An article about Home Depot would not be fair without also showing some examples of what Lowe's has done to help the community as well.

For example, "Lowe's and Partners Aid Isabel Victims; Company Provides Community, Monetary Support"

Included in the article, available at http://lowes.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=386 includes FEMA representatives in local stores helping them file for federal relief.

Events 101 - You Are Prepared!

Preparing for the Unpredictable: Planning for Emergency Situations and Operations Breakdowns

Thank you to everyone that attended Events 101.

"Events 101 is a one-of-a-kind workshop for people who plan public festivals, events and other programs. As accessible and informative for new or volunteer event producers as it is to seasoned event professionals, Events101 delivers in-depth educational sessions on the nuts and bolts of community and public event planning."

Now that we have discussed the importance of planning. Have you asked yourself, how do all of the pieces fit together?

Some of the questions to think about:

• What is your check-in/check-out procedure?
• Who is where?
• How do you hand lost children? Who is staffing it?
• Do you conduct background? How well do you know your volunteers?
• Do you volunteers absorb the material in your security briefing?
• Who is on your leadership team?
• What happens when your leadership team is not there?
• Who's in charge?
• What happens when the power goes out or you lose communication?
• How do you handle food safety?
• When you have food for your volunteers, how long does it stay out?
• Which organization does your volunteers represent?
• Are volunteers your liability?
• How do you handle special needs in an emergency?
• What about people from other countries and different languages?
• What about people who cannot hear verbal messages?
• Who is watching the young volunteers?
• How does the weather fit into your plans?
• Do you have staging areas?
• How will you handle evacuation?

And while you might think you have incorporated all of these things into your plan, have you "Asked a Volunteer?" Just to make sure they understand how they fit in.

Here is the Who's In Charge video.

If you need assistance planning for "Emergency Situations and Operations Breakdowns", please do not hesitate to contact us at neighborshelpingneighbors@live.com

Additional Opportuntities with Local Volunteer Centers

Looking to volunteer for inauguration and not already trained by the American Red Cross or do not have a CERT team in your community that is deploying?

There may be other volunteer opportunities. According to the Volunteer Fairfax website:

"Inauguration Volunteers Needed
Due to the large number of visitors expected, volunteers may be needed throughout the metro DC region. Please contact Marcelo Ferreira for information."

As trained members of the Volunteer Fairfax Volunteer Mobilization Leadership Team (VMLT) do not appear to have been contacted, additional information is not available.

For those that do not live or work in Fairfax County, we suggest that you contact the Volunteer Center in your community or a local religious organization.

What Are You Doing This Summer?

For IBMer Andrew Levy and his daughter Gabrielle, volunteerism is a family affair.

In honor of their service to the local community of Fairfax, Virginia, these President's Volunteer Service Award winners were recently named "Lord and Lady Fairfax." The tradition of honoring Lords and Ladies of Fairfax began in 1984 as a way to recognize the outstanding citizens of Fairfax County. At only five years old, Gabrielle is the youngest recipient in history to receive this honor.

"It is truly an honor to be recognized as a father–daughter team," says the elder Levy. "But our volunteer efforts really include the entire family. Volunteering and giving back to the community have become important family values for us. The earlier you instill those values, the greater the lifelong impact."

Along with mom, Eva–Beth and son Aiden, age three, the Levy family is often found at local events offering a helping hand. They have demonstrated solutions from TryScience at the Smithsonian's Family Day and highlighted the new PowerUp game on the National Mall with IBM during Earth Day.

Many random acts of kindness

For Gabrielle, her volunteer involvement at a Fairfax event got her started making greeting cards. These cards have expanded into what she calls her own company, "Caring Kids Cards."

With the help of younger brother Aiden, the Levy kids have made cards for members of the military stationed around the world, police officers, fire fighters, senior centers, students in college, transitioning parents and even cards in other languages. Often receiving orders for 50–100 cards at a time, Gabrielle and Aiden hope to impact over 10,000 people with their cards by the time they are teenagers. Their Web site was named a "Web site of the month" by the Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

"I started volunteering when I was three years old," says Gabrielle. "I would like everyone to know that it does not matter how old you are. Even someone as young as two, like my brother Aiden, or younger, can make a card" — and make a difference.

Giving back globally: the Corporate Service Corps

As one of the first IBM Corporate Service Corps assignees, Andrew Levy is taking his passion for giving back on the road — and around the globe — as he prepares for a four–week assignment this July in the Philippines.

"I am excited about working with an international team in a culturally diverse environment to help solve challenges, to make a difference — and to learn in the process," says Levy. "We are not going to do a short–term job and then leave. We are there to help teach the locals, to mentor them, so they are able to continue with their newly learned skills and teach others as well."

(Reprinted from ibm.com)