Serving Plano Safely The challenges that our community faced this year were no match for the desire of Plano volunteers to continue serving their neighbors safely.
5,113 VOLUNTEERS
63,570 HOURS OF SERVICE
VALUE OF $1,729,118
C ORINA SA D L ER
RE BE C CA HAND
Animal Shelter
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
STORIES OF SERVICE AND RESILIENCY It goes without saying that this past year has been challenging. We were met with an abrupt stop to many volunteer opportunities within the City, not to mention the many other ways our normal daily lives have been tested by the pandemic. Plano volunteers rose to the challenge to serve their communities and each other. City of Plano staff got busy creating and implementing policies to keep patrons safe, redesigning programs to be virtual and creating systems to respond to residents in need of help. Throughout the past year, we’ve had the opportunity to hear the stories of many community members whose resiliency helped them engage in service for the first time. This annual report highlights that resiliency of our volunteers and stories of opportunity and success that came out of this past year. One of those successes happened for VIP’s coordinator, Rebecca Hand who received a national IMPACT Award from the Association of Leaders in Volunteer Engagement. This award recognizes exemplary leaders in the field of volunteer engagement and spotlights the many talents Rebecca brings to the City of Plano. I want to thank City staff, volunteers and community supporters for continuing to share your stories and love for Plano with us. We look forward to this new year with you. With gratitude, Corina Sadler, CVA Volunteer Resources Supervisor
Joey and Jennifer Russo began volunteering at the Plano Animal Shelter in November 2018. Joey is a dog exerciser and Jennifer is a cat room attendant. They began volunteering because it sounded fun and wanted to give back some of their time to the community. When not keeping up with the cat room, Jennifer takes photos of pets for the shelter’s adoption page. She loves playing with the kittens and helping them learn to trust people. Joey enjoys working with the dogs and seeing how happy it makes them to get out of their kennels, run and have interaction. When COVID-19 hit, the volunteer program at the shelter was limited to just a few positions, including Joey and Jennifer’s. They feel very fortunate to still be able to volunteer. VIP and the Plano Animal Shelter are thankful for their dedication and continued service over the past year. Shelter staff Molly McLain commented, “The Russos are very dependable – always coming in and loving on the animals, giving them much needed exercise and socialization. We are so very grateful and so are the animals!”
Live Green in Plano
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
Juanita Freeman has been a loyal gardener at the Plano Community Garden for over 10 years. As a Live Green in Plano volunteer, she has harvested 1,276 pounds to donate to area food pantries. When she learned there was a need in the City of Plano and surrounding cities for people to gain access to fresh produce, she knew her gardening knowledge was a perfect match for the program. Getting involved was extremely easy and the joy she experiences in providing fresh vegetables to families cannot be beat. In the aftermath of COVID-19, Juanita knows her service is more important than ever. We have all seen the images of long lines at area food banks. She is grateful that COVID-19 has not changed the amount of time she spends in the garden but is looking forward to her fellow volunteers being able to return, along with the camaraderie they experience. We are very thankful and honored for Juanita’s long-time dedication to the Plano Community Garden, and the joy and passion she brings to help fulfill its mission.
ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH & SUSTAINABILITY
A N I M A L S H E LT E R
265 VOLUNTEERS 3,381 VOLUNTEERS 20,454 HOURS 13,189 HOURS . . . . . .
Socializing and exercising animals Adoption counseling Fostering animals Photography Building support Off-site events
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Garden workdays Special events Litter cleanups Storm drain labeling Community outreach
