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For the past nine years the Sunrise Optimist Club of Alexandria has teamed up the youth department at the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau to recognize deserving teens who are committed to giving back to their community through volunteerism. This year three Alexandria teens were rewarded and recognized during a breakfast reception in their honor. They were also given a $200 savings bond provided for by the members of the Optimist Club. The three outstanding winners are: Maryam Sajjad nominated by Madelyn Turner, Christopher Ejiofor nominated Jacqueline Coachman and Ryan Bailey nominated by Gayle Reuter. Maryam Sajjad is a very outgoing, determined West Potomac Senior. She has challenged herself throughout high school with difficult college preparatory, advanced placement and honors classes and has accelerated her graduation by completing all of her coursework in only three years. Christopher Ejiofor is an active participant in the Project Discovery Program, where he has provided leadership to several community service initiatives, including an Earth Day event, a number of forums, and the Project Discovery garden. For at least two hours every Sunday, Chris can be found at his church operating technical equipment for the Children’s Ministry. He is also a leader in his youth group, which plans and sponors events for middle school and high school students. Chris is a member of the Alexandria Youth Council (AYC) where he currently serves as Financial Secretary. In addition to his many commitments, Chris also volunteers as a tutor at Kumon of Alexandria. Chris has many special qualities and characteristics that set him apart, including a gentle spirit and a quiet-but ever-present strength. Chris will be moving to Texas this summer and we wish him the very best of luck as he adjusts to his new home. For more than the last 10 years, if there was an event taking place in Del Ray, Ryan Bailey has helped to make it possible. Activities that Ryan volunteers for every year include, the Halloween Parade, Art on the Ave, the Turkey Trot, decorating the Avenue for the holidays, the holiday Tree Lighting and Luminaries, and Cinema Del Ray. Ryan not only volunteers on the day of the events, but attends the organizational meetings and wrap-up meetings. Ryan’s dedication is so sincere and so deep, no matter how difficult the situation is, Ryan is always there. Additional volunteer activities include serving meals at Carpenter’s Shelter, planting flowers along the tree wells on Mt. Vernon Avenue, helping with Alexandria Rebuilding Together and volunteering at events for Community Partners for Children. Ryan has also been active in volunteering for his church, Del Ray Methodist, where he has helped with collections for Rising Hope and with ground maintenance. One of Ryan’s most personal involvements is with Kelly Cares where he has helped raise thousands of dollars for its cause along with volunteering for Best Buddies. Ryan has been an active member in his community for the past ten years and has given thousands of volunteer hours to the City of Alexandria. These are all extremely talented teens and the Volunteer Bureau would like to thank them for all their hard work. We would also like to thank the Sunrise Optimist Club for helping us recognize this spectacular group of Alexandria Youth. Click Here for the 2007 winners
For a downloadable version of the Alexandria Volunteer Bureau’s Youth Volunteer Guide, click here. In recent years, there have been more efforts to involve youth in service learning projects in our community, including curriculum and programs in the local schools. Our goal is to strengthen the value of volunteerism among youth in our community through education and placement.
What is a volunteer? A volunteer is anyone who: gives of his or her time and talent by choice, does a good deed for free or helps others in the community
Why should I volunteer? To help other people
Youth Volunteer Opportunities
Alexandria Community Services Board Needs: Fun, creative volunteers to serve as activity leaders. Participate in activities and supervise a small group of children while their parents are in English classes.
Literacy Council of Northern Virginia Needs: Gift wrapper to help wrap purchases at local Barnes and Noble and Borders book stores. Starting in early December and running up until Christmas Eve. All supplies are provided by the book store.
American Red Cross Needs: Volunteers to make weekly social visits to homebound elderly people living in the city of Alexandria. Activities and levels of volunteers differ depending on age and time commitment.
Campagna Center’s Campagna Kids Program Needs: Assistance with recreational activities including indoor/outdoor sports, homework, computers, arts & crafts, snack time, and/or enrichment activities such as art, music, dance and/or theatre.
Computer Core Needs: Teaching Assistant to help teach CORE curriculum and work one-on-one with students who have missed classes. Needs to have knowledge of Microsoft Windows and Microsoft Office.
The Holiday Project of the National Capital Area Needs: People to visit nursing homes on or around a major holiday. Help arrange the visit by contacting the nursing home, setting up details of the visit and inviting others to attend.
Look Again Resale Shop for the Prevention of Blindness Needs: Assist customers, work the register, help store manager, stock and price donations and keep the store orderly.
Jerome”Buddie” Ford Nature Center Needs: Feed animals and clean their cages and other related duties as required. If you are interested in learning more about youth volunteer opportunities please contact Courtney Bishop at cbishop@alexandriavolunteerbureau.org.
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