I work with a large number of volunteers on a yearly basis to help manage a 4-H Youth Development program within the county. A few years ago, I came across this volunteer caring kit and thought it was a neat recognition idea. Hope you can use it for your organizations!
- Paper Clips: Paper clips have many uses, just like each volunteer has many talents. Paper clips are also used to hold the 4-H program together and provide guidance to youth.
- Rubber Bands: Rubber bands represent the flexibility that all volunteers need to have. You can adapt to any different situation. As volunteers, you can also stretch your own abilities to have new opportunities.
- Band Aids: Band aids help others and are sensitive to others feelings, just as volunteers have to be keyed-in to the feelings of those they work with.
- Coin: This coin represents a quarter to call and ask for help and to remind you that you are not alone.
- Paper Bill: This money calculates the contribution that volunteers make to the 4-H program through their donation of time.
- Balloon: This balloon expands and grows as you learn from others.
- Heart Sticker: This heart represents the ability to reach out to youth. You care about our youth and what they are doing.
- Mint: This mint represents the fact that each of you is worth a mint. You are very special and really make a difference.
- Lifesavers: Lifesavers represent the special contribution to the 4-H program that each of you makes and emphasized that each of us are unique and different just like the rainbow color of lifesavers and that there is a place in 4-H for everyone.
- Hershey Kiss: This kiss represents a big thank-you from the many kids whose lives you have touched over the years. I compiled all of these items in ziploc bags and photocopied the "instructions of the caring kit" and each volunteer received a small token.
Tina Veal