Trot Your Stuff at the Turkey Trot!

November 12, 2015November 13, 2015 Lucy Williams

VolunteerLocal was created and is headquartered in Des Moines, so we guess you could say we’re biased when it comes to our love for the city. But it’s for good reason. With the amount of young professionals, awesome restaurants, affordable housing and more, there’s no reason not to love this metropolis.

Michael Zimmerman, founder of Rip Roar Events, agrees with us. “The cost to culture ratio in Des Moines is great. You can afford to take a risk and start a new company. People are trying to do things that might cause great change without worrying about paying thousands in rent or for groceries. Instead, people can reinvest into things that benefit the community.”

Rip Roar Events was created with that idea of culture and community building in mind. Zimmerman founded the company in January 2015, with an interest in children’s endurance events. This November, they’re hosting their first ever Turkey Trot, a 5K and 5Mile race on Thanksgiving day which encourages runners of all ages. Beyond featuring an awesome route, it will also include a community meal, to bring the people of Des Moines together.

Courtesy of Rip Roar Events

“We’re focusing on community and culture building events,” Zimmerman explains. “We thought, ‘What are we going to do that’s actually going to benefit the community?’ So we created the Turkey Trot, which I believe provides people with an outlet to do something besides sit around the TV… We’re having a community meal, and one of the options when registering is asking if you want to buy a plate for somebody else. We already have 150 plates bought, so people are saying, ‘It’s Thanksgiving, let’s continue to make Des Moines great and give back.’ Everyone will be coming around the table to share a meal that perpetuates that [greatness].”

VolunteerLocal has been a useful tool for gathering new volunteers–and it doesn’t hurt that it’s a local business. “It’s great that we’re using something that was developed locally by young people, people that we know in our community. We try to do as much within a local platform as possible to say, Des Moines kicks butt and we’ll prove it in every facet,” says Zimmerman. “For a first year event that’s up and coming, and trying to establish consistency, it’s fantastic to be able to give people this very professional platform… [VolunteerLocal] is a total luxury for a small up and coming race.”

So while we understand the temptation to stay on the couch in your most forgiving sweatpants, we recommend taking part in this year’s Turkey Trot. It’s an event that promises to benefit the community, and you. We’re positive it will make those turkey legs and mashed potatoes all the more satisfying.

Click here to sign up and learn more about volunteering opportunities for the Turkey Trot 2015!

Getting Trippy with the Nippy Hippie!

October 29, 2015October 30, 2015 Lucy Williams

Early this November, the Altoona Chamber of Commerce will throw their third annual Nippy Hippie 5K, a run/walk that supports the local community of Altoona, Iowa.

Courtesy of the Altoona Chamber of Commerce

Not only does this particular 5K have an outstanding name, but it’s also doing some amazing things for the community of Altoona.

For the third year, the Altoona Chamber of Commerce is putting on the Nippy Hippie 5K, a run/walk that brings in hundreds of participants and gives a portion of the proceeds to different projects going on in the community. This year, they are thrilled to be able to support the Altoona Kids Cafe, a program created to help families experiencing food insecurity.

“When children are hungry, they don’t learn as well,” explains Melissa Horton, Executive Director of the

Altoona Chamber of Commerce. “The Altoona Kids Cafe put together an incredible program that feeds over 300 kids over the summer. Along with feeding kids, it’s also providing extended learning activities…Beth [my coworker] and I volunteer at this particular cafe in the summer time as well, but we wanted to be able to give them even more this year.”

Before using VolunteerLocal, the Altoona Chamber of Commerce relied on asking board members, family or friends to volunteer for their events. But ever since using VolunteerLocal’s software, they’ve had a huge success getting more people involved. “The simplicity of how people can [sign up] is awesome! People love the fact that they can just click the link, pick where they want to be, and we’re able to easily communicate with them. That’s been a huge plus for us.”

So don your best tie-dye and head on out Saturday, November 7th from 10:00am-12:00pm and join the Nippy Hippie 5K! It promises to be a very groovy time with a local bar serving food and drinks, free hot cocoa, and a “selfie station” sponsored by Sam’s Club. There will also be plenty of kids and family activities, including some tie-dying and different hippie-themed crafts.

Happy (Groovy) Volunteering, Altoona!

Red, White & BOOM!

July 3, 2015July 3, 2015 kaylee@volunteerlocal.com

The 4th of July: a day to celebrate our country’s great independence, the Constitution and the Magna americanflag2 Carta, beef jerky and (did we mention?) totally awesome fireworks. This year, with the 2016 presidential hopefuls surfacing on your televisions, radio stations and in your favorite coffee shops, our prediction is that tomorrow’s 4th of July celebration will be peppered with some good ‘ol fashioned politics.

