Volunteer Opportunities	Print Issue
March 17, 2009, Volume 55, No. 25

Penn Volunteers In Public Service posts a list of volunteer opportunities for the Penn community to become involved in. These opportunities are developed from the many requests we receive for partnerships and assistance from the local community. During the past holidays, the Penn community showed their generosity by providing much needed support to members of our surrounding community. Many benefited from your willingness to give. The following is a list of the various holiday efforts:

Thank you to President Amy Gutmann for hosting an Annual Holiday Party and to Business Services for their collection of toys and gifts for Councilwoman Jannie Blackwell’s Holiday Party for the Homeless.

Thank you to the following departments for providing toys and gifts for deserving West Philadelphia families during the holidays by “adopting” them:

Arts & Sciences coordinated by Jennifer Shepard

Cardiovascular Institute coordinated by Carolyn Phillips

Center for Bioethics coordinated by Robin Hartley

Endocrine Division, School of Medicine coordinated by Tom Hoffman

General Counsel coordinated by Helen Logan

Gift Planning and International Gifts coordinated by Lynn Ierardi

Housing and Conference Services coordinated by Katrina Terrell

Penn Publication Services coordinated by Aiasha B. Saalim Graham

Perelman Quadrangle coordinated by Kristine Werez

Radiology Department, Ultrasound Section coordinated by Bernadette Chester

University Communications coordinated by Heather A. Davis

Vice President for Government, Community & Public Affairs coordinated by Linda Satchell

Wharton External Affairs coordinated by Genevieve Sherick

Wharton School Dean’s Office coordinated Jennifer O’Keefe

Wharton Marketing coordinated by Eliza Coviello

Wharton School Publishing coordinated by Teresa Regan and family

Special thanks to Helen Logan and the Office of the General Counsel, Lauren Oshana and the Office of Research Services, and MaryAnn Piccolo in the Comptroller’s Office for the additional assistance they provided to insure that many more families enjoyed the holiday.

Thank you to the Dropsite Volunteers who collected all the gifts and toys and made it possible for us to respond to request for donations from our neighbors listed below:

Thanks to Amy Forsyth and Vivian Hasiuk for coordinating the Annual Coat Drive. This year, our Penn Coat Drive benefited the Anna Howard Shaw Middle School Home and School Association and the Greater Philadelphia Cares Coat Drive.

Please contact me via e-mail, sammapp@pobox.upenn.edu or call (215) 898-2020 to volunteer for any of the programs. The University community continues to work towards being good neighbors in our shared community. We thank you for your overwhelming support and for your generosity.

—Isabel Mapp, Associate Director, Netter Center for Community Partnerships

PENN VIPS Annual Penny Drive: Through March 19

Each year, Penn VIPS hosts an annual change drive to benefit small local nonprofits in the surrounding area. This year, the Dropsite Committee will donate the funds to Tariro Mupombwa, a very special Penn student working on a project to help members of her community. Thank you in advance for your generosity. Please visit www.philly.com/philly/news/local/20090217_Penn_student_collecting_sewing_machines_for_Zimbabwe.html to read her story. Please take your change to the following drop sites:

Join the Penn VIPS Scholarship Committee! Help plan the 18th Annual Penn VIPS Scholarship Program where we select and honor outstanding students from Bartram, Parkway, Overbrook, University City, Sayre and West Philadelphia high schools. Committee selects awardees, plans a reception to be held at the Sheraton and provides winners with up to $1,000 non-tuition scholarships. Planning is underway for June’s program.

Help save Philadelphia’s working families thousands of dollars this tax season! Your efforts can help put more money in the pockets of those who need it most. This year more than ever we need the help of volunteers. Low-income working families are hit the hardest in these rough economic times. You can help bring $51,000 in tax returns to Philadelphia households by joining our effort to provide free tax preparation services. No experience necessary; we will train you to become a certified IRS tax preparer or to support our professional services as a greeter or benefits screener. To volunteer with The Campaign for Working Families visit www.phillyfreetaxes.org.