This month's events: 125 Ways of Caring

As part of its anniversary celebration, the university is asking each of the 40,000 faculty and staff members to spend a day volunteering in a community project. The theme for November's projects is Homeless--Food and Caring. To get involved in these or other ongoing projects, or to set up your own, log on to: www.jhu.edu/~125th/volunteer.

Nov. 7-13. 125 Ways of Caring event: Random Acts of Kindness Week. Use your imagination, and remember that small gestures can make a big difference in someone's life. University Administration.

Nov. 17. 125 Days of Caring event: YWCA business clothing drive. To provide clothing for men and women through the YWCA's job development programs that provide clerical training and refresher skill reinforcement for the unemployed and underemployed. There are five collection sites around the Homewood and East Baltimore campuses. University Administration.

Through Nov. 15. 125 Ways of Caring event: Butterball turkey program. Help provide Thanksgiving dinner to families in need by donating $15 for a gift certificate with which a family can purchase a Butterball turkey. To participate send a $15 check to Eden Blum, Office of Faculty, Staff and Retiree Programs, Evergreen House, third floor. University Administration.

November, date TBD. 125 Ways of Caring event: Thanksgiving lunch/dinner with senior citizens. Volunteers needed to supervise and help with food preparation and cleanup. Corporate Services, Community Health & Services, Johns Hopkins Health System.

Nov. 29-30. 125 Ways of Caring event: Red Cross blood drive at Homewood campus. Volunteers are needed prior to the drive to distribute advertising material and on the days of the drive to assist with donor registration. University Administration.

Through Dec. 19. 125 Ways of Caring event: Adopt-A-Family/Agency Program. Individuals or departments are encouraged to adopt a family identified as "in need" by the Baltimore City Department of Social Services or to adopt an agency identified by the United Way. Participants are provided with names and ages of children and/or wish lists for the agencies and are requested to coordinate the collection of gifts, clothing and food to be distributed to the family or agency. University Administration.

A sampling of ongoing activities

Periodic during 2000-2002. 125 Ways of Caring event: Urban Forest Initiative, a volunteer-based effort to preserve an at-risk urban forest/woodlands in Baltimore City--a greenbelt connector between Druid Hill Park and Cylburn Park, under the threat of multiple proposed developments and environmental degradation. The Urban Forest Initiative is forming as a Land Trust to preserve, protect and nurture this 100-acre wildlife habitat and has opportunities for urban farmers/gardeners and designers to create a sanctuary of city wilderness. Projects include a trail system, berry nursery/plantings, tree nursery and reforestation, invasive vine and nonnative plant removal, trash removal and celebrations. Some volunteer assistance also is needed for a nearby middle school's Environmental Club. Center for Social Organization of Schools.

Year-round. 125 Ways of Caring event: Knitting for Children. Several Johns Hopkins medical facilities accept knit items for babies and children. Help by knitting--e.g., caps for newborns--and coordinating collections of knit items to be donated. Montgomery County Center, School of Professional Studies in Business and Education.

Year-round. 125 Ways of Caring event: Welfare to Work Grant. Provides education, job readiness and life skills training to program participants. Volunteers needed to serve as mentors. Human Resources, University Administration.