So before you dive into a lively debate with your brother-in-law about the Trans-Pacific Trade Agreement, burn off some steam by celebrating like a true American: volunteer at the Red, White & BOOM! Half Marathon and RedWhiteandBoomLogo Relay. Produced by Twin Cities In Motion, this event takes place on the morning of July 4th in Minneapolis, MN – and it’s an excellent way to kick off a weekend of patriotic festivities.

Twin Cities In Motion (TCM) is a non-profit corporation that organizes and directs the annual Medtronic TwinCities Marathon, Medtronic TC 10 Mile, TC 10K, TC 5K & Medtronic TC Family Events, Valentine’s Day TC 5K, 100% Irish for a Day TC 5K and TC 10 Mile, Medtronic TC 1 Mile, Red, White and Boom! TC Half Marathon, TC Urban Dash, Fifteen’s 5K and all related events, as well as the TC Kids Marathon Program, as a community service for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. We know – that sounds like a lot of running. Luckily, volunteers like you keep this organization in smooth operation, mile-after-mile.

From all of us here at VolunteerLocal – Happy 4th of July and (as always) Happy Volunteering!

imATHLETE & VolunteerLocal

May 29, 2015May 29, 2015 kaylee@volunteerlocal.com

VolunteerLocal is now the official volunteer registration technology partner to imATHLETE, an industry leader in race registration, e-commerce and social networking.

This partnership provides a special list price discount to imATHLETE customers who sign-up on VolunteerLocal. This discount can be applied to any paid plan (Discover or Grow) at the single-event or annual level. “Over the years, VolunteerLocal has continually proven to be a powerful force in volunteer management software,” said imATHLETE CEO Jeff Matlow. “We are beyond excited to integrate with them and ensure imATHLETE continues to provide a one-stop resource for all athletic events.”

VolunteerLocal’s easy-to-use, flexible volunteer scheduling platform was built to serve sporting events of all sizes and types. Our scheduling, coordination and communication resources, combined with our user friendly design, has led our platform to be the resource of choice for such organizations as Twin Cities in Motion, USA Triathlon and the Vancouver International Marathon, among others.

“We are beyond excited about enhancing our relationship with imATHLETE,” said Brian Hemesath, CEO of VolunteerLocal. “imATHLETE is a clear leader in the athletic space and a company that shares our goal of leveraging technology to solve everyday problems of event organizers.”

For more information about this partnership or to request a demonstration, please contact VolunteerLocal directly:

hello@volunteerlocal.com

(800) 909-7370

Tweet us @VolunteerLocal

About imATHLETE
imATHLETE is a different kind of registration company. Blending registration, training and e-commerce technology with the social networking inherent in participatory sports, they are a leading force in the sporting world. With its industry-changing technology, imATHLETE is one of the fastest growing companies in the market. They are transforming the relationship between event organizers and their participants.

imATHLETE’s clients and partners include the OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini-Marathon, ASICS Los Angeles Marathon, Austin Marathon, Bike New York, GORE-TEX Philadelphia Marathon, Dallas Marathon, Twin Cities in Motion, American Trail Running Association, and thousands of others.

Santa Barbara Triathlon

February 27, 2015October 20, 2015 kaylee@volunteerlocal.com

ParentChildDivision — Photo cred: www.snewsnet.com

The Santa Barbara Triathlon’s stunning scenery, flawless operations and ocean-front transition area and finish line make this event one to remember. “We offer children’s beach activities, a fabulous sports expo and convenient on-site dining,” says Robin Stevens, Office Manager for the Santa Barbara Triathlon.

Established in 1981, the Santa Barbara Triathlon is one of the longest running triathlons in the world. In that time, the event has grown to include something for everyone: unique divisions to the sprint course, including a traditional co-ed option, a women-only division, and a parent-child division. “Our challenging Long Course race also offers an Aquabike division for those who don’t run or can’t due to injury,” adds Stevens.

“This is our first year using VolunteerLocal, but so far it has been very user-friendly and I would recommend it to others.” – Robin Stevens, Office Manager for the Santa Barbara Triathlon

Each year, the Santa Barbara Triathlon partners with a nonprofit organization (selected by the community) to be the recipient of charitable donations made by athletes and their friends.

SB Triathlon — Photo cred: www.sbswim.net

Registered participants for the Santa Barbara Triathlon create personal fundraising pages,” says Stevens. “If every Santa Barbara Triathlon participant gets seven friends to donate $5 each, we will raise $50,000 for our beneficiary.”

Thanks to Montecito Bank & Trust, participants and partners, the Santa Barbara Triathlon has raised over $450,000 for local charities since 2002. This year’s designated nonprofit is the Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) of Santa Barbara County. “Our community is fortunate to have an organization whose goal is to prevent abused, neglected, and abandoned children from becoming lost in the Juvenile Dependency system,” says Stevens. “Everyone can make a difference.”

