WFHB

When Amalia Shifriss was a kid, Boy Scouts of America was “no girls allowed.” Today Amalia is a staff member of the local Hoosier Trails Council of BSA, and she’s on a mission to bring females and nonbinary youth into the organization. Soon Boy Scouts of America will officially change its name to Scouting America, so Amalia is here to do a little “scoutreach.”

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

Dani Ansaldo calls the Bloomington Community Orchard “a public edible park.” It’s a place where you can walk, eat, and learn to grow fruits and veggies and herbs. But it’s also about building community, by sharing space, sharing food, and sharing resources. As chair of orchard operations Dani is always looking for more volunteers.

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

If you’ve been to an event at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater in the last year, chances are you’ve been warmly greeted by Laurie Sachtleben. Laurie is one of about 80 volunteers who serve as ushers at this historic nonprofit venue. She thinks it’s a great gig, and Laurie’s hoping to convince YOU to sign up too. Free popcorn!!!

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

When Shawn Miya says “stay cool Bloomington,” she means it literally. Shawn is the Assistant Director of Sustainability for the City of Bloomington which puts her in charge of our local climate action plan. Right now Shawn is getting ready to do some urban heat mapping. Basically she wants to strap a heat sensor to your car and have you drive around Bloomington on a super hot day this summer. The data collected will be used to implement cooling strategies for Bloomington’s hottest hot spots. CLICK HERE to sign up!

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

Food pantries are critical resources for families struggling to afford groceries, but where do food pantries get their food? The Hoosier Hills Food Bank keeps the shelves stocked at many south central Indiana pantries, distribution five million pounds of food every year. And it’s not just canned and boxed food either – the food bank sources fresh meat and dairy and even grows thousands of pounds of produce themselves. Volunteer Coordinator Ryan Jochim needs your help meeting this critical need in our community.

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

Heather Stettler loves to ride her bike. When she first moved to Bloomington Heather found her people in the Bloomington Bicycle Club. In addition to organized rides, the club also advocates for bike safety and bicycle-friendly urban development. Their latest initiative is a program that will provide safety lights to local cyclists.

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

You know summer is really here when the Monroe County Civic Theater does Shakespeare in the Park. Our community’s only all-volunteer nonprofit theater group has been doing it for 35 years, and next week this year’s production goes back to basics with “The Comedy of Errors,” one of Shakespeare’s first plays. Maryann Iaria is super excited about this and she wants you to be a part of it.

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

Bloomington’s SING FOR JOY! community choir might be the most inclusive performance group around. SING FOR JOY! is open to literally anyone, no audition required. People with disabilities or dementia or other challenges that might make a traditional choir intimidating are encouraged to join. Director Sandra Freund recently won a “Be More” award from the Bloomington Volunteer Network for this innovative approach, and she’s here to ask YOU to join SING FOR JOY!

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

Dance studios are typically set up as commercial businesses, but in Bloomington Windfall Dancers is a non-profit promoting movement for individual health AND building community. Managing director Andrea Kleesattel offers their facility to groups that need a space, and she’d love to talk to you about volunteering at Windfall or maybe trading some gardening work for free dance classes. Yes, they have a garden at Windfall!

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].

If you experience discrimination in Bloomington, the Human Rights Commission may be able to help. Last year the city HRC and the county HRC merged into a single entity that investigates complaints of discrimination against protected classes. Both the city and county have extended protection beyond what is federally required, to include sexual orientation and gender identity. As a gay man living in a town that is perhaps not as “woke” as it thinks is, commission president Ryne Shadday stands up for those who have been wronged.

Activate! is a partnership between WFHB and the City of Bloomington Volunteer Network, working together to build a strong, healthy and engaged community. You can learn more about volunteer opportunities in the WFHB listening area at bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org or by emailing [email protected].