Outreach - Desert Horizons Women's Club

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Our Community Outreach Program is an umbrella for our contributions to the community through volunteering or charitable donations as well as support for our Women’s Club members who are in need.
For Over 25 Years, Desert Horizons Women’s Club Motto Has Been “Women Helping Women”.

DHWC provides an 'Ambassador' for each of our supported charitable organizations. The Ambassadors are the communication liaisons and will let us know the needs of the charity and what we can do to help (donating / volunteering). Ambassadors can answer members' questions about a volunteering event and may likely assist with event logistics as well.

Upcoming Volunteer Opportunities

Volunteering and Donations

The charities that we support through donations and/or volunteering are listed below with brief descriptions of the organizations and examples of DHWC volunteer activities. Time commitments are relatively short. Some are once a year or some are more regular. There can be something for everyone. Take a peek! Remember how it feels to 'give back'? See if something looks right for you.

In addition to our regular charities, during the year we may also choose to donate to additional organizations that contribute to quality of life in the desert. For example, last year we donated to Palm Desert High School Chorale. They presented a beautiful and heart-felt musical program for our December luncheon. Our donation helped with the expenses associated with their performances. We also donated to Guide Dogs of the Desert after our luncheon speaker gave us a compelling and humorous presentation about the wonderful dogs that they train for the seeing-impaired and how they change lives for the better.

DHWC donates stuffed animals, pajamas, and blankets, towels and sheets for use at the shelter run by SHELTER FROM THE STORM (SFTS). It is the Coachella Valley’s only comprehensive domestic victim’s assistance service and shelter provider for women and their children. Every year our members go ‘over the top’ to make a beautiful experience for mothers and their children in their time of need.

OneFuture’s mission is to enable Coachella Valley students to succeed in college, career and life – expanding and enhancing the local workforce so that our youth and economy thrive. They provide a comprehensive and holistic approach to ensure college and post-secondary education success. We can help support young woman to become successful adults. More information about OneFuture Coachella Valley can be found at: https://www.onefuturecv.org

DHWC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES for OneFuture

Timing: Winter
Event: Preview Student Scholarship Applications (online volunteer opportunity)
- Review scholarship applications for a female student and grade for final award selection
- ·Attend scholarship award ceremony to celebrate scholars and to show community support

Timing: February
Event: The Future Is Ours Award Celebration and Fundraiser
- Secure auction/raffle items for event
- Event logistics - Event set-up, greeters, check-in, set-up, prize runners, event break down
- Sell raffle tickets

Timing: March
Event: Arts, Media, Entertainment Symposium
This event brings the students together with professionals in Arts, Media, and Entertainment
who help them learn about opportunities and professions in this industry, critique
their portfolios and provide mentorship and guidance for future opportunities.
- Student and Presenter Check-in and Greeters ·
- Event logistics (set-up, clean-up, guides, etc.)
- Participate as a session panelist and presenter (based on experience)

Timing: June, July & January
Event: Annual Student Leadership Conference and Mid-Year Summit

The events include motivational speakers, interactive sessions including: Financial Aid advice,
College and Career Planning, Mental Wellness, Volunteering/Internships/Fellowships,
Student/Alumni Mentoring about how to survive and thrive in college, etc.
- Volunteer panelists and presenters needed (based on experience in particular topics)
- Serve as an adult mentor or consultant for female students

Hidden Harvest is a produce recovery program that employs low income farm workers to "rescue" hundreds of thousands pounds of produce that is left behind in the fields and orchards after harvest in the Coachella Valley.

This fresh, nutritious produce reaches nearly 50,000 needy people throughout Coachella Valley. Mothers and children benefit greatly by being able to have produce that they could not otherwise afford.

DHWC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES for HIDDEN HARVEST
- Be a participant in their fundraiser(s) by attending a luncheon / fashion show / auction or other special event
- Assist in the fundraiser logistics - greeter, registration desk, selling raffle tickets, securing auction items

CVRM is a safe haven that has continued to meet the ever growing needs of individuals, who for a variety of reasons, have found themselves without the basic necessities of life. A dedicated staff and volunteers provide shelter to men and women with children.

During the December holidays, DHWC and DHCC donate toys for boys and girls who are being cared for at the mission.

DHWC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES for CVRM
- Offer your front patio as a collection drop-off point for your close-by neighborhood members who are
donating non-wrapped toys

- Help collect the toys from the drop-off locations and assist in delivery of the toys to CVRM

This food bank is an organization that provides food for more than 90 other non-profit agencies including emergency food pantries, soup kitchens, senior centers, after school programs and homeless shelters in the Coachella Valley. At the distribution center, they sort, clean, box and prepare donations for distribution in Indio.

DHWC / FIND VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES

Before you go to their distribution center to volunteer, FIND requires that you register with them for the season and view an orientation video online. Once your account is established and you are ready to plan a volunteer session/shift, you log in to FIND, you are directed to the FIND Food Bank's Volunteer Portal! scroll down to see what shifts are available for that week. You can sign up for a shift whenever you have time - once a week, once a month etc. You control your schedule. You will receive an email confirming the day & time that you will be volunteering. (You can also cancel if necessary through that same email confirmation.)

Here is a DHWC group getting the job done! More information about FIND.

As our local community college, COD offers students a variety of unique programs. We have supported the nursing department for many years. We provide scholarship funds to help a female nursing student who must pick up a number of extra nursing-related expenses on her own (Example: personal stethoscope.)

COD often has events that also could use volunteers and general public support: Nursing Pinning Ceremony and Stethoscope Presentation, Department graduation ceremony and several others.

DHWC VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES for COD
- Review potential applications from nursing students to select our scholarship recipient
- Assistance with event logistics