The mission and activities of the Program are highly dependent on the hundreds of volunteers who donate thousands of hours throughout the year. A variety of opportunities exist for volunteers, and many skills are needed to accomplish the wide spectrum of tasks required to complete the mission of the Program.
Most of the needed volunteer hours are divided between activities at the warehouse, in Park City, on food runs, or at the rug show.
Following is a list of activities available for current and new volunteers.

SALT LAKE WAREHOUSE (328 West Gregson Avenue)

Regular volunteer days are held at the warehouse on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. as well as occasional Saturdays. Activities include such things as packing food boxes, filling backpacks for school children, creating Christmas stockings, packing Grandma and Grandpa boxes, and many more things. Although activities are always taking place on the designated days there may be days where particular activities and needs occur.

The warehouse is centrally located just off I15 in the Salt Lake Valley. See the Map for details. It is also just a ten minute walk from the Millcreek (33rd South) TRAX station.

• Friday Sep 10: Regular ongoing activities.
• Saturday Sep 11 8:00 a.m. to noon: This is the first of two Saturdays where we will pack food boxes for the upcoming food runs. Lots of help is needed for this effort so please come if you can.
• Tuesday Sep 14: Regular ongoing activities.
• Friday Sep 17: Regular ongoing activities.
• Saturday Sep 18 8:00 a.m. to noon: This is the second of two Saturdays where we will pack food boxes for the upcoming food runs. Lots of help is needed for this effort so please come if you can.
• Tuesday Sep 21: Regular ongoing activities.
• Friday Sep 24: Load vehicles for the Dilkon-Leupp-Birdsprings food run.

VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES IN PARK CITY:

Volunteers are needed to help with the administrative and operating tasks of the program on a regular basis. Volunteer days are held on occasional Mondays and Thursdays. Please contact Wendy Sanborn or call her at 801-243-2295 to be placed on an email list of upcoming activities.

FOODRUNS:

One of the principal purposes of the Program is to provide food, clothing and supplies to Elders on the reservation. This is carried out primarily through the Semi-annual Foodruns held in the spring and fall.

Dates for the fall food runs are as follows:

• August 24-26: Oljato-Navajo Mountain
• September 11&18: Pack food boxes for remaining food runs.
• September 24: Mandatory drivers' meeting.
• September 24-25: Load vehicles for Dilkon-Leupp-Birdsprings.
• Sept 28-Oct 1: Dilkon-Leupp-Birdsprings
• October 1-2: Load vehicles for Many Farms-Tsaile-Pinon.
• October 5-9: Many Farms-Tsaile-Pinon
• October 8: Load vehicles for Sanders-Teesto-Big Mountain.
• October 10-14: Sanders-Teesto-Big Mtn.

Click here to download a food run driver's application.

For a brief glimpse of what a food run is like, you can view a slide show of pictures from a food run to Many Farms.

To read about two volunteers' experiences at their first food run click here or here.

RUG SHOW:

Planning is underway for the 21st annual rug show to be held Nov. 12th-14th, 2010. Many volunteers are needed to make this event the success it has always been. The rug show is one of the most important ways we have to provide benefits to Elders and their families.

If you are interested in helping in the planning and preparation for the show, or in volunteering at the show itself, please contact Marilyn Boschetto at 435-649-7561 or email her. You may also download the rug show volunteer form which you can fill out and return to her.

Upcoming dates related to the show are:

• September 15th Wednesday: Rug show planning meeting, 5:30 p.m. Location: Park City Community Church.
• October 28th Thursday: Rug show planning meeting, 5:30 p.m. Location: Park City Community Church.

SPECIAL EVENTS

During the summer months the Program participates in a number of special events at which we sell rugs and jewelry on behalf of the Elders. Volunteers are needed to help staff the following events:

• September 11 Saturday at the Central City Rec Center 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.: ANE volunteer Masuda Medcalf has organized a Zumbathon dance event. View the flyer here. All proceeds will benefit ANE.

If you would be able to help at any of these events or have questions, please email Wendy Sanborn or call her at 801-243-2295.

OTHER VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES:

The Program is always looking for volunteers with special skills. At present we have needs for the following:

• People who could write to organizations to obtain donations (clothing, food, medical companies for samples, etc.) for delivery to the Elders.
• Volunteers with secretarial and clerical skills to help write letters and correspondence to Elders and support people.
• Graphic designer for Program brochures and various graphics projects.
• Sponsors for small rug shows in local areas.
• Individuals who are interested in providing special health care needs for our Homebound and Forgotten Elders.
• Volunteers who can work to promote awareness for the Program activities.
• Experienced fund raisers willing to donate services.

If you would like to help us in any of these areas please call 801-474-0535 or email.