July Update: CVN Summer Events

CVN Chair's Report CVN has some new events coming up soon: we are partnering with Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) and will assist with backpack stuffing, distributing backpacks, and a family picnic.  Also, the Arlington County Fair is just around the corner and CVN will be helping out again.  So I hope to see some of you volunteering with us and also attending the fair. The leadership team would like to thank those of you who came to the Summer Celebration.  We really appreciate your hard work and we hope that you enjoyed the party! Garry Knobler cvn.chair@gmail.com
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Upcoming CVN Events
Tuckahoe Elementary School Garden - Sunday, July 29th, 2:00-4:00pm | Join CVN at a gardening/landscaping session at Tuckahoe Elementary School. We'll be helping to maintain the diverse natural habitat at this neighborhood school so students can engage in interactive outdoor learning. Whether you're a green thumb or a gardening newbie, you're welcome to come on out! Register here. Arlington County Fair - Saturday, August 11th, 12:00-3:00pm | Join CVN at the Arlington County Fair! CVN volunteers will assist with the t-shirt booth, the shuttle bus drop off ,and provide other general assistance as needed.  Register here. August Meet-up @ Wilson Tavern (Courthouse) – Tuesday, August 14th, 7:00-9:00pm | Join CVN a Wilson Tavern to learn more about our upcoming events and meet fellow volunteers. RSVP here. APAH Family Picnic - Wednesday, August 15th, 5-7pm | Join the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) for a family picnic! This opportunity encourages individuals to work together while getting to know fellow Arlington residents and helping to build community among residents. Register here. Shirlington Jazz Festival - Thursday, August 16th, 6:00-7:15pm, 7:15-8:45pm | CVN is volunteering with the Arlington Food Assistance Center to help with the wine tasting at the Shirlington Jazz Festival. There are two shifts, though volunteers may sign up for both shifts. Register here. APAH Backpack Stuffing - Saturday, August 18th, 10:00am-1:00pm | Join the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) for the backpack stuffing event! A group of volunteers is needed to organize donated school supplies into grade appropriate bags. Register here. ATS Schoolyard Garden – Sunday, August 19th, 2:00-4:00pm | Join us at Arlington Traditional School on Arlington County's Neighborhood Day! We'll have special activities, in addition to our continuing work to transform this schoolyard habitat into a fun space for kids to learn outdoors. Newcomers and regulars are welcome to join us. Register here. APAH Backpack Distribution - Thursday, August 23rd, 5:30pm-7:30pm | Join the Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing (APAH) for the backpack distribution event! We provide over 250 backpacks to children in low to mid income families to help them start the new school year with all their supplies. Register here. Check out CVN's calendar or browse other volunteering opportunities in Arlington.
Community Calendar
Weed Warriors Needed to Rescue Arlington House Woodlands - Saturday, July 28, 9:30am - 11:30am | More details. Fairfax County 4H Fair - Saturday, August 4, 9:00am - 9:00pm | More details. Back to School Shopping Spree - Washington DC - Tuesday August 7th, 8am - 11am | More details.

Summer Celebration & July 4th Volunteering

Save the Date! 2012 Summer Celebration – July 10th

Every year in July, CVN volunteers and supporters come together for our annual Summer Celebration. The celebration is our chance to say thank you for all of the hard work you've done over the past year and to gear up for upcoming events. Whether you volunteer on a regular basis or are looking to find out more, we want to see you there!

This year, the Summer Celebration will take place on Tuesday, July 10th, at Whitlow's from 7-9pm. With door prizes, free food (including cake), and more, it's an event not to be missed! Click here to RSVP on Facebook.

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We'd also love to have your help at the following event:

County's July 4th Celebration - Wednesday, July 4th, 12:00-3:30pm and 3:30-7pm | On July 4th, Arlington County will host a huge celebration at the new Long Bridge Park. Festivities include games and activities for children, arts and crafts vendors, fireworks, and more! CVN volunteers will held lead games and ensure that everyone is having fun. Register here for either shift.

