Dear Friends and Partners,
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 this past month and what we have in store over this next quarter.
2020 Annual Report
Volunteer Florida is proud to present our 2020 Annual Report which may be viewed by clicking here. 2020 was a tremendous year for our agency and I am so thankful for all of the partners that helped us #ServeFL.
MLK Day of Service
On January 18, I had the honor of speaking with City Year Jacksonville and City Year Orlando via Zoom as they kicked off their joint day of service. Many of our AmeriCorps programs celebrated the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a day of service.
Thank you to all those who celebrated this ‘day on, not off’ across Florida and our nation.
Suits for Session
In March, Volunteer Florida will host the sixth annual Suits for Session service project in front of City Hall in downtown Tallahassee. Suits for Session engages legislators and staff, 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 300 South Adams Street with donations on Wednesday, March 24 from 8 am to 5 pm (ET). Click here to watch a highlight video from last year’s Suits for Session event.
Volunteer Connect
Launched in partnership with First Lady Casey DeSantis, Volunteer Connect provides a one-stop platform for Floridians to engage in community service with 501(c)(3) organizations and governmental entities that work with volunteers. The platform was created for organizations to register, train and post opportunities. Click here to learn more or to find an opportunity in your community today!
Black History Month
Volunteer Florida is honored to join First Lady Casey DeSantis in the state’s Black History Month celebration, which includes the annual student contest and educator award.
Art and essay contests are based on the theme “Community Champions – Celebrating the Contributions of African Americans in Florida’s Communities,” recognizing the African Americans in Florida who have contributed to their community in a meaningful way. While all winners will receive a prize, students who win the essay contest will earn a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation!
Students, parents, teachers and administrators are also encouraged to nominate full-time educators in Florida elementary, middle and high schools for the Excellence in Education Award.
The deadline to enter is Friday, February 26, 2021.
For more information, please visit www.floridablackhistory.com.
Volunteer Florida thanks Florida Prepaid College Foundation and The Florida Lottery for sponsoring the 2021 Black History Month Contests.
AmeriCorps Funding Opportunity
Bring the power of AmeriCorps to your community! Submit a proposal for our 2021-2022 AmeriCorps formula funding request by Monday, March 8 at 5 pm (ET). To view the RFP and application instructions, please click here.
Thank you for your support of Volunteer Florida. We look forward to working with each and every one of you as we #ServeFL this year!
Yours in Service,
Corey Simon
Chief Executive Officer
Volunteer Florida