Dear Partners and Friends,
Happy new year! I hope this year has been as exciting for you and your organization as it has been for the team at Volunteer Florida. I invite you to keep reading to learn more about what our organization has been doing over these past few weeks and what we have in store over this next quarter.
2019 Annual Report
Volunteer Florida is proud to present our 2019 Annual Report which may be viewed by clicking here. 2019 was a tremendous year for our agency and I am so thankful for all of the partners that helped us #serveFL.
Excellence in Volunteerism Award
In January, I had the opportunity to award our agency’s first Excellence in Volunteerism award of the year to Mr. Matt Hutchins at the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations’ Legislative and Education Leadership Luncheon. Matt has served as a board member with the Clay Education Foundation for the past 8 years where he has led the organization to success and built long-term sustainability.
MLK Day of Service
On January 20, I had the honor of celebrating the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through a day of service in Miami with our AmeriCorps programs, City Year Miami and Branches.
Thank you to all those who celebrated this ‘day on, not off’ across Florida and our nation.
AmeriCorps 25th Anniversary Reception
Over the past year, our agency has celebrated 25 years of AmeriCorps and the thousands of members who have served and will continue to serve our state.
Last month, we had the opportunity to host a reception in Tallahassee celebrating this monumental milestone. We were thrilled to be joined by CFO Jimmy Patronis, Director of AmeriCorps State and National Chester Spellman, Commissioners and Foundation Board members and partners on this special evening.
This past fall, we further celebrated the 25th Anniversary of AmeriCorps with a service day in Panama City. Click here to watch a highlight video that features our staff, AmeriCorps members, Commissioners and Foundation Board members rebuilding a home which was damaged during Hurricane Michael.
Suits for Session
This month, Volunteer Florida and Uber will host the fifth annual Suits for Session service project at the Florida Capitol. Suits for Session engages legislators and staff, state agency employees and other local professionals and residents to collect new or gently-worn business attire to help prepare job-seekers in need in our state.
Individuals who are interested in participating are encouraged to stop by the Capitol on Tuesday, February 25 from 9 am to 5 pm (ET), drop-off at Volunteer Florida or one of the participating agencies. Click here to watch a highlight video from last year’s event.
AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity
Bring the power of AmeriCorps to your community! Submit a proposal for our 2020-2021 AmeriCorps formula funding request by Friday, March 6 at 5 pm (ET). To view the RFP and application instructions, please click here.
Florida Volunteer Month
April is Florida Volunteer Month. How will you celebrate? Stay tuned for more information about how our agency will be celebrating this special month through our annual #VF30in30 campaign and through our new volunteer opportunities platform, Volunteer Connect.
Thank you for your support of Volunteer Florida. We look forward to working with each and everyone of you as we #serveFL this year!
Clay Ingram
Chief Executive Officer
Volunteer Florida