Cleopatra Jones Day...... Making Change One Person at a TIme

Yesterday The Cleopatra Jones Crusade, Inc. (A.K.A "The Crusade") had it's first annual celebration of Cleopatra Jones Day and it was a great success. June 11th was proclaimed by the Westchester County Board of Legislators as Cleopatra Jones Day in remembrance of Cleopatra Jones and her 50 years of service to the community. The day was celebrated by volunteering to make CHANGES: Culture, Health, Arts, Nutrition, Generosity, Education/Environment, and Service a reality in at risk communities.

In Atlanta volunteers attended a meet, greet and eat with the homeless at the Salvation Army Red Shield on Luckie Street. Volunteers participated in a number of tasks such as; feeding the homeless, working in the clothing closet to organize donations, and helping the maintenance crew with minor tasks throughout the building. Everyone learned from each other while participating in the activities and fun was had by staff, volunteers and individuals who are clients in Salvation Army programs.

Networking for collaboration of future events and volunteer opportunities were discussed by "The Crusade" and Salvation Army staff and plans for a meeting to solidify arrangements were made. The event opened doors for organizers to work together to create volunteer opportunities and make change a reality in the nearby community.

"What a great way to honor a great lady and we would love to participate in any other volunteer opportunities offered by this organization." said Alicia Brown, Lead Case Manager at Salvation Army Red Shield.

Criteria for Volunteering

The Cleopatra Jones Crusade, Inc. is a non-profit organization that concentrates it's efforts in bringing awareness to and working in at-risk communities. Many times it is necessary to recruit volunteers to work along with staff on a project in order to obtain the desired impact.

The following are the guidelines for volunteering in the community:

1) Each volunteer should work in the community to make it better and make a positive impact.
2) Each volunteer should choose an agency that has a positive mission statement and vision
3) A volunteer should never work in an agency they feel is not making positive CHANGES in the community.
4) The Cleopatra Jones Crusade does not condone working in any agency that is not promoting a positive impact in the community.
5) The Cleopatra Jones Crusade does not condone violence or explicit acts of violence towards any person
6) The Cleopatra Jones Crusade will not be held liable for any person who volunteers in the community and does not uphold the mission of the crusade.
7) The Cleopatra Jones Crusade is making a suggestion to people to volunteer in the community and people can choose when and where they volunteer.
8) Volunteers freely choose the agency/organization where they will volunteer and the work agreement is between the agency/organization and the volunteer.

Expected Outcomes from volunteering:

1) Volunteers will have a feeling of