The San Diego Food Bank is one of our most popular volunteer projects on our Flexible Volunteer Program Calendar.  In this episode, I chat with David Ruiz, Volunteer Coordinator of the San Diego Food Bank, and Nancy Trejo and Melinda Redding, our Volunteer San Diego Team Leaders.  We discuss our volunteer activities and the population that we serve at the San Diego Food Bank.  In addition, there is a monthly opportunity for new volunteers to join the FLEX program and volunteer directly in the project on the same evening. 

For more information about this project or any of our other volunteer opportunities, check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guests:
David Ruiz, Volunteer Coordinator, San Diego Food Bank 
Nancy Trejo, Volunteer San Diego Team Leader 
Melinda Redding, Volunteer San Diego Orientation Leader 

Running Time:  6:15 

In a special video edition of the Volunteer San Diego Podcast, Elise Rollinson and I return to Wilson Middle School to complete our renovation project that was started during Hands On San Diego last September. 

If you or your company are interested in corporate volunteer opportunities, give us a call at 858-636-4131, or check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org. 

Hosts:  Brent Shintani and Elise Rollinson
Guest:  Matt Milliron, CBeyond 

Special Thanks: 
Wilson Middle School Staff 
Principal Bernie Nguyen 
CBeyond Employees

Running Time:  5:06

In this episode of the Volunteer San Diego Podcast, I'm joined by Lei Ai Yap Imperial from Volunteer San Diego.  Lei Ai shares information about the different volunteer opportunities on the FLEX calendar that are open for new members to try,  There are a variety of projects in which you can provide a positive impact to the local San Diego community. 

Paul Tran also discusses our Signature Event for Global Youth Service Day on Saturday, April 26, 2008.  Sign up at our website at www.volunteersandiego.org or give us a call at 858-636-4131 for more information. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guests:  Lei Ai Yap Imperial and Paul Tran 

Running Time:  4:36

It's our 50th show, and special guest host Ron Clayton turns the tables on me.  Ron and I chat about the origins of the Volunteer San Diego Podcast.  In addition, I discuss some of my other volunteer projects and activities though Volunteer San Diego. 

For anyone interested in the work of non-profits and the work of volunteers, check out the 501c3Cast at www.501c3cast.com.   Also check out Ron's website at www.randomactofkindness.net to see some of the volunteers at many of the different FLEX Projects.  

To find out more about Volunteer San Diego, check out out website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Hosts: Brent Shintani and Ron Clayton 

Running Time:  9:14 

As we begin National Volunteer Recognition Month, our SAVY Leaders join me to discuss this year's project for Global Youth Service Day 2008.  Please join us for our signature event on Saturday, April 26, 2008. 

To sign up for the project, or to find out how you can help, please check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Host:  Brent Shintani
Guests:  Paul Tran and Abby Ineman 

Running Time:  05:27 

In this episode of the Volunteer San Diego Podcast, we highlight one of our teen FLEX projects, Beautified Nature Walks For Teens.  Team Leader Melissa Camarillo joins me for a discussion about the project. 

Paul Tran, one of our SAVY Leaders, also joins me to discuss a special fundraising event in preparation for our Global Youth Service Day project, which will be highlighted in our next episode.  Join us at Pat & Oscars in Mira Mesa on Tuesday, March 25th, from 5pm - 8pm to support Volunteer San Diego. 

For more information about youth volunteer opportunities, check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guests:  Melissa Camarillo, FLEX Team Leader
Paul Tran, SAVY Leader 

Running Time:  6:21

It's been an eventful month at Volunteer San Diego.  Kelli Ochoa and Ron Clayton join me to discuss our award for the Best Place To Work from the San Diego Business Journal.  Congratulations to our staff, board, and all of our volunteers!

Governor Schwarzenegger recently created a cabinet-level position for volunteering.  Check out www.californiavolunteers.org for additional information.  Kelli and I discuss the role of Volunteer San Diego as a hub for California Volunteers.  We also talk about some the different ways that everyone can get involved in volunteering.  

For more information about how you can get involved, check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guests:  Kelli Ochoa, Development Director, Volunteer San Diego 
Ron Clayton, Volunteer Team Leader and Orientation Leader
 
Running Time:  5:26 

In this episode, I continue our conversation with Elise Rollinson, Corporate Relations Manager for Volunteer San Diego.  Elise describes some of the different examples of corporate volunteer projects in various community impact areas.  We also discuss how Volunteer San Diego can help companies to incorporate volunteer projects into employee team building, company meeting activities, or special events. 

If you are company that wants to provide a volunteer opportunities in the San Diego area for your employees, contact Elise Rollinson at erollinson@volunteersandiego.org.

For more information about our corporate team building volunteer program, you can also contact us at 858-636-4131, or check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guest:  Elise Rollinson, Corporate Relations Manager, Volunteer San Diego 

Running Time: 8:51

Volunteer San Diego has extensive experience in managing volunteers and volunteer projects.  Elise Rollinson, Corporate Relations Manager for Volunteer San Diego, joins me for a discussion about the different types of services that Volunteer San Diego can provide to any company that desires to incorporate volunteer projects into employee team building, company meeting activities, or special events. 

We will continue this discussion about corporate volunteer projects in a special bonus episode which will be released tomorrow.

For more information about our corporate team building volunteer program, please contact us at 858-636-4131, or check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guest:  Elise Rollinson, Corporate Relations Manager, Volunteer San Diego 

Running Time: 8:48 

In this special extended episode of the Volunteer San Diego Podcast, we remember our friend and super volunteer, Bob Lavenstein.  Bob passed away from a heart attack on January 21, 2008. 

Bob appeared on the Volunteer San Diego Podcast last February to discuss our project at the Polinsky Children's Center.  His legacy will live on though all of our volunteers, team leaders, staff, friends, and all of the people whose lives he touched. 

We got together with some of the Volunteer San Diego team leaders and staff to share some memories.  Because of a volunteer, many lives were enriched. 

For more information about Volunteer San Diego, check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org. 

Hosts:  Brent Shintani and Sue Carter 
Guests: 
Deanna Encarnacion, Malcolm X Library Team Leader 
Stephanie Culbertson, Childcare at the WRC Team Leader 
Bob Alden, Volunteer San Diego Board President 
Dale Isaacs, Serving Seniors Team Leader 
Candice Hodge, Polinsky Songs & Stories Team Leader
Debbie Krakauer, Volunteer Coordinator, Volunteer San Diego 
Sarah Adams, Program Director, Volunteer San Diego

Running Time:  13:50 

I'm joined by Ron Clayton, one of our FLEX Orientation Leaders.  Ron talks about the FLEX Orientation process, and highlights some of the of the projects and experiences that he has enjoyed through Volunteer San Diego in the past few years. 

Check out Ron's website at www.didmy30.com.  Ron has posted many pictures at several of the volunteer projects, and has highlighted several stories of many volunteers.  Ron has even posted my picture on his site after he finished our interview earlier this month. 

For more information on any of our programs at Volunteer San Diego, check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guest:  Ron Clayton, FLEX Orientation Leader

Running Time:  7:35

Sarah Adams joins me to discuss our annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service on January 21, 2008. This year, our SAVY Leaders are partnering up with the Southern Sudanese Community Center of San Diego for a day of service to help renovate some of its facilities. We need people to paint, sort through donations, garden, and many other fun things. 

Check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org to sign up for our project, or give us a call at 858-636-4131.  For additional information about the annual MLK Day of Service, check out the national site at www.mlkday.gov. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guest:  Sarah Adams, Director, Agency & Volunteer Services, VSD 
Running Time:  4:34 

Calling all golf fans!  The 2008 Buick Invitational is coming into town in January.  Debbie Krakauer and I talk about the annual volunteer opportunities at the event. 

For more information about volunteer opportunities at the Buick Invitational check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Hosts:  Brent Shintani and Debbie Krakauer 
Running Time:  4:35

Every December 6th, we celebrate St. Nick Day and the spirit of generosity by providing backpacks filled with school supplies, books, and toys to some of the under-served elementary school children in San Diego county.  We selected eight schools and delivered 2500 backpacks to students in kindergarten, first, and second grade, and read the story of St. Nicholas to the students. 

I spent some time in the morning reading at Maryland Elementary in Vista.  Principal Acacia Thede spent some time with me to catch up on the events of the morning. 

To find out more about how you can help, check our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131.  Visit Rubio's restaurants in San Diego county, and order a St. Nick Meal.  One dollar is donated to Volunteer San Diego for every meal sold. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guest:  Acacia Thede, Principal, Maryland Elementary School 

Running Time: 5:00 

Debbie Krakauer and I highlight holiday volunteer opportunities in episode 39 of the Volunteer San Diego Podcast.  There are many different ways everyone can help, so check out some of our highlighted volunteer opportunities at www.volunteersandiego.org. 

Support Volunteer San Diego by attending the St. Nick Soiree on November 29th at Side Bar in downtown San Diego.  You can also help support year-round programming at Volunteer San Diego by purchasing a St. Nick Combo at any Rubio's Restaurant in San Diego county. 

Hosts:  Brent Shintani and Debbie Krakauer 
Running Time:  4:23

We celebrate our annual St. Nick Packing Party, which was graciously hosted once again by Johnson & Johnson Pharmaceutical Research & Development.  Over 90 volunteers joined us to pack 2500 backpacks for our upcoming St. Nick event at eight Title I schools throughout San Diego county in December. 

For more information about holiday volunteer opportunities, check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guests:  Mary Evers, VSD Board of Directors, 
Sue Carter, Executive Director, Volunteer San Diego 
Kelli Ochoa, Development Director, Volunteer San Diego 

Running Time:  5:00

San Diego County was recently stricken with wildfires throughout the entire region.  As a lead agency in disaster operations, Volunteer San Diego plays a critical role in disasters by coordinating with many different agencies.  Volunteer San Diego serves the San Diego community by connecting volunteers with specific volunteer opportunities as the emerge in the days following the disaster. 

In the hours following the initial disaster, Volunteer San Diego activated the disaster response plan.  I was among many volunteers mobilized during the disaster to assist with at various agencies, including the 2-1-1 Information Line. 

To find out how you can help, contact us at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131.  You can also check out our group and cause on Facebook. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Running Time:  5:23
 

In episode 36 of the Volunteer San Diego Podcast, Sue Carter and I discuss our new logo, which was recently adopted a couple of weeks ago at Hands On San Diego 2007. 

Support the programs of Volunteer San Diego by purchasing merchandise at our Cafe Press store at www.cafepress.com/volunteersd.  Support Volunteer San Diego by joining our Causes page and Group on Facebook. 

For more information about our programs, please check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Host:  Brent Shintani 
Guest:  Sue Carter, Executive Director, Volunteer San Diego 

Running Time:  5:06 

In this episode, Debbie Krakauer and I talk about some of our Homework Helper projects throughout San Diego County.  Many of the projects need some additional volunteers and team leaders in order to keep running. 

We're branching out in Mira Mesa to tutor the local children at an additional location on new dates.  Check out the FLEX Calendar for the new project starting on October 2, 2007. 

Check the Volunteer San Diego website at www.volunteersandiego.org for information, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Hosts:  Brent Shintani and Debbie Krakauer 
Running Time:  5:30

We're continuing our coverage of Hands On San Diego 2007.  I'm joined by Debbie Krakauer to give us an overview of the over 100 projects that are taking place throughout the week. 

For more information about Volunteer San Diego, and how you can help, please check out our website at www.volunteersandiego.org, or give us a call at 858-636-4131. 

Hosts:  Brent Shintani and Debbie Krakauer 

Running Time:  5:10