Sign up to volunteer at the Santa Barbara Triathlon!

SunFest 2015

February 13, 2015October 20, 2015 kaylee@volunteerlocal.com

Shake off those winter blues and get ready to groove at this year’s SunFest in downtown West Palm Beach, Florida. SunFest began in 1982, and has since grown to become Florida’s largest waterfront music and art festival, attracting over 175,000 attendees to the sunny shores of West Palm Beach annually.

A sunny day at SunFest — Photo cred: www.sunfest.com

This five-day event features a full line-up of live musical performers, a juried fine arts & crafts show (featuring work from over 140 national artists) a 5K walk/run and a number of family-friendly activities (dubbed “SunFestivities”) scheduled throughout.

As a nonprofit organization, SunFest also gives back to the greater community year-round through a program called SunFest 365. Their mission? To create and support projects that promote or enhance culture and the arts, youth education, and/or provide assistance for other nonprofit organizations and the environment.

Over the past ten years, SunFest has helped nonprofit organizations raise over $800,000 to support their causes.

Each year, SunFest contributes complimentary tickets to area charities, schools, synagogues and other organizations for distribution to individuals who otherwise would not be able to attend the festival. SunFest also donates tickets for fundraising purposes to eligible event/causes whose activities enhance the greater community. Over the past ten years, SunFest has helped nonprofit organizations raise over $800,000 to support their causes.

As you might imagine, an event of this magnitude (and with a heart this big) requires many helping hands. Volunteers for SunFest receive a free ticket and a free meal – all while participating in one of the state’s biggest and most impactful festivals. Sounds like a sweet deal to us. Registration goes live in February: http://www.sunfest.com/volunteer/volunteer-opportunities.

Feeling inspired? We are, too. There’s a lot to celebrate at SunFest – so put on your best dancing shoes (okay, flip-flops) and meet us at the beach, Happy Volunteers!

The Louisiana Marathon

January 14, 2015October 20, 2015 kaylee@volunteerlocal.com

VOLUNTEER FOR THE LOUISIANA MARATHON

Louisiana Marathon Finisher — Photo cred: www.thelouisianamarathon.com

Baton Rouge: a playful, lively city, known by many for it’s dazzling performing artists, rich cultural traditions and colorful nightlife. It’s also home to the annual Louisiana Marathon, an event that brings together a unique blend of sporting enthusiasts and local francophones – all in an effort to celebrate a passion for running alongside the vibrant culture of their community. That’s why they call it the Louisiana “Running Festival.”

Now in it’s fourth year, the Louisiana Marathon offers up a little something for everybody: runners can choose from a 5K, quarter marathon, half marathon, full marathon and even a kids marathon (for the little gunners of the pack)!

Medals — Photo cred: http://as1 wdpromedia com/media/rundisney/disneyland-half-marathon/

The Marathon course follows a scenic river trail through downtown Baton Rouge, weaving past University Lakes, the Louisiana State University campus and historic river town neighborhoods. Spectators, runners and volunteers alike can enjoy local food, beverages and live music at the finish line. Laissez les bon temps roulez!

Of course, an event of this magnitude requires the helping hands of many community volunteers. Those interested can sign-up individually, or as a member of a charity group. Volunteers will receive a “Race Krewe” t-shirt, an early-bird discount to register for any race next year at The Louisiana Marathon, and a discount to this year’s Pastalaya dinner. Spots are still available online – sign-up today and #GEAUXRUNLA!

Des Moines Social Club

December 22, 2014October 20, 2015 kaylee@volunteerlocal.com

VOLUNTEER AT BASH TO THE FUTURE

Photo cred: www.menacesoccer.com

Before you commit your New Year’s Eve festivities to the standard song-and-dance (you know the drill – champagne, sequins, kisses and confetti), consider this: live music, visual artists, art installations, decor, food, comedians, and aerial acrobats. Intrigued? It’s all going down on December 31st at the Des Moines Social Club’s New Year’s Eve Bash – and it’s one party you don’t want to miss. This year’s theme is ‘Bash to the Future.’

“Volunteers, after all, are the reason we can do any of the things that we do!” – Mickey Davis, Program Manager at the Des Moines Social Club

“We had always thought of doing a Back to the Future themed NYE, and this year seemed like the perfect time to do it,” says Mickey Davis, Program Manager at the Social Club. “As we started planning, we moved a little bit away from throwing a party based on the movie and instead are planning a party that showcases music, art, and decor in the past, present, and future.”

Attendees of this year’s event will find items based on the years 1965, 2015, and 2065 throughout the event.

The Des Moines Social Club (DMSC) is a multifaceted nonprofit arts organization that exists to create unprecedented community engagement through the arts. “More than anything else, the Social Club acts as a resource for new and developing artists to not only experience other art but also show the things they may be working on,” says Davis. “Incorporating both classes and performance, we hope to encourage artists to continue to develop their craft.”

