THE SHADE TREE SHELTER CELEBRATES NATIONAL VOLUNTEER WEEK, APRIL 6-13
Individual and Corporate Volunteers Give Back to the Community through Volunteerism and Leadership
The Shade Tree, Southern Nevada’s only 24-hour shelter designed specifically to meet the needs of women and children in crisis, announced today plans to celebrate National Volunteer Week taking place April 6-13, 2014. National Volunteer Week is a time to take action and encourage individuals in their respective communities to be at the center of social change – discovering and demonstrating their collective power to make a difference.
To celebrate locally, The Shade Tree is collaborating with numerous businesses and organizations including Walgreens, Devine Designs Hair and Nails Salon, Women of Summerlin, Coveralls, The Pit and several local Boys and Girl Scout Troops. Throughout the week, the volunteer groups will provide makeovers for the women, catered lunches and dinners, the opportunity to participate in a job fair and the remodeling of several areas within the Shelter. All activities will take place on site at the Shade Tree shelter, located at 1 West Owens.
“The impact that these groups and activities will have on the women and children is immeasurable,” says Marlene Richter, Shade Tree’s Executive Director. “Volunteers are critical to the Shade Tree achieving its mission to provide safe shelter to homeless and abused women and children in crisis. We are grateful to all volunteers who help us serve the 6,000+ women and children who enter our shelter doors each year. Without their support, we would not be able to provide access to services and resources such as employment opportunities, healthcare, education and much more.”
In 2013, over 1,100 volunteers donated their time and talents in support of The Shade Tree. Volunteers can assist with special events such as monthly birthday parties for the children, preparing and serving meals, tutoring children in the Children’s Activity Center, or leading a Life Skills class. For those who are interested in learning more about available volunteer opportunities, or to sign up to volunteer, please visit http://www.theshadetree.org/volunteer.html.
National Volunteer Week, a program of Points of Light, was established in 1974 and has grown exponentially each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week. This year also marks the 40th anniversary of the celebration, demonstrating the enduring importance of recognizing our country’s volunteers. With the fifth anniversary of the Edward M. Kennedy Serve America Act, the creation of the Volunteer Generation Fund and President Obama’s resonant call to serve, this year will be even more inspiring.
About The Shade Tree
For 25 years The Shade Tree, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has been dedicated to improving the lives of women, children and their pets affected by domestic violence and crisis in the Las Vegas valley. As the only organization with an animal shelter on campus, named Noah’s Animal House, The Shade Tree brings families together with their pets and connects them with assistance and services. The Shade Tree is the largest shelter of its kind in Nevada and is the only 24-hour accessible shelter designed specifically to meet the needs of women and children in Southern Nevada. With 364 permanent beds, The Shade Tree provides over 6,000 women and children safe shelter each year. To remove any barrier that might prevent a woman from accessing necessary services for her and her children, 100% of services are provided completely free of charge, regardless of the length of stay. To learn more about how you can support The Shade Tree, please call (702) 385-0072 or visit www.theshadetree.org . For the latest news and events on The Shade Tree follow them at https://www.facebook.com/TheShadeTreeLV or Twitter @ShadeTreeVEGAS.
