After the Disaster - Volunteers Still Needed!

Natural disasters - like this spring’s St. Croix Valley flooding or the recent tornado in North Minneapolis – often bring out the best in our communities. Droves of volunteers signed up to help out with sandbagging, debris pick-up and many other community needs. During the flood threat this spring, Community Thread signed up over 2,000 volunteers from across the Twin Cities to assist with sandbagging in downtown Stillwater and other river communities. Likewise, over 2,000 volunteers assisted with tornado clean-up in North Minneapolis on just one day.

It’s wonderful to have such support for and from our communities during these times of need. And in times of disaster, the need is both urgent and great. We are fortunate to live in a city and a state where people will readily give of themselves in service to others.

That being said, I’d like to present a challenge to this community: What if you continued to volunteer, even after the disaster? The need may not be as obvious, but it’s still great. As Program Director for Community Thread’s Volunteer Center, I can tell you with certainty that there are many people and organizations that can use your time and energy – all year long.

Now don’t try to feed me excuses – I’ve heard them all:

You’re too busy? There are plenty of opportunities that don’t require a long-term commitment.

Your schedule doesn’t allow it? We can help you find evening and weekend opportunities to balance your work schedule.

You’d have to find childcare? Many organizations have opportunities that are family friendly.

You haven’t been asked to help? Well…consider this your official invitation!

You don’t know where to start? That one’s easy – call us at Community Thread and we’ll help you find a volunteer opportunity that’s just the right fit.

You don’t have to commit to three times a week. You don’t even have to commit to once a month. We have flexible opportunities, like our new Chore Services Initiative Volunteers. We have one-time events like Spring Into Service and Rake a Difference Day. And we work with nearly 50 other nonprofit organizations in the St. Croix Valley to help them meet their volunteer needs.

Fortunately, tornadoes and floods only happen once in a while. But unfortunately, there are people in our community that need help every day. Right in Stillwater there are kids who need tutors, seniors who need help with chores, nonprofit organizations that need assistance with fundraising events, parks that need maintaining and much more. Our community needs you now – can you help?