Jessica Dennes

Q&A with Jessica Jessica O'Donnell is the Volunteer Coordinator at Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest. She was born and raised in a small town outside of Yuma Arizona called Wellton and graduated from NAU with a dual degree in Public Relations and Photography. Jessica O'Donnell     Ask a Volunteer Manager Series To be featured in this series, email SavmaTucson@gmail.com with your request. We would love to hear from you! How did you get started in this field? I have always had a passion for nonprofit work and volunteering. When I graduate from NAU I had several non profit jobs in different areas (such as communication, outreach, program and development.) When I moved to Tucson I got my first volunteer coordinator position and the pieces fell into place. I find joy in helping volunteers find their perfect [...]

The Southern Arizona Virtual Volunteer Fair SAVMA partnered with United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona and the Green Valley/Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse to bring you the Southern Arizona Virtual Volunteer Fair! Eleven organizations had the chance to create short videos that showed the various volunteer opportunities that are safely available. To learn more, watch the video and visit: https://www.unitedwaytucson.org/virtual_volunteer_fair

Q&A with Graciela Graciela Jauregui is the Volunteer Program Coordinator at Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse. She has been in the field for nearly two years. Originally from Yuma, Arizona, Graciela moved to Tucson to attend the University of Arizona between 2008 and 2017 and earned four different degrees. Graciela Jauregui, Volunteer Program Coordinator at Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse Graciela's dog is named Mr. Fluffs. Ask a Volunteer Manager Series To be featured in this series, email SavmaTucson@gmail.com with your request. We would love to hear from you! How did you get started in this field? I never thought about being a Volunteer Coordinator, it just kind of happened. After finishing school, I was looking for jobs in the nonprofit and public health sector and was introduced to Emerge Center Against Domestic Abuse by a friend of mine. [...]

We appreciated our community of Volunteer Managers participating in a special Brainstorm Chat around virtual volunteering on August 5th. Fellow Volunteer Managers had a few great ideas to share with you about how to safely continue your work with volunteers. See the recap below! Many organizations have paid staff working and meeting remotely right now. Organizations have also expressed a need to create virtual volunteer opportunities, as in-person possibilities shift. Opportunities for people to volunteer from home Sew items like masks Virtual mentoring or tutoring, either one-on-one or in small groups Make cards for clients. One organization posted this need on VolunteerMatch and received cards from volunteers in Hawaii! Reid Park Zoo has volunteers virtually monitor web cameras of the animals NAMI sponsors virtual family support groups, school groups, and texting with students Socially distanced volunteer opportunities Volunteer drivers bringing clients to appointments while clients wear masks in the back [...]

Like many organizations, the board members of the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association began asking big questions about how to move forward once COVID-19 changed the nature of our work. Here is a look at a few changes that we have made that will be in effect through the end of the year. Virtual Programming to Continue We work hard to ensure that we provide our members with quality professional development workshops and programs each month. Starting in April, we began offering our programs virtually to members and guests and will continue to offer virtual programming throughout the rest of the year. We were pleased to see that more people could take advantage of virtual offerings as driving time was no longer a barrier and hope that more people can continue to benefit from our monthly programs. The SAVMA Awards 2021 Sadly, due to the uncertainty surrounding health and safety [...]

Community Service Recognition: Cindy Robertson In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Cindy Robertson: Founder of HeArt Works "Cindy volunteers each week at the Boys & Girls Club to teach youth about art and self-expression. What started as an hour a week has now turned into 10-20 hours volunteering with our youth. The young people love “Miss Cindy” and turn to her for advice, support and love. She knows them each by name and they trust her. “Many things change in these kids’ lives, but the constant of having ‘Miss Cindy’ [...]

Community Service Recognition: Howard Stewart In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Howard Stewart: CEO, AGM Container Controls "Howard has been serving as the Tocqueville Society Chair for the United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona Campaign Cabinet since 2015. He is a member of the Board of Directors, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona through 2021. He has also served as a Member of the Board of Directors for the Tucson Metro Chamber, as well as a member of the President's Council for San Miguel High School. Howard was [...]

Community Service Recognition: Nichole Burke In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Nichole Burke: Troop 210 Leader, Area Team Manager Southwest Area "Thank you for your commitment to building girls of courage, confidence, and character! At Girl Scouts, our mission is driven by the dedicated volunteers who put a generous amount of time, effort and love into Girl Scouting in our community. It is our honor and privilege to recognize Nichole Burke for all that she has done, and continues to do, for our organization. It is because of volunteers like [...]

Community Service Recognition: Judy Dare In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Judy Dare: Volunteer at Habitat for Humanity "Judy Dare has been volunteering with Habitat Tucson for the past 20 years, and has worked behind the scenes in every imaginable way. Working retail at the HabiStore. Hammering away on the build site. Supporting staff at the office. Serving on the Habitat Board. But partnering with families—walking them through sweat equity, financial classwork, and mortgage payments—was hands-down her favorite part. To this day, she's still good friends with a family she [...]

Community Service Recognition: Jack McDuff In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Jack McDuff: Volunteer Extraordinaire at the YMCA "At 93, Jack McDuff is still full of vigor and energy. His late wife, Eileen once said of Jack, “He’s proactive. He’s dynamic. He’s a ‘can do’ kind of guy.” She said his attitude and spirit are fueled by his “warm heart and compassion for others.” That leadership and nonstop effort typifies Jack as he lets most anyone he meets know that supporting the mission of the YMCA is critical to our [...]

Community Service Recognition: Dana Smith In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH!   Dana Smith: Women's Empowerment Lead Volunteer Dana is the lead volunteer with Lutheran Social Services of the Southwest (LSS-SW) in the Refugee Women’s Empowerment Program. Weekly, for over a year, she has planned and led free sewing classes for refugee women in Tucson, AZ. Through these classes, she teaches them valuable skills, and works on building community and confidence for women who have lived through unspeakable traumas. Although they do not speak the same languages, she communicates through [...]

Community Service Recognition: Shari Murphy In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Shari Murphy: Warehouse Volunteer at the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona "Shari Murphy is a volunteer extraordinaire. She has been a volunteer for the Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona for over a year, and regularly volunteers at other organizations such as WomanKraft, TIHAN and Valley of the Moon, to name a few. You may have seen her bopping around town in her famous purple VW bug. She always comes to the Diaper Bank with a smile on her face [...]

Community Service Recognition: Maureen McCarthy In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Maureen McCarthy: Advisory Board Member and Past Chair of Green Valley Sahuarita Volunteer Clearinghouse "Maureen McCarthy, CVA, just retired after 13 years as Senior Recreation Supervisor at Green Valley Recreation where she managed over 2,000 volunteers. She still manages their volunteer program as an independent contractor. She has presented workshops at the Arizona Parks and Recreation conference, Volunteer Administrators’ Academy at the Arizona Summit on Volunteerism and Service Learning and at SAVMA. Maureen has a history of over thirty [...]

Community Service Recognition: Michelle Carnes In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Michelle Carnes: Board Chairperson, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona "Michelle Carnes has been a dedicated supporter and volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Arizona for decades. As a former Big Sister Michelle mentored her Little Sister Crystal through her formative years, encouraging Crystal's creative talents while planning fun and educational outings. After 25 years their relationship is still strong, remaining family and friends who share everything from motherhood to being business owners. Michelle's compassion and [...]

Community Service Recognition: Lois Weimuth In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH!   Lois Weimuth: Shelter Volunteer "Lois has volunteered with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona for 16+ years. She is one of the most amazing volunteers we have. Everyday when she comes in, often she is the first person here, she assesses what needs to be done and how she can help meet those needs. Lois is a doer. She spends her time walking dogs, mentoring other volunteers, working with difficult dogs (5 to 10 per day) following their [...]

Community Service Recognition: Jon and Rosemary Beck In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Jon and Rosemary Beck: Resource Volunteers "People often share that they feel something extraordinary when they walk into Literacy Connects. They describe feelings of joy, inclusivity, and love of learning. What they don't realize is that our space is not extraordinary; our volunteers are. Since 2016, Jon and Rosemary have shared close to 900 hours of their skilled time with Literacy Connects. What makes this husband and wife duo so extraordinary is their willingness to say ""YES."" [...]

Community Service Recognition: Chris & Jeff Goldberg In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Chris & Jeff Goldberg: Champion Volunteers at Easterseals Blake Foundation Mr. & Mrs. Goldberg devote most of their time to volunteering throughout our community. We feel honored to have them on our team. They spend a lot of time at Aviva Children's Services, our foster care programs, sorting through huge amounts of donations so we can provide children in foster care with much needed clothing, backpacks, school supplies, shoes, coats, and much more. When needed, they are [...]

Community Service Recognition: Edward (Jim) Nicewander In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Edward (Jim) Nicewander: Transportation and Transportation Scheduler for Interfaith Community Services Edward (Jim) Nicewander is a dedicated transportation volunteer for many isolated seniors that rely on Interfaith Community Services for essential rides to medical and other life-needs appointments. Jim’s dedication and compassion is evident in his commitment to help meet the transportation needs of ICS recipients. Jim not only drives hundreds of miles a year on a regular basis, but also responds to last minute driving needs that [...]

Community Service Recognition: Linda Koral In January, SAVMA celebrated volunteerism at the 2020 SAVMA Awards, a volunteer recognition event for all of Southern Arizona. Organizations were invited to nominate individuals for a Community Service Recognition in honor of their exceptional giving and spirit of service. Throughout the month of April, we will be highlighting these individuals and their nomination as part of VOLUNTEER APPRECIATION MONTH! Linda Koral: President, CASA Support Council of Pima County Inc. "Linda was elected as a board member on the CASA Support Council for Pima County, Inc. in 2010, after being a CASA in Pima County for 5 years. As a CASA she became aware that foster children are generally behind in their educational progress, primarily lacking fundamental skills in Reading and Math. Many have missed a lot of school, due to factors beyond their control. The initial goal for [...]

Announcement: The University of Arizona is hosting an event called "Internship Best Practices" on March 17th for organizations interested in learning more about building their internship programs for university students. Visit the following website to register: https://www.mpace.org/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1337112&group= ****** As Volunteer Managers, you likely understand the needs of your organization and how involving university students in your organization’s mission could make a positive impact. This semester, I joined the University of Arizona as the Internship Coordinator for the School of Sociology and so far, I have enjoyed learning about how students’ skills are being utilized in positive ways. While I have spoken to many at SAVMA about the new role and how the program works, I wanted to share this information with the rest of SAVMA. The University of Arizona’s School of Sociology Internship Program provides opportunities for juniors and seniors to gain real-world experience in their fields while supporting organizations [...]

      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes, SAVMATucson@gmail.com  For more information: icstucson.org, savma.org Interfaith Community Services wins top volunteer awards Tucson, Nov. 4— Interfaith Community Services is Southern Arizona’s Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year and one of its board members also earned top honors from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association. ICS — which aims to help people in need achieve stable, healthy and independent lives — and longtime volunteer Scott Summerford will be honored Jan. 16 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. “Winning these awards for ICS is just an honor,” said Chief Executive Office Tom McKinney. “They come to us because of the work of so many different volunteers throughout our community that serve those that are in the most need. It really just reaffirms how people can come together and actually serve those that [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes, savmatucson@gmail.com  For more information: pimacountycasa.org, savma.org Court Appointed Special Advocate Volunteer wins top volunteer award Tucson, Oct. 24— Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) Volunteer, Steve Johnson, is being awarded the Southern Arizona Volunteer of the Year from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association. Steve Johnson, a CASA Volunteer and Peer Coordinator with the CASA of Pima County Program will be honored Jan. 16, 2020 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. According to Jill LaBrie, CASA Coordinator for Johnson, “All of our staff are very excited for Steve and believe he is well deserving of the recognition. Steve has shared that he does this because he, himself grew up in foster care, before CASA’s existence, and wants to pay it forward and give children in foster care what he didn’t have”. SAVMA [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes, savmatucson@gmail.com  For more information: swgas.com, savma.org Southwest Gas wins volunteer award Tucson, Oct. 21 — Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association awarded Southwest Gas Corporation with its Corporate Volunteerism Award. The company’s community outreach efforts will be honored Jan. 16 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. “We are so excited to have been nominated for the Corporate Volunteerism Award by the Diaper Bank this year and really pleased and proud just to even be nominated,” said Lorraine Morgan, public information officer for Southwest Gas. “It’s a big thrill for our employees.” The Diaper Bank of Southern Arizona nominated Southwest for the award because of its dedicated efforts over the years to support the bank, which distributes more than 70,000 diapers a month and relies heavily on volunteers to bundle diapers for distribution. Most recently, [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes, savmatucson@gmail.com  For more information: reidparkzoo.org, savma.org Reid Park Zoo’s ‘crew’ wins volunteer honor Tucson, Nov. 4 — Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association named Reid Park Zoo’s teen volunteer program its top Youth Volunteer Group of the Year. Known as the Zoo Crew, the teens work on zoo grounds and handle different duties, but their primary purpose is to help guests connect with wildlife and learn about the zoo while encouraging a commitment to conservation of biological diversity. “We are so excited to get this award from SAVMA,” said Sierra Horsey, Volunteer Program Coordinator of Reid Park Zoo. “Our teens have worked really hard. Last year they talked to over 30,000 people, and it’s so great to have them recognized for what they are doing in our community.” Reid Park Zoo’s Zoo Crew will be honored Jan. 16 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize [...]

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Jessica Dennes,  savmatucson@gmail.com For more information: Habitattucson.org, savma.org Gina Hansen wins top volunteer administrator award Tucson, Nov. 4— Volunteer Resources Manager, Gina Hansen, is being awarded the Volunteer Administrator of the Year award from the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association. Gina Hansen, the Volunteer Resource Manager for Habitat for Humanity Tucson will be honored Jan. 16, 2020 at the Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association Awards, which recognize all levels of volunteerism including individuals, nonprofits and corporations. Gina has worked with volunteers for over 10 years. According to Patty Peth, a community volunteer who volunteered under Gina and nominated her for this award, “Gina’s commitment to volunteerism and engagement shines through in many ways. From recruiting, training, retention and recognition, Gina really cares for the volunteers she works alongside of and takes great pride in the success of her programs.” “It is an honor to share this [...]

Six Award Winners Who Make a Difference in Southern Arizona! Thousands of volunteers weekly share their skills, time and enthusiasm to hundreds of nonprofits, schools, churches and governments across Southern Arizona. Publicly celebrating them and recognizing the work they do to make our communities happier and healthier is a win-win for all. The Southern Arizona Volunteer Management Association, a professional association promoting excellence in the field of volunteer program management, is pleased to announce six major awards presented to individuals, organizations and groups whose volunteerism or service improve the quality of life in our community. The winners are: Program Volunteer of the Year – Steve Johnson (Court Appointed Special Advocates) Corporate Volunteerism Award – Southwest Gas Corporation Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year – Interfaith Community Services Youth Volunteer Group of the Year - Zoo Crew (Reid Park Zoo) Board Member of the Year – Scott Summerford (Interfaith Community Services) [...]

The deadline to submit nominations for SAVMA Awards in August 16th at 5pm. Don't miss the opportunity to honor and celebrate those who make Southern Arizona shine! 2020 SAVMA Awards celebrate the impact and inspiration of volunteerism across Southern Arizona. Honorees will be recognized on January 16, 2020 at a celebration held at the Grand Ballroom of the Tucson Convention Center. Nominations for the 6 award categories are open from July 1 to August 16, 2019 at 5:00 pm (deadline is absolute!) in the following categories: 1. Program Volunteer of the Year 2. Corporate or Group Volunteerism Award 3. Nonprofit Volunteer Program of the Year 4. Youth Volunteer of the Year - Individual or Group 5. Volunteer Administrator of the Year 6. Board Member of the Year Visit our page to submit your nomination today: https://www.savma.org/2020awardcriteria/