2011 A YEAR IN
REVIEW
Hands On Asheville-Buncombe is our community’s one-stop shop to find shortand long-term volunteer projects that fit both a person’s schedule and interests. Hands On manages an online, searchable database that lists volunteer opportunities that are • run by area non-profits, schools and other public entities, as well as • projects developed and run by Hands On. Our database allows individuals to fine-tune their searches in a lot of ways - by time, location, skills, kid-friendly and now projects that can done from home. Hands On also manages large one-day events like Day of Caring (1,100 volunteers) and coordinates projects for businessess, such as volunteer based staff development retreats.
2011 BY THE NUMBERS 3,000 volunteers participated in... 846
projects coordinated or promoted by Hands On Asheville-Buncombe. Those volunteers gave...
16,600 volunteer hours that supported... 145 nonprofits, schools and public entities benefited from that volunteer support.
$355,280...
That’s the estimated financial value these volunteers provided community-based organizations.
WHAT’S OUR IMPACT? Here are a few select accomplishments...
HANDS ON FLEX PROJECTS Many folks want to give back, but they are worried about making a long-term commitment. Hands On organizes projects like these to make it easy for them to be involved. Short-term, small-time 1,300 commitment: BIG impact. people had freshbaked cookies to come “home” to after a long day with sick family at the hospital or hospice.
1,230 meals were served to homeless veterans, families 4,500 served by Hospice and women working toward people benefited from financial better lives for their education packets families. prepared by OnTrack flex project volunteers.
PORTABLE PROJECTS So many in our community are home-bound but would love the chance to be more involved. For others, especially those with small children, volunteering can be a logistical challenge. Portable projects can be done from a home or office, based on the volunteer’s time constraints and mobility.
5,549 literacy and math games and 965 flashcard packets hand-knit hats were assembled and given were made for infants to kids in area schools served by the Department through the of Health and homeless 50 Teachers Pet men and women served draft project. by area shelters. stoppers helped our elderly neighbors stay warm and save money.
BACK TO SCHOOL SUPPLY DRIVE Each summer Hands On coordinates the Back-to-School Supply Drive to support low-income families. 2011 donations benefited elementary and middle school students served by programs of Children First/Communities In Schools, The Salvation Army, Literacy Council, Mountain Area Child & Family Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters and the YMCA’s 21st Century Afterschool Program. 600 fully-stocked backpacks were assembled and distributed to students.
170 hours... that’s how long it took to sort, assemble and distribute the backpacks.
SEASONAL AND SPECIAL GROUP PROJECTS Hands On promotes projects by season or holiday such as Martin Luther King Jr. Day, Valentine’s Day, New Year’s Resolutions, 9/11 Rememberance, etc. For a fee, Hands On also organizes group projects for businesses and others.
Day of Caring September marked our 20th Annual Day of Caring! Day of Caring, the largest community-wide service event coordinated by Hands On, uniquely mobilizes and equips workforce volunteers to strengthen our community by matching these groups with service projects to benefit Asheville and Buncombe County nonprofits, schools and public entities. 1,100 volunteers from 59 local businesses and the public at large participated
64 local organizations benefited from 3,400 hours, and 71 volunteer projects were completed!
IN 2011.... the “Volunteering in America Report” ranked Asheville 16th in volunteerism out of 75 mid-sized American cities. Below are statistics based on our own volunteer survey respondants:
82%
want one-time/ short-term projects
97%
12%
want a long-term committment
felt their experience was meaningful
77%
used our online calendar to find opportunities
23%
searched our database using “match my skills”
IN THEIR OWN WORDS “This was a wonderful experience to give a little something back to our Veterans! I would love to partipate in this type of volunteer activity again. Thank you!”
“This was one of the most rewarding experiences I have ever had. My daughter and I left feeling so wonderful inside knowing we helped in feeding thousands of hungry children... I highly recommend everyone get involved.”
“I really enjoyed Teacher’s Pet. The project was
worthwhile, well-organized, began and ended on time, and I had the opportunity to talk with interesting folks and learn more about Hands On Asheville-Buncombe.”
be the change.
volunteer.
give an hour. give a saturday.
g i v e yo u r b e s t . when you give. advocate. volunteer.
you live united .
trust us. you are needed.
www.handsonasheville.org 828.255.0696 • info@handsonasheville.org Join us on Facebook and Flickr! You’ll find links on our web site.
Underwritten By: Mission Health System