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Tiffany, CVN Liaison

June Events & Meetup

CVN Chair's Report I hope everyone enjoyed their holiday weekend!  A number of events for June have recently been added to our calendar, so please take a look at the various opportunities.  Also, take a look at the updated thermometer in this e-mail, which shows that we are on schedule to break 1,000 volunteer hours! I'd like to thank everyone who has volunteered with us recently.  We are getting great turnout at our volunteer events and we have received a lot of positive feedback from the individuals who have reached out to CVN! Garry Knobler cvn.chair@gmail.com
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Upcoming CVN Events
Tuckahoe Elementary School Garden - Sunday, June 3rd, 2:00-4:00pm | Join CVN at a gardening/landscaping session at Tuckahoe Elementary School on Sun, May 6, 2-4pm. We'll be helping to maintain the diverse natural habitat at this neighborhood school so students can engage in interactive outdoor learning. Whether you're a green thumb or a gardening newbie, you're welcome to come on out! Register here. Gardening at Arlington Traditional School – Sunday, June 10th, 2:00-4:00pm | Join us at Arlington Traditional School on Arlington County's Neighborhood Day! We'll have special activities, in addition to our continuing work to transform this schoolyard habitat into a fun space for kids to learn outdoors. Newcomers and regulars are welcome to join us. Register here. June Meet-up @ Continental Modern Pool Lounge (Rosslyn) – Tuesday, June 12th, 7:00-9:00pm | Join CVN at Continental to learn more about our upcoming events and meet fellow volunteers. RSVP here. Relay for Life of Arlington - Saturday, June 16th, 1:00-5:00pm | Relay For Life is a team event to fight cancer and represents the signature fundraiser of the American Cancer Society, and is typically an overnight event where teams of 8-15 people join together and take turns running or walking around a track. CVN will be helping out with set-up and registration from 1 - 5pm. Register here. ACE Summer Solstice Special - Thursday, June 21, 6:30-8:30pm | Join us to celebrate the start of summer and long daylight hours. We'll have several service project options including trash and invasive removal. Refreshments will be available. We'll meet by the playground next to the parking garage. Be sure to wear clothes you don't mind getting dirty and/or wet. Register here. Check out CVN's calendar or browse other volunteering opportunities in Arlington.
Community Calendar
AFAC Annual Volunteer Appreciation Picnic - Sunday, June 3rd, 5:00-7:00pm | More details. Helping Yourself While Helping Others: the Benefits of Volunteering - Wednesday, June 6th, 6:00-7:00pm | More details. MS Society: BIKE MS 2012: Ride the Riverside Event Volunteers - Sunday, June 10, 6:00am - 2:00pm | More details. Columbia Pike Blues Fesitval - Saturday, June 16th, 1:00-8:00pm | More details.
Volunteer Photos

May Meet-up & New Events

CVN Chair's Report Spring is in full bloom and CVN is working hard to get to our goal of 1,000 volunteer hours for the year! Bikes for the World was a success for our goal as we had a big turnout and we collected a large number of bikes. The "Carnival" Spring Dance was also a great event. The Therapeutic Department was incredibly appreciative of our help and all volunteers had a good time. Also, there are 2 upcoming events which need more volunteers: the morning shift of setting up the ACF Gala on April 28th and the Removal Invasive Plant Day on May 5th. I hope some of you can make it to one of these events! Garry Knobler cvn.chair@gmail.com
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Upcoming CVN Events
Arlington Community Foundation Gala - Saturday, April 28th, 9:00am-noon | The Arlington Community Foundation has requested that CVN volunteers help prepare for their annual Gala. Volunteers are needed to help set up for the Gala by unpacking and setting up decorations and silent auction items. Register here. Virginia Removal Invasive Plant Day - Saturday, May 5th, 2:00-4:00pm | CVN will be assisting the Gulf Branch Nature Center on May 5 for the Virginia Invasive Plant Removal Day. Our work will aid in the steady recovery and return of healthy trees, wildflowers, and wildlife to the area. Register here. Tuckahoe Elementary School Garden - Sunday, May 6, 2:00-4:00pm | Join CVN at a gardening/landscaping session at Tuckahoe Elementary School. We'll be helping to maintain the diverse natural habitat at this neighborhood school so students can engage in interactive outdoor learning. Whether you're a green thumb or a gardening newbie, you're welcome to come on out! Register here. May Meet-up @ Rio Grande (Uncle Julio's) (Ballston) - Tuesday, May 8th, 7:00-9:00pm | Join CVN at Rio Grande (Uncle Julio's) to learn more about our upcoming events and meet fellow volunteers. RSVP here. Neighborhood Day at ATS Garden - Saturday, May 12th, 9:00am-12:00pm | Join us at Arlington Traditional School on Arlington County's Neighborhood Day while we continue working to transform this schoolyard habitat into a fun space for kids to learn outdoors. Newcomers and regulars are welcome to join us. Register here. AFAC Letter Carriers Food Drive - Saturday, May 12th, 2:00-4:00pm | The Letter Carriers Food Drive is the second largest food drive that benefits the Arlington Food Assistance Center (AFAC) each year. Volunteers are needed at AFAC's main site to help unload and sort donations. Volunteers should be able to lift 10-20 pounds, and stand on a concrete floor for a couple of hours Register here. Check out CVN's calendar or browse other volunteering opportunities in Arlington.
Community Calendar
5K Walk to End Violence Against Women -  Saturday, April 28th, 8:30am-12:30pm, more details Bicycle Advisory Committee Meeting -  Monday, May 7, 7:00-9:00pm, more details Arlington Free Clinic Night at Whitlow's on Wilson -  Wednesday, May 9, 6:30-9:30pm, more details

