Partners:

2100 Lakeside Men’s Shelter

All-Faiths Pantry

American Red Cross

Case Western Reserve University

Cleveland Botanical Garden

Cleveland Catholic Charities

Cleveland Foodbank

Cleveland Metropolitan School District

Cleveland Public Library; City of Cleveland

City of East Cleveland

Cleveland Orchestra

Cuyahoga County EMA

Downtown Cleveland Alliance

Flight Options

Great Lakes Science Center

Greater Cleveland Volunteers

JP Morgan Chase

MedWish International

The Mission Continues

Mr. Hero

Ohio City Bike Co-op

Ohio National Guard Family Assistance

Old Stone Church

Volunteers of America.

Zelma George Family Shelter

 

HandsOn Northeast Ohio (HandsOn) works to engage Northeast Ohio individuals and organizations in volunteer opportunities that meet community needs, strengthen community involvement, and build capacity of nonprofits.  

 

In honor of 9/11 in 2010, HandsOn identified the fire/police stations that receive little community support in the East Cleveland area.  Community volunteers hosted a chili dinner for the firemen, policemen, staff, and family members. HandsOn created and led a service project for a local corporate partner—Flight Options staff and family members helped to create a safe walking path in the Glenville neighborhood, assembled “Hero Packs” (mementos and items to help children stay in contact with their recently deployed parent), and assembled wooden planter boxes. HandsOn managed medical donation sorting with a group of veterans from Volunteers of America (VOA).  Veterans helped box donated unused medical supplies in bulk that would be sent to developing countries around the world.  HandsOn currently works with a number of shelters and facilities that have a population of veterans and can further address the needs of veterans. HandsOn has worked to honor active duty military and their family throughout the year: assembling Hero Packs, sending care packages (MLK Day: 250 care packages were sent to the 112th EN Battalion), and participating in Operation Gratitude and American Red Cross Holiday Mail for Heroes.

 

In 2011, HandsOn will work to plan and manage volunteer opportunities that meet the critical needs of the community, honor the lives of those lost, and celebrate the heroes that rose in service. HandsOn will create a blend of volunteer opportunities that will directly benefit: veterans, local fire and police stations, active duty military, and the families of aforementioned. 

 

HandsOn will provide ways to honor victims through reflection time at the end of each service project. HandsOn will encourage and demonstrate the power of volunteerism beyond 9/11 activities to further honor the victims of 9/11 and the local heroes of Northeast Ohio.. The additional CNCS funds would allow a lasting legacy, engage Northeast Ohio citizens in high-impact service in honor of 9/11, and work to better engage volunteers in an ongoing basis throughout the year.

 

9/11 Activities:

 

·      Flag Memorial & Cleveland Commemorative Activities

To honor the victims of 9/11, a display of American flags (one per victim) that honors their memory at the Great Lakes Science Center (Downtown Cleveland) by HandsOn volunteers.  This central memorial is in conjunction with HandsOn Central Ohio. HandsOn will be presenting on-site service opportunities in conjunction with the Patriot Day Concert with the Cleveland Orchestra and city-wide commemorative events.

 

·      1^st Responder Thank You Dinners

HandsOn will host its 2^nd Thank You Dinner for East Cleveland.  With Mr. Hero, HandsOn will be hosting 5 additional first responder dinners catered by Mr. Hero. Family members of firehouses and police stations will be invited to recognize the commitment and dedication made by families.

 

·      Operation: Military Kids (OMK)

HandsOn and the Ohio 4-H will work as in the past, to have youth and families assemble gift packs to benefit children of OMK. HandsOn will provide resources to support these youth while families in service by working with the Ohio 4-H to determine the needs of the children and families. 

 

·      Veterans in Service

HandsOn will again engage veteran volunteers from VOA facilities in projects over the course of 9/11 weekend.  HandsOn will engage 150-200 veterans and community members in sorting donated medical supplies for countries in the developing world rather than throwing them away.  HandsOn will be hosting game days (board game and card games) at the Veterans Domiciliary at Wade Park and with 2100 Lakeside (which houses a veteran population). 

 

·      Blood Drives and National Preparedness Month

HandsOn will schedule and promote blood drives with the American Red Cross.  As part of National Preparedness Month and in recognition of those who rose in service following the 9/11 attacks, HandsOn will work with the County EMA to assemble mini disaster preparedness kits for homebound seniors and work to provide community resources for disaster preparedness.

 

·      Back to school, back to service

HandsOn will engage the Cleveland Metropolitan School District and Collinwood Public Library in volunteer opportunities for youth.  These opportunities will engage school communities in projects to recognize first responders and veterans.  HandsOn facilitate activities (assembling welcome packs for veterans at a nearby facility and thank you packages for local fire and police).  

 

·      Mr. Hero for Heroes

HandsOn is working with a local sandwich store where we will give volunteers in 6 stores the opportunity to write thank you cards to those in the military and/or to their local fire/police stations. This simple but powerful expression will allow these community volunteers to recognize the heroism of local first responders.  HandsOn will also be working to recognize the service of veterans with vouchers for Mr. Hero stores. 

 

·      Community Beautification

HandsOn will identify a space within a local non-profit and provide beautification. This beautification project will help build capacity at the non-profit agency and provide an opportunity to engage community members (civilian, veteran, and active duty military) in service.

 

Media:

HandsOn will engage the media through a combination of press releases and direct contact with local media outlets.   Media representatives will be invited to visit project sites and report on the 9/11 projects managed by HandsOn.  HandsOn will advertise via partners, billboard advertisements, and extensive social media platforms to communicate, recruit and engage the public. HandsOn will work to invite state and local officials to attend the 9/11 signature events and projects (September 8-12).