WFHB

It all started when Danyele tagged along with a friend to an adoption event for Our Lil’ Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue and Sanctuary a few years ago. The dedication of the volunteers and the need that she saw drew her in immediately. She knows that it is impossible to save every dog, but she has seen the difference that time, love, and a little care can make to an animal who has not had those things in their life. Because the dogs served by OLBH are housed in foster homes and at the Animal Sanctuary property in Poland, IN, Danyele chooses to do most of her volunteering remotely. She currently coordinates fundraising events for the southern part of the state (OLBH rescues from several counties) and helps update the Our Lil’ Bit of Heaven website and social media from her home. She still gets out to the Sanctuary for work days on occasion and to adoption events to meet the dogs.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION Our Lil’ Bit of Heaven Animal Rescue & Sanctuary    

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Donna and Otto Ray didn’t ever expect that they would find themselves behind the scenes as volunteers supporting songwriters in Bloomington. They don’t write songs and only dabbled in playing music. It was a twist of fate and the close connections that Bloomington provides that brought them together four years ago as a couple. Soon, their shared love of original music guided their involvement as a couple to become the hosts of the weekly Songwriter’s Showcase at Bear’s Place. As Otto says, “at Bear’s Place on Tuesday nights, magic happens”. Both Donna and Otto didn’t want to take that magic for granted and decided to find a way to support the Songwriter’s Showcase not just with their time, but financially as well, so that it could continue to thrive. They recently created the Friends of Live Music Fund as a part of the Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington in hopes that it will build the resources to continue to support live music in Bloomington. To learn more about or contribute to the fund go to www.bloomingtonarts.org/friends-of-live-music-fund.html. 

FEATURED ORGANIZATION

Arts Alliance of Greater Bloomington

Friends of Live Music Fund  

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

When Melinda Swenson retired as a nurse practitioner and instructor after 32 years in those positions, she looked around for a way that she could continue to contribute her knowledge and skills as a volunteer. Discovering the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic was the perfect match for Melinda’s need to continue caring for individuals and to contribute to Bloomington as a compassionate community. Melinda is excited to continue her service to the VIM Clinic in the role of a nurse practitioner for those who have barriers to healthcare and to be a part of a team of practitioners and administrative volunteers who are committed to prioritizing their patient’s needs. She is energized by her service and inspired by the people she engages with during her time at VIM. 

FEATURED ORGANIZATION
Volunteers in Medicine of Monroe County (VIM)

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Laura Walter saw the opportunity to assist others with their annual struggle to get heir taxes done as a simple solution to a very complex problem. She first came to the United Way Community Tax Service just like anyone else – as someone with some anxieties about being able to complete their annual taxes correctly. What appealed to her was the challenge of learning the process and the basic tax code and sharing that knowledge to help others. What revealed itself to her through her three seasons as a “Tax Hero” for the program, is that in many cases, her service is about more than taxes. It is about being a listening ear for those using the service to share what has happened to them in the past year. Sometimes that included death or divorce or the addition of a child. These all come out in stories of struggles and achievements that people experience. Laura embraces her role of providing a comfortable space for people to express their stories and to assist them in getting their taxes done without anxiety. More information about the United Way Community Tax Service and how to become a volunteer is available on the Volunteer Network website http://bit.ly/BeATaxHero.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION

FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY LINKS

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Jim Rusie’s ethic for service runs deep in his family tree. Giving back was something that his mother instilled in him, his children, and grandchildren from an early age by example. She has won numerous awards for her service in the Martinsville community. Jim has continued his own service by taking a leadership role in the Area 10 Food Pantry program through the First Presbyterian Church in downtown Bloomington. The program was a perfect fit for the church and for Jim, who, 14 years ago, were both looking for a new way to engage and support those in need in Bloomington. Now as a retiree himself, helping to bring food to low-income seniors has been a way to gain perspective, gratitude, and compassion for those who struggle to make ends meet in their senior years. Jim’s mother, now at 100 years old, continues to be an inspiration for Jim’s service in his community.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Jenn Harmless looked around and didn’t like what she saw. About 5 years ago, she noticed an increase in dehumanizing rhetoric aimed at Muslims and other populations. Jenn decided that she needed to find a way to counteract the increase in hate speech that was happening nationwide. Together with a few friends, she founded We Are You, a nonprofit whose primary goals are to counteract stereotypes and help to “re-humanize” those who have been dehumanized. They aim to do this through emotional statements that will trigger compassion, and through live face to face meetups where participants can connect with people who have different backgrounds. Jenn has found that providing a platform via social media for people to share their stories and to connect with others has been an impactful and rewarding experience for herself and for those who have participated in their programs and spotlights. We Are You is available to partner with organizations looking to facilitate an event to increase connections. (weareyou.social)

FEATURED ORGANIZATION

Bloom Magazine Article about We Are You and Jenn Harmless – 12/8/2018

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

The “community” in WFHB volunteer-powered community radio was a strong draw for Chuck Beckett as he was looking for a place to give back as a volunteer in his retirement. The atmosphere and people at the station reminded him of his time years ago at his college radio station. From music to news to community features and activities, he has been inspired to get involved and get connected. Chuck started out as a desk jockey at the station and learned more about what makes the station run. His involvement has expanded during his time at WFHB to include committee work, reading underwriter’s announcements, and now as a substitute DJ on air. Just being a part of what makes WFHB stay on air makes Chuck happy to be a part of the volunteers that power WFHB 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION

FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY LINKS

Karl Swenson knows the difficulties inherent in the transition from military to civilian culture experienced by returning veterans. As a veteran himself, he experienced many of the same issues upon re-entering his civilian life after serving in Vietnam a half-century ago. It was a recognition of those shared experiences that lead him to be a volunteer mentor in the Monroe County Veterans Treatment Court. Nationwide there are more than 21.5 million veterans, many of whom struggle with PTSD, brain injury or trauma, and drug and alcohol addictions. This combination sometimes leads to problems as veterans reintegrate into civilian life, and some find themselves in court. Monroe County veterans court connects veterans with services targeted to their special needs. Karl’s experience as a Court volunteer led him to even greater connections with his fellow veterans.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION

FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY LINKS

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

The line between personal and professional interests have blurred around the issue of accessibility for Chris Jackson, the chair of the City’s Council for Community Accessibility’s AccessAbility subcommittee. In his professional life, he manages community outreach services for the Monroe County Public Library, specifically around the accessibility of services for all community members through programs like the Bookmobile. After attending a few CCA meetings looking for resources for his work, he discovered an opportunity to join in the conversation about disability and accessibility in a way that spoke to him both professionally and personally. Listen to Chris’s story of service.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION

FEATURED VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITY LINKS

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.

Ellen Bergan was inspired to create her own community resource, the Van-Go Mobile Art Studio, when she joined the Monroe County Youth Council in high school. She applied for and received a grant her junior year to get this project going. Ellen uses her passion to bring art to those who need it by bringing professional grade art supplies to children who often had never seen them. Children have vivid imaginations and can have a hard time processing major and possibly traumatic life events. Art becomes a necessity outlet for dealing with these complex emotions. Through Van-Go, Ellen has touched the lives of roughly 250 children and adults from multiple income and ability levels.

FEATURED ORGANIZATION

Activate is a co-production of WFHB Community Radio and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network.