Contact Beverly Boone at Beverly@milestonehouse.org.  
• Help Women and Children Rebuilding Their Lives After Domestic Violence or Sexual Assault – The moms and children living in transitional housing at the Women’s Resource Center always need basic household supplies and grocery store gift cards.   Drop your donation during regular business hours at their office at 1963 Apple Street, Oceanside 92054 – or bring to a GFC meeting.
• Brother Benno’s– Volunteers are always needed at both the main center and the Thrift Shop. Contact Denise Seymour at denise@artistofyourmind.com.  The Thrift shop is in needed of clothing donations.  Drop off at the Thrift Shop or contact parsons7016@sbcglobal.net.  
• Bread of Life– Serving the homeless in North County.  Volunteers are needed for various projects.  To find out more go to website bolrescue.org or contact bolrescue@gmail.com. Donations of food and paper products are in need!   
• Fill A Belly welcomes families, small groups and individuals to bring, serve and enjoy dinner with guests on Tuesday evenings at Holiday Park in Carlsbad.
• KidzCare– Hands-on kid sized outreach projects for kids age K-8^th grade are great teaching tools!  Contact Sharon at KidzCare@girlfriendscare.org for more information or to sign up.
• Teens Care for ages 13-19 is designed to provide meaningful volunteer opportunities for youth.  Projects can count towards community service hours required by local schools.  For more info or to get on the mailing list, contact Ellen at TeensCare@girlfriendscare.org.
• Have a few minutes to pick up and deliver items directly to those we help? Please notify Girlfriends Care at info@girlfriendscare.org that you would like to help when an opportunity comes up!
• Have a talent to share? Contact Carol@girlfriendscare.org to add your name to our list of those willing to teach, sing, play an instrument or share your skill at an upcoming event, senior home, or other organization we serve. (Please indicate name, email address, talent and best times available.) 
• “GFC Breakfast Club”: Help feed the poor and homeless at Brother Benno’s on the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December).  Arrive at 9:30 AM and finish by Noon!  The food, which is supplied and prepared by Brother Benno’s, is served from a cafeteria-type line. If you want to serve, or just to put your name on the Serving Roster to be notified for future months, please let us know at Info@girlfriends.org   Ages 17 thru 107 are welcome!
• Amazon-SMILE is a simple and automatic way for you to support Girlfriends Care every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop, AmazonSmile donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to Girlfriends Care.  Simply choose AmazonSmile and Girlfriends Care, then place your order as usual.   Share this with your friends, relatives, college students ordering their books, etc., so we can “Compound the Caring” for all those we serve!  AmazonSmile: You shop. Amazon gives.  Another Win-Win-Win!