April Meet-up & Events

CVN Chair's Report This Spring has had great weather, so we hope it stays this way so that we can reach our goal of 1,000 volunteer hours for the year! For those of you new to CVN, I hope you can attend the meet-up next week and attend one of our volunteer events soon! Also we need a new CVN Tuckahoe Volunteer Coordinator. Ideally sessions would continue once a month, excluding during the winter months. If you want to help a successful instructional garden project move forward and meet new people in the process, this position is for you. If you are interested in leading this event, e-mail Michael Manning. I'd like to thank Michael for doing a fantastic job leading this recurring event! Garry Knobler cvn.chair@gmail.com
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Upcoming CVN Events
Bikes for the World Recycling - Saturday, April 7th, 12:30-3:30pm | CVN will be assisting Bikes for the World with a multi-commodity recycling and reuse event sponsored by Arlington County. We will be managing the bike donation area—issuing receipts, helping people get the bikes out of their vehicles, and prepping the bikes. CVN will be hosting this event from 12:30 to 3:30 pm, though CVN volunteers can also participate in all or part of the earlier shift from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Register here. April Meet-up @ Mad Rose Tavern (Clarendon) – Tuesday, April 10th, 7:00-9:00pm | Join CVN at Mad Rose Tavern to learn more about our upcoming events and meet fellow volunteers RSVP here. "Carnival" Spring Dance with Therapeutic Recreation - Saturday, April 14th, 6:00-10:00pm | CVN will help Arlington County's Therapeutic Recreation Office with their annual spring dance. This year's event has a carnival theme so in addition to helping set up, decorate, and cleanup, we'll lead carnival-related activities during the event. This event, for adults with disabilities only, will feature games, music, food, a photo booth, and art activity. Register here. ATS Schoolyard Garden - Sunday, April 15th, 2:00-4:00pm | Lend a hand with the monthly crew of CVN volunteers helping out in the garden at Arlington Traditional School. Newcomers and regulars are welcome to join us for landscaping projects large and small. This crew is continuing to transform the ATS garden into a fun space for kids to learn outdoors. Register here. Reorganize Columbia Pike's Library Collection - Sunday, April 22nd and April 29th, 1:30-4:30pm | CVN has been asked to help the Columbia Pike Branch Library shift around its collection to make better use of space and to make the collection easier for people to use.  The results of our work will help community members find books and DVDs of interest that they might not see otherwise. We will complete this task over two weekends, but you do not have to participate in both shifts. Register here. Arlington Community Foundation Gala - Saturday, April 28th, 9:00am-noon | The Arlington Community Foundation has requested that CVN volunteers help prepare for their annual Gala. Volunteers are needed to help set up for the Gala by unpacking and setting up decorations and silent auction items. Register here. Check out CVN's calendar or browse other volunteering opportunities in Arlington.
Community Calendar
Dine for a Cause (AFAC) - Monday, April 9th, 11:00am-midnight, more details Committee of 100-  Wednesday, April 11th, 7:00-9:00pm, more details Arlington Earth Week Community Fair at Mason Arlington- Sunday, April 22nd, 12:00-3:00 pm, more details