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMUNICATIONS 9-1-1
LIBRARY
427 VOLUNTEERS 5,253 HOURS . . . . . .
157 VOLUNTEERS 16,046 HOURS
Shelving, mending and cataloging books . Police – Records, Explorers, Internships, Victim’s Services, Plano Citizens Police Math tutoring Academy Alumni Association Small Talk . Fire – Plano Fire-Rescue Associates, Donation sorting Explorers Genealogy . Emergency Management Teen volunteer program
PA R K S & R E C R E AT I O N
471 VOLUNTEERS 6,252 HOURS . Sam Johnson Recreation Center for Adults 50+ . Interurban Railway Museum . Courtyard Theater & Plano Stages . Adapted Recreation . Special events and summer camps . Parks maintenance
Kudos to these Programs FOR SHOWCASING VOLUNTEER EFFORTS IN A DISTANCED ENVIRONMENT Live Green in Plano Community Cleanups and Community Garden Plano Animal Shelter Volunteer Program Plano Municipal Court Virtual Teen Court Plano Public Library Virtual Small Talk and Teen Street Team Plano Police Department VIP Teen Summer PINGO service game
OTHER PROGRAMS
412 VOLUNTEERS 2,376 HOURS
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Communications & Community Outreach Municipal Court/Teen Court GIS Neighborhood Services Texas Pure Products Engineering Planning
Police
Fabian Gordon serves as the President of the Plano Citizen’s Police Academy Alumni Association, a volunteer group that operates in coordination with the Plano Police Department. He has been a member of PCPAAA since May 2015 and has served in multiple leadership roles. He was motivated to join after having a positive experience in the Citizens Police Academy. Fabian and other PCPAAA volunteers formed PMAP (PCPAAA Members Assisting Plano), a subgroup of volunteers who wanted to respond in the aftermath of COVID-19, which required many of our vulnerable neighbors to be homebound.
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT
They delivered food, wheelchairs and other necessities. Giving back to the community in a manner that helps promote the safety and wellbeing of Plano’s population is a highlight for Fabian. He also takes great pride in being associated with the Plano Police Department. We are grateful to Fabian and all the PCPAAA volunteers who have gone above the call of duty.
CITY STAFF SUPPORT NEIGHBORS DURING WINTER DONATION DRIVES Each year VIP staff coordinate a winter coat and blanket drive benefiting a Plano nonprofit that serves our neighbors experiencing homelessness. For the first time, VIP partnered with the City of Plano Human Resources Department to create a giving opportunity for City staff during the drive-through Holiday Employee Luncheon. Car after car stopped to donate items for Streetside Showers, a mobile shower service with stops in Plano. It was wonderful to see staff from so many departments continue this meaningful program by rolling down their windows to donate over 200 new and gently used coats and blankets. Seeing the needs coming from the nonprofit community gave us the determination to see our largest yearly giving program continue. Our Adopt-An-Angel program partnered with Meals on Wheels Collin County, Assistance Center of Collin County and our own City families to provide gifts for children and support for households impacted by unexpected emergencies. We matched City departments with Plano families at a higher rate than ever before. The spirit of service that thrives within our City staff teams was evident by the carloads of toys and household goods that were donated. This effort directly impacted 97 of our Plano neighbors.
VOLUNTEER
Award Winners Special thanks to these volunteers for going above and beyond to make Plano a City of Excellence.
PLANO PUBLIC LIBRARY
Thank you to the following employees and department teams for giving:
Accounting/Treasury/Finance Admin Building Inspections Customer Utility Services Engineering Environmental Health & Sustainability Neighborhood Services Parks and Recreation Planning Plano Event Center Plano Public Library Police Public Safety 9-1-1 Recreation Division Technology Services Brienne Wilkins - Procurement and Project Management Chris Biggerstaff - Plano Fire-Rescue Kellie Pendleton - Purchasing Maria Watts - Public Works Michelle D’Andrea - City Attorney’s office
Akie Kasai Volunteer of the Year
SUSTAINABILITY & ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION Barbara Moore LGIP Volunteer of the Year Annika Jyothi LGIP Environmental Enthusiast Youth Service Award Greg Holdsworth LGIP Follow in my Footsteps Award
PLANO CITIZENS POLICE ACADEMY ALUMNI ASSOCIATION Jeri Horton Volunteer of the Year Frank Guckes Rookie of the Year
VOLUNTEERS IN PLANO STAFF
MISSION
Corina Sadler, CVA
To create and support meaningful community
Volunteer Resources Supervisor
Rebecca Hand, MPA, CVA
Volunteer Resources Coordinator
Robert Gonzales
Volunteer Resources Assistant
,
engagement and to facilitate community partnerships through new and innovative opportunities which elevate City services and the quality of life in Plano. volunteersinplano.org