The New Year’s Eve Bash, says Davis, “is almost a microcosm of all of that.” Through the many mediums of artistic expression which will be on display at the event, the Social Club hopes to provide a snapshot of what’s happening in Des Moines, both socially and artistically. If you’d like to get involved as a volunteer, you can sign-up today through VolunteerLocal.

“VolunteerLcoal has been a great resource both in recruiting and managing volunteers,” says Davis. “Things change pretty quickly in the run-up to big events, so being able to talk to my volunteers in such an easy manner has been crucial in making sure we’re as prepared as possible for these big events.”

Davis adds, “Volunteers, after all, are the reason we can do any of the things that we do!”

The Santos Great Bike Ride for Charity

November 19, 2014October 20, 2015 kaylee@volunteerlocal.com

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER

Santos Cycling — Photo cred: plus.google.com

The Santos Great Bike Ride for Charity is one of Perth, Western Australia’s premier cycling events. Celebrating 10 years in 2014, the ride has 3 routes, a 10km family Ride, 53km Challenge Ride and 96km Ultimate Ride taking in the beautiful Swan River. It was started by the Rotary Club of Perth as a fundraising ride for St John of God Health Care and more recently St John of God Horizon House project.

The St John of God Foundation works to raise funds in response to identified needs of people and communities which are not met by traditional means or government funding. The Foundation contributes to many hospital developments in local communities and to Social Outreach services and cancer research.

“VolunteerLocal has been fantastic in helping to manage our [300] volunteers.” – Claire Levett, Campaign Coordinator at the St John of God Foundation

Santos Logo 1 — Photo cred: http://www.greatbikeride.com.au/

One of these initiatives is the St John of God Horizon House, which provides accommodation, care and intensive support to young people aged 16 to 22 who are vulnerable, homeless or at risk of homelessness.

“The most recent house that we opened provides support to homeless pregnant girls,” says Claire Levett, Campaign Coordinator for the St John of God Foundation. Residents are supported during pregnancy, preparing for childbirth and in the months following childbirth until they are able to find stable, independent living arrangements. Levett adds, “In two years, we have seen the birth of 39 babies.”

The Riders! — Photo cred: www.bwa.org.au

Each year, The Santos Great Bike Ride is a tremendous opportunity for the St John of God Foundation to raise awareness about the important services they provide, while bringing together the community for a day of fun and fitness. With over 4,000 participants and 300 volunteers, it’s no easy undertaking.

“Last year was the first time using VolunteerLocal and it has made my job so much easier,” says Levett. “Before, we had hard copy forms that people would send back and we would allocate their role. Now, volunteers can select the exact role and time they would like, saving on confusion and database entry.” Less time managing individual volunteer schedules and more time advocating for services and programs to assist at-risk youth in Western Australia? What a ride!

Des Moines Music Coalition

November 14, 2014October 20, 2015 kaylee@volunteerlocal.com

SIGN UP TO VOLUNTEER AT LITTLE BIG FEST

Whether it’s a soulful woman’s crystalline croon as her hands dance across the keys of a wurlitzer piano, or the lyrical honesty of a frantically poetic acoustic guitar player, his heart illuminated in the yellow glow – there is something about live music that electrifies the night.

Artists like these live among us – and sometimes, they are hidden in plain sight. But thanks to the Des Moines Music Coalition (DMMC), an organization focused on cultivating and supporting Iowa’s music economy, performers in central Iowa have plenty of opportunities to showcase their hard work. One of these events is right around the corner: DMMC’s Little BIG Fest, an annual music festival which features roots, singer-songwriters, bluegrass, jam, world, blues, jazz, and soul music in Des Moines.

“VolunteerLocal makes it so easy to organize an event.” – Christopher Ford, Program Manager at the Des Moines Music Coalition

Little Big Fest Volunteers — Angela Lee, Becky Migas and Jillian Sievel are three of the volunteers behind this year’s Little Big Fest. Photo cred: dmcityview.com

“Little BIG Fest contributes to a growing culture of support for local artists,” says Christopher Ford, Program Manager at the Des Moines Music Coalition. “It’s an opportunity for people to come together to celebrate some of the great music that’s being created in our community and to show love for those individuals who are creating our culture.”

The festival traditionally takes place in November, with its location changing from year-to-year. “As with all DMMC events, local bands are heavily featured,” says Ford. “Though bands from around the U.S. also perform at the event.”

While the location, date and line-up may change each year, one thing never does: happy volunteers. If you’re looking for a free pass to see and hear some local talent, or perhaps just to feel a few of those invariably awesome “altruistic-fuzzies,” sign-up for one of the last remaining shifts at this year’s Little BIG Fest on November 20th and 21st.

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