St. John’s/St. Ann’s Welcome Table (Soup Kitchen)

When:  Saturday, October 18, 2008
Time:  9:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
Where: St. John’s/St. Ann’s Center is located at 88 4^th Avenue, Albany, NY, 12202. Parking is available at the northeast corner of the intersection of South Pearl Street and 4th Avenue. The church entrance is just east of the parking lot on 4th Avenue, between South Pearl Street and Franklin Street.

Activity: Volunteers are needed to prepare and serve a meal to individuals living in Albany’s South End in conjunction with St. John’s/St. Ann’s Welcome Table Program.  To volunteer, please contact Ann Marsh at (518) 473-2020 or amarsh@mail.nysed.gov.

St. John’s/St. Ann’s Church is a private, not-for-profit organization which has Federal and New York State tax-exempt status.  The Center has served Albany’s South End Neighborhood since 1837 and responds with compassion and care to all their neighbors in need regardless of race, creed, sex, national origin, age, disease, handicap, or lifestyle.

Welcome Table (Soup Kitchen)
The Welcome Table serves a hot meal on Tuesdays and Saturdays between 11:30 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. The Welcome Table doors are open to all who come and seconds are available. No registration or prior reservations are required. Volunteers from area schools, churches, organizations, etc. provide, prepare, and serve the meal. The Welcome Table serves over 14,000 meals each year. This represents an average of 300 meals served on each week the Welcome Table operated.
 

The New York Capital Chapter has been active in community service for many years.  In addition to individual members volunteering their services for a variety of activities, the chapter continues to be dedicated to give back to the community in which the members live.

Last year, the Chapter participated in the various events to help raise funds for several organizations including the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York, Community Hospice, the American Cancer Society, Big Brothers and Big Sisters, Albany Medical Center Children's hospital, and WMHT. In addition, we participated in the IRS's VITA Tax Preparers program and Habitat for Humanity.

     Nicole Van Hoesen (Chair) - 914-466-0850 or nicole.vanhoesen@labor.state.ny.us
     Ann Marsh
     Thalia Melendez
     Deborah Harrington
     Taryn  Davila-Webster
     Laurie Burns    
     Mary Roylance
     Danielle Rancy
     Sharon Siekowski

WMHT Membership Drive

Where:  WMHT Studios, 4 Global View Drive, Troy (Rensselaer Technology Park)
Date:    Saturday, August 2, 2008
When:   5:00 to 11:00pm.  
Who:     AGA members and their family members who are at least 16 years of age.

Membership Campaigns are WMHT’s most visible and effective way of speaking to its television and radio audiences about the value of public broadcasting.  Participation is easy; it takes 15 minutes of training to become a professional! Volunteers answer in-studio telephones and fill out a simple membership form.  Volunteers will also be answering phones and taking votes on the most entertaining British Comedy Olympics episode, shown during the night.  This will be the seventh year the AGA has participated in the live broadcast to answer phones and collect pledges for the station.  Please join us, and as past volunteers will attest, it is fun!  Pizza, cookies, soda and snacks will be provided for all volunteers.  For more information please visit http://www.wmht.org/support/volunteerFAQ.html  or contact Nicole Van Hoesen by Wednesday, July 23 ^rd  to volunteer at nicole.vanhoesen@labor.state.ny.us  or 914-466-0850.

Happy Hour Social to Benefit Trinity Institution in Albany

Please join us for fun and networking opportunities that will benefit the Trinity Institution of Albany.  Trinity Institution-Homer Perkins Center, Inc. is one of the oldest neighborhood-based organizations in the Capital Region, located in the south end of the City of Albany. Trinity has 88 years of experience serving low-income and minority families. Homer Perkins Center, founded in 1992 and located in Arbor Hill, provides intensive residential substance abuse treatment service to men and women with chemical addiction. In 1998, the current corporation was established to provide stronger integrated multi-social service agency, offering various family focused services to the residents of the City and County of Albany.  Details on the social to follow.

Raffle to Benefit Regional Food Bank of Northeastern New York at Fraud Conference.

Since 1982 the Regional Food Bank of Northeastern NY is helping to feed the poor and hungry in our communities.  It is the only organization of its kind in northeastern New York.

Spring-In-January:
Flower Fundraiser

The "Flowers in January" fundraiser benefiting the Liberty Partnership Program at SUNY Albany was great success thanks to the efforts of Nicole Van Hoesen who coordinated and organized the event and all those that accepted orders and purchased flowers.  The Chapter raised $390 to assist Liberty in nurturing and mentoring students academically, personally and socially.  If you would like to find out more about the Liberty Partnership Program, please contact Candi Griffin at 442-3885. Thanks again to everyone who contributed!

Most of these volunteers worked at the Albany Public Library Main Branch on Washington Avenue and although they lost one Saturday due to a snowstorm (St. Patrick's Day), they were still able to do more returns than last year.  Sigrid Coons volunteered at another site and helped the region prepare an estimated record number of returns for VITA.  Thanks again to all the volunteers for providing such a valuable service to the community.

Click here to read a thank you to all VITA volunteers.

Valentines and Cookies to Veterans

Sunday, February 11^th at 1:30 p.m.
Cookie Bake at 35 Forsten Dr., Delmar.

Wednesday, February 14^th  at 12:30 p.m.
Cookie and Valentine Delivery – Stratton V.A. Hospital, Albany

The “Valentines to Veterans” community service event was a great success thanks to the efforts of Tom Boehlert, Karen Cushman, Debbie Harrington, Ann Marsh, Catherine Mogul, and Nancy Varley.  Karen, Debbie and Ann baked the cookies and Girl Scout Troop 722 headed by Catherine Mogul made the valentines that were delivered by Tom, Debbie, Ann, and Nancy to veterans at the Stratton V.A. Medical Hospital.  The veterans greatly appreciated the visit, treats, and heart-warming valentines made possible by everyone who participated.  Thank you!

When: Saturday 4/28         11:30 am – 6:30 pm;   6:00 pm – 12:30 am
            Sunday 4/29           11:30 am – 6:00 pm;  5:30 pm – 11:30 pm
            Monday 4/30            5:30 pm – 11:30 pm
            Tuesday 5/01           5:30 pm – 11:30 pm
            Wednesday 5/02       5:30 pm – 11:30 pm
            Thursday 5/03          5:30 pm – 11:30 pm
            Friday 5/04               5:30 pm – 11:30 pm
            Saturday 5/05          11:30 am – 6:30 pm;  6:00 pm – 12:30 pm
            Sunday 5/06            11:30 pm – 6:00 pm;  5:30 pm – 11:30 pm

Where: The WMHT Studios, Rensselaer Technology Park – Directions Below

Volunteers are expected to remain for the duration of their selected shift.
1)    Please use the front entrance to register and receive instructions.
2)    Please arrive 15 minutes prior to your shift.
3)    Please wear comfortable clothing, but nothing with a company name or logo.
4)    Refreshments will be served during your shift.
5)    Only registered volunteers and staff are permitted at WMHT during the Auction.  We regret that we cannot accommodate guests or children under the age of 16.

Volunteers are essential to the success of the Great TV Auction.  Please consider participating for one or more of the following shifts.  Additional volunteer opportunities are available during weekday hours.  If interested, please contact Ann Marsh at (518) 473-2020 or amarsh@mail.nysed.gov.  Thank you!

Ronald McDonald

The Chapter would like to thank the following volunteers who helped prepare a meal for approximately 24 guests at the Ronald McDonald House in Albany on May 15, 2007.  Those volunteers were Brian Gee, Ann Marsh, Sandra Peragine, Bob Peragine, Shannon Proper, Jim Nellegar, and Sharon Siekowski.  Brian and Jim prepared the main course while Ann, Sandra, Bob, and Shannon prepared side dishes; and to top it off Sharon received two large Cheesecakes from the Cheesecake Factory.  A great meal was provided along with a needed service to our community, and we had fun in the process.