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One year old and going strong….Volunteer Northwest Mississippi, the area’s first volunteer center celebrated its first birthday on Thursday.  Volunteers from throughout the northwest region were invited and shared a birthday cake donated by Sam’s Club.  The volunteer center was established in 2006 as an initiative of the Community Foundation of Northwest Mississippi.  Its mission (as well as the Foundation’s) is to impact communities by connecting people who care with causes that matter.  Volunteering is a cause that matters and there are many individuals, groups, organizations, churches and businesses ready to volunteer time and talent.

 Volunteer Northwest Mississippi operates through an on-line volunteer management system, 1800volunteer.org, part of the Hands-On Network/Points of Light Foundation.   Those interested in volunteering are able to access Volunteer Northwest Mississippi and sign on as a volunteer listing their talents, skills and when they would like to serve.  Non-profits benefit from signing onto Volunteer Northwest Mississippi and listing their opportunities for which people can volunteer.

Crystal McNabb is the Center Coordinator and is located in the office of the Community Foundation in Hernando.  Currently, Volunteer Northwest Mississippi has 81 volunteers and 34 nonprofits signed on.  “This is just a small portion of the people who are potential volunteers”, said Peggy Linton, Community Development Director for the Community Foundation.  “Nationally, 44% of adults volunteer.  Relating that to DeSoto County, that would be 46,601 of the 105,912 adult population (2006 U.S. Census estimate).  What a difference these volunteers could make in the lives of those served through our non-profits.  And that number does not even include the other areas Volunteer Northwest Mississippi serves.”

 The volunteer center is striving to reach every area of the volunteering population; youth, adults, senior citizens and corporate (employee volunteer programs).  An E-Newsletter goes out to volunteers bi-monthly and a new website will soon be launched, www.volunteernwms.org.  Volunteer Northwest Mississippi is serving as the Lead Agency for Global Youth Service Day, a program of Youth Service America.  Six of the DeSoto County high schools will participate in a can food drive in April and will add a unique twist to the service project, CANNED STRUCTURE.  Students will construct an object from can food in a competition.  Schools collecting the most can food will receive a monetary prize as well as the winners of the CANNED STRUCTURE project. 

Volunteer Northwest Mississippi operates under the Board of the Community Foundation and an Advisory Council to the volunteer center.  Members of the Advisory Council work to see that the volunteer center fulfills its mission in the areas served.  Advisory Council members are: Kennette Hill from the Department of Human Services, AJ Jenkins from the City of Horn Lake, Tim Curtis of Emergency Management, Julie Harris from the City of Hernando, Joyce Haslip from the   City of Olive Branch, Jeanne Bailley from the American Red Cross of the Mid-South, Community Volunteer Kyle Cooper and Valeria Morris of Harrah’s Entertainment along with Crystal McNabb, and Peggy Linton of the Community Foundation.

 Disaster Preparedness is also a major priority with the volunteer center.  As disasters occur and families are relocated to shelters, Volunteer Northwest Mississippi is ready to provide a ‘call center’.  Working in coordination with the Red Cross and Emergency Management, Volunteer Northwest Mississippi will send out alerts to volunteers and inform them of needed services. 

To learn more about Volunteer Northwest Mississippi call 662.449.5002 or visit (until the new website is complete)  www.cfnm.org/volunteercenter