People Helping People

The Unity of Columbus Resource Group for the Homeless is seeking compassionate volunteers who would like to help serve and uplift members of our homeless community. This group is dedicated to sharing kindness, resources, and support with individuals who may be experiencing difficult circumstances. Anyone with a heart for service is welcome to join us as we work together to make a positive difference in the lives of others. Community members are also invited to contribute by bringing helpful items for those in need. Donations of items can be contributed at the meeting and will be distributed to assist members of the homeless community. Please consider joining us and sharing this opportunity with friends, family, or associates who may also wish to help. Learn more about Unity of Columbus at www.unityofcolumbus.org or call (614) 267-4959. Together we can extend compassion, dignity, and support to our community. 💛

Do toxic people weigh you down? Affect your happiness? How can having toxic relationships affect your Health? And moreover, how can you spot them before it’s too late? Attend this in-person meeting to find out how to spot these people and remove their negative emotions from your life. This event is hosted by The Dianetics and Scientology Life Improvement Center in Central Ohio.

Some trained COUNT volunteers work together once a month at RMH (http://www.rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer.php) as Housewarmers (usually on the 1st Sunday from 1 – 5 PM). Some schedule other shifts at their convenience. You may try this out with less fuss by following a "Fast track" or go through the normal process. Fast track • Arrange a time to shadow a COUNT volunteer. Call Dave Nohle at 614-268-9558 (cell). • Show up and try it out. • Complete application, etc. later. Normal process • Complete an online application (http://rmhc-centralohio.org/volunteer/). • Attend orientation in advance. • At orientation you will complete forms agreeing to keep family/patient info private and allowing a background check and tour the facility. • Complete one training shift. Daily shifts are: morning 9 AM - 1 PM, afternoon 1 - 5 PM and evening 5 - 9 PM. • Schedule shifts online using the on the RMH scheduling system (http://www.volgistics.com/ex/portal.dll/?FROM=32895). The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) provides housing and meals for families with sick children. The Columbus RMH is the largest in the world with 137 rooms. COUNT has been volunteering there since May 2014. Housewarmers work with RMH guests to provide a home-like environment - greet, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with checkin/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean facility, laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk. RMH Housewarmers volunteer at least one four-hour shift a month. All Housewarmers must complete an application and agree to a background check before they can be full fledged volunteers.

Let’s read and discuss The Wedding People by Allison Espach. This is the description: The Wedding People is a 2024 novel by Alison Espach about Phoebe Stone, a woman who arrives at a Newport wedding weekend intending to end her life but is mistaken for a guest, leading to unexpected connections with the wedding party, particularly the bride, and a journey of healing and new beginnings. The book blends humor with serious themes like grief and depression, following Phoebe as she forms surprising friendships and finds a new path forward, becoming a New York Times bestseller and a "Read with Jenna" pick. This is the menu to 3 Brothers Diner: https://3brothersdinerpowell.toast.site/order/3-brothers-diner-powell-345-west-olentangy-street

Come assist Van Buren Shelter (https://ymcacolumbus.org/locations/vanburen) staff in serving dinners and cleaning up on the 3rd Tuesday of each month. Dinner for the women is 5-6 pm and for the families is 6:15-7:15 pm. There is ample free parking available in the shelter's lot. The recommended area to park is in green in the image above. There will be a new entrance for the time being. We are asking all volunteers to enter through the Donation Dock door, the orange mark on the image above. This door is located between the Single Adults and Family Shelter. You will see 2 large garage doors with a large green trash compactor in the center. Please head to the closest garage door to the building wall, with a ramp leading up. There, you will see a door with a sign stating instructions on how to enter the building. Please ring the doorbell, and a staff member will come and escort you into the building. If a staff member takes longer than 5 minutes, please call the front desk at 614-689-2020. This is a new process for us, and we do not want to keep you waiting! We appreciate your patience as we navigate this temporary change. The shelter needs a volunteer count the day before the event so sign-up ends Monday at 4:50 PM. Afterwards some of us go to the Omnipresent Atheists Weekly Meetup in progress to have a bit to eat or drink (http://www.meetup.com/omnipresentatheists/). Volunteers must be 14 or older. Since we will be working around families, the YMCA does not permit volunteering by individuals with convictions for violent or sexual crimes. The YMCA reserves the right to run background checks on volunteers. For questions, comment on this page or contact: Andrew, awhit12@yahoo.com, (614)937-5802 (cell). Please let Andrew know if you volunteer anytime other than our COUNT events so that he can count your hours toward our service record.

Early-bird coffee and conversation at [Grandview Grind](https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063534163841)!

***LOVE SOUP?*** Souper Heroes is back! Folks donate homemade soups and we get to sample and vote on our favorite! Now, put a donation in the collection (or Venmo). Suggested donation to local food pantry: $5+ (depending on how many samples you enjoy) ### April 23: “Spring Fling” As spring starts to bloom, Souper Heroes will embrace fresh, vibrant flavors with the “Spring Fling” event in April. This is your chance to dive into the season with soups that are as colorful and lively as spring itself. Bold ingredients, bright flavors, and a touch of creativity will make this event the perfect celebration of renewal and growth. ### How It Works **Soup Makers:** Bring your A-game (and your pre-heated slow cooker) filled with your best soup. You’ll be serving samples to attendees who are ready to fall in love with your creation. Registration is open now! **Soup Eaters:** For a small donation (cash or Venmo), you can taste up to 15 soups and vote for your favorite in the People’s Choice Award. The host location will supply all the essentials: extension cords, soup cups, spoons, napkins, and even cup carriers. *Plus, bread and beverages will be on hand to round out the experience.* [Seventh Son](https://www.seventhsonbrewing.com/) brings delicious beer to the city and state that we love—Columbus, Ohio—and offers a unique taproom space to enjoy with our friends and neighbors. Food trucks, live plants, good music, excellent people, award-winning beers, and cocktails.