Volunteer Action Center becomes an affiliate of HandsOn Network

Feb. 11, 2011 - PRLog -- WINCHESTER, VA (February 10, 2011) – Our Health’s Volunteer Action Center (VAC) is now a mobilization affiliate of the HandsOn Network (HON) , the largest volunteer network in the nation, including 250 HandsOn Action Centers in 16 countries. Stacey Iden, Coordinator of the VAC, applied for the affiliate membership in November 2010. After follow-up interviews with the membership approval team of the HON, Iden was notified on January 28, 2011 with confirmation that her efforts and the qualifications of the VAC were accepted at the mid-level of membership.

Recently renamed, the VAC was established in 2004 as a community resource for volunteers and nonprofit organizations. Iden became the coordinator in 2007 and has facilitated monthly meetings with 29 nonprofit partner organizations, providing guidance and support to their volunteer managers. In recent years, the VAC has promoted National Volunteer Week, which is a campaign supported by HON. The experience intrigued Iden to pursue membership for the VAC to become a HON Action Center. As an Action Center, the VAC will be required to engage its community and volunteers in a number of service days and provide leadership and training to a variety of audiences promoting volunteerism.

Iden shares, “This opportunity elevates the benefit for partner agencies of the Volunteer Action Center. HandsOn Network has many innovative ideas which drive a community to connect and serve each other. Their commitment to making the world a better place aligns with the vision of the Volunteer Action Center-to build a network of volunteers to meet community needs.”

HON is the volunteer-focused arm of Points of Light Institute (POL). POL has three categories of impact: HON, as mentioned, MissionFish works with ebay to generate donations for a user’s preferred nonprofit and CivicIncubator focuses on innovative solutions which drive social change. POL engages in these categories to achieve their vision, where one day, every person will discover their power to make a difference, creating healthy communities in vibrant democracies around the world.*

Our Health is a non-profit community resource, affiliated with Valley Health, which supports agencies in the Northern Shenandoah Valley. Incorporated in 1999, an idea became a reality when a collaborative location became home for several area agencies in downtown Winchester. The campus was further expanded in 2010 when key public service agencies moved into the historically renovated Silver LEED certified Snapp Foundry Building. Our Health continues to create opportunities which elevate community involvement and commitments to the region. Its Volunteer Action Center provides viable services to connect agencies with area volunteers and enhance programs. Please visit their websites at www.ourhealthva.org and www.ohvolunteeractioncenter.org to learn more.
Our Health – Connecting Partners. Serving Community.

*References: www.handsonnetwork.org

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Our Health supports partner agencies to improve the health and well-being of our community by enhancing capacity, fostering collaboration, and improving outcomes. Its Volunteer Action Center provides viable services to connect agencies with area volunteers and enhance programs.