Spring Events & More

CVN Chair's Report CVN was busy during the first the first half of March. In particular, Ice Skating Night was a huge success. It was a fun and rewarding night for both CVN and for the Therapeutic Recreation Department (check out the pictures at the bottom of the e-mail). A number of outdoor events in April have recently been added to our calendar. Since part of CVN's mission is to develop leaders, the leadership team is encouraging fellow CVNers to lead an upcoming event. If there is an event or organization that you'd like to have CVN participate in, please let us know. Also, there is a leaders group and anyone interested in leading events can join. Joining the group doesn't commit you to leading an event. The goal is to expose people to opportunities and hopefully match volunteer leaders with an event, organization, or activity that they are interested in. To find out more, click here. Garry Knoblercvn.chair@gmail.com
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Upcoming CVN Events
Easter Egg Hunt Assistants – Wednesday, March 28th, 5:30-7:30pm | CVN will be bringing a fun community event to the families living in Columbia Grove Apartments...an Easter Egg Hunt! Volunteers are needed to help with the set up, implementation, and clean up for the event. Come on out and help stuff the eggs, hide the eggs, and even run some arts and crafts for the children. Register here. Tuckahoe Elementary Garden - Sunday, April 1st, 2:00-4:00pm | Join CVN at a gardening/landscaping session at Tuckahoe Elementary School. We'll be helping to maintain the diverse natural habitat at this neighborhood school so students can engage in interactive outdoor learning. Whether you're a green thumb or a gardening newbie, you're welcome to come on out! Register here. Bikes for the World Recycling - Saturday, April 7th, 12:30-3:30pm | CVN will be assisting Bikes for the World with a multi-commodity recycling and reuse event sponsored by Arlington County. We will be managing the bike donation area—issuing receipts, helping people get the bikes out of their vehicles, and prepping the bikes. CVN will be hosting this event from 12:30 pm to 3:30 pm, though CVN volunteers can also participate in all or part of the earlier shift from 8:30 am to 12:30 pm. Register here. April Meet-up @ Mad Rose Tavern (Clarendon) – Tuesday, April 10th, 7:00-9:00pm | Join CVN at Mad Rose Tavern to learn more about our upcoming events and meet fellow volunteers RSVP here. "Carnival" Spring Dance with Therapeutic Recreation - Saturday, April 14th, 6:00-10:00pm | CVN will help Arlington County's Therapeutic Recreation Office with their annual spring dance. This year's event has a carnival theme so in addition to helping set up, decorate, and cleanup, we'll lead carnival-related activities during the event. This event, for adults with disabilities only, will feature games, music, food, a photo booth, and art activity. Register here. ATS Schoolyard Garden - Sunday, April 15th, 2:00-4:00pm | Lend a hand with the monthly crew of CVN volunteers helping out in the garden at Arlington Traditional School. Newcomers and regulars are welcome to join us for landscaping projects large and small. This crew is continuing to transform the ATS garden into a fun space for kids to learn outdoors. Register here. Reorganize Columbia Pike's Library Collection - Sunday April 22nd and April 29th, 1:30-4:30pm | CVN has been asked to help the Columbia Pike Branch Library shift around its collection to make better use of space and to make the collection easier for people to use.  The results of our work will help community members find books and DVDs of interest that they might not see otherwise. We will complete this task over two weekends, but you do not have to participate in both shifts. Register here. Check out CVN's calendar or browse other volunteering opportunities in Arlington.
Community Calendar
Reading - A Family Affair (Literacy Council of Northern Virginia) - Saturday, March 24th, 9:30am-2:30pm, more details Victory Toss Cornhole Tournament (A-SPAN) -  Sunday, March 25th, 12:00-4:00pm, more details Hunger is No Joke (AFAC Young Professionals) - Friday, March 30th, 8:00-10:00pm, more details
The Month in Pictures
From the CVN Forum
CVN Event Leaders' Group Part of CVN's mission is to create a positive difference in Arlington by developing leaders. To help promote leadership and provide more access to leadership opportunities we have created a new group to match leaders with volunteer events. Anyone interested in leading events can join. Joining the group doesn't commit you to leading an event. The goal is to expose people to opportunities and hopefully match volunteer leaders with an event, organization or activity that they are interested in. CVN's past experiences have found that a key factor in a successful volunteer event is a leader who is passionate about the activity. CVN will use the group to send out information about potential volunteer events. We will post all the information we have on the event, such as a description of the event, information about the group we would be volunteering with, location, and date and time or potential dates if it is a flexible opportunity. If you are interested in leading an event just reply that you are interested and we will put you in touch with the contact for the group that we will volunteer with. Don't worry if you have never led an event before, we will work with you to get all the information and tools you need to run a successful volunteer event!  If you are interested in joining please click here and then click on "join group." If you have any questions please email CVN.Chair@gmail.com.

CVN's March Events

Message from the Chair Spring is just around the corner and we have several upcoming volunteering opportunities, so I hope to see you at an event soon! Last month Tuckahoe gardening resumed and this month gardening returns at the Arlington Traditional School (ATS). If you haven't been to a CVN event before, these recurring gardening events are great events and they both usually attract a good crowd. Also, Family Ice Skate Night with the Department of Therapeutic Recreation is a very fun and rewarding event. So if you enjoy skating, I encourage you to sign up! Also, last month I told you about PLACE, the civic engagement initiative led by the County Board. The open house events are coming up on March 15th and 17th. I'll be attending the 7:30 pm session on March 15th and would love to have fellow CVNers join me. I look forward to seeing you next Tuesday at Sine or at the PLACE open house! Garry Knobler cvn.chair@gmail.com
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Upcoming CVN Events
March Monthly Meetup @ Sine (Pentagon City) – Tuesday, March 13th, 7:00 - 9:00pm | Join CVN at Sine in the Pentagon Row shopping center to learn more about our upcoming events and meet fellow volunteers. RSVP here. Family Ice Skate Night- Friday, March 16th, 6:00 - 8:30pm | For the third year, CVN will be volunteering at the Arlington County Therapeutic Recreation Office's Family Ice Skate Night at Kettler Iceplex. The ice skate night is an opportunity for individuals with disabilities and their families to have some fun with the whole rink to themselves. For the past two years, this event has filled up quickly and it's always a lot of fun! Register here. Leadership Arlington Monte Carlo Night Fundraiser - Saturday, March 17th, 10:00am - 2:00pm and 7:00 - 11:00pm |  This fundraiser raises money for the Leadership Arlington Youth Program. In the first shift, CVN will assist by setting up and preparing for the event. The second shifts will involve greeting guests, helping at the registration table, and assisting at the silent auction tables. Register here. ATS Schoolyard Garden - Sunday, March 18th, 2:00 - 4:00pm | Lend a hand with the monthly crew of CVN volunteers helping out in the garden at Arlington Traditional School. Newcomers and regulars are welcome to join us for landscaping projects large and small. This crew is continuing to transform the ATS garden into a fun space for kids to learn outdoors. Register here. Bikes for the World Recycling - Saturday, April 7th, 12:30 - 3:30pm | CVN will be assisting Bikes for the World with a multi-commodity recycling and reuse event sponsored by Arlington County. We will be managing the bike donation area—issuing receipts, helping people get the bikes out of their vehicles, and prepping the bikes.  CVN will be hosting this event from 12:30 to 3:30pm, though CVN volunteers can participate in all or part of the earlier shift from 8:30am to 12:30pm. Please email cvn.m.volunteering@gmail.com if you prefer the earlier shift. Register here. Check out CVN's calendar or browse other volunteering opportunities in Arlington.
Community Calendar
Volunteer Arlington's Volunteer Open House - Monday, March 12th, 6:30 - 8:00pm  | more details PLACE - Civic Engagement Open House- Thursday, March 15th, 6:00 - 9:00pm and Saturday, March 17th, 9:00am - 1:00pm | Registration required. | more details Grab a Book, Make a Connection - Sunday, March 18th, 6:00 - 7:30pm  | more details