“CHILDREN’S AID VOLUNTEERS SPRING INTO SERVICE”

APRIL 2009 – As part of our celebration of National Volunteer Month, Children’s Aid welcomed a slew of volunteers, corporate partners and supporters ready to exhibit their civic pride by participating in several community service projects held citywide… .

Take Your Kids to Work Day – For the second year in a row, our friends at Reader’s Digest sponsored a trip for twenty 8-9 year olds representing our I.S. 190/C.S. 61 school in the Bronx. On April 23rd, students traveled by bus from the school to the Reader’s Digest offices in Pleasantville, NY to participate in several interactive workshops and activities designed to expose them to a variety of careers both within and outside the publishing sector. Matched with a RD employees and placed into groups for the day, our kids had the chance to attend workshops such as “Make a Magazine”, where they worked together to produce their very own publication; sampled a selection of current and new songs as part of the “I-Tunes Music” workshop; and learned the basics of public speaking during the “Toastmasters” class.

After some time getting to know one another during lunch, the groups engaged in several outdoor recreations games, and engaged in their own community service project putting together goody bags filled with games, cards and puzzles for children in need. They concluded the day by receiving a gift bad filled with a collection of different items such as books, music cd’s , and a team picture with everyone in their group.

NYC Community Partnership Day – Since 2006, Novartis has participated in NYC Partnership Day with Children’s Aid’s Taft Daycare, located in East Harlem. This April was no exception as volunteers showed up to spend a few hours working on arts and crafts projects, playing literacy games and reading stories to our preschoolers before the group departed…leaving the kids to a enjoy lunch and a well deserved nap.

Spring into Action Day – On April 25th, Children’s Aid celebrated our 13th Annual Spring into Action Day. Formerly known as Derby Day, this agency staple underwent a few changes, including a name change this past year to better reflect the spirit of the event. We also moved the day back one week so that it lands right within National Volunteer Month and can be included in our other service celebration. Volunteers from companies/groups such as DE Shaw Research Group, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Goldman Sachs, Harvard Alumni, Rapscallion Theatre Collective, Turner Broadcasting, UBS, and United Parcel Service (UPS), participated in a host of service projects held citywide at locations in Harlem, Washington Heights and the Bronx.

This year’s projects involved the creation of several vegetable and herb gardens as part of our GoHealthy program, educating our kids about the benefits of healthy eating. This popular program combines useful information with cooking classes and demonstrations allowing youth to learn first hand how to grow their own food from “Seed to Table”. Volunteers arrived bright and early to get their hands dirty by removing debris and garbage before replacing and adding new topsoil, fertilizer, seeds, herbs, and flowerboxes to the courtyard. Other projects included a large scale community fair and indoor and outdoor mural/painting project; a Health and Wellness Community Fair including nutrition, dance, and yoga classes; and a Community Carnival/Fundraiser featuring outdoor activities, facepainting, and table games. Capped off by delicious celebratory lunches with the kids, it was an absolutely fabulous day for everyone.

We offer our sincerest thanks and gratitude to the volunteers and companies that gave their time and energy towards improving the communities that we serve and look forward to seeing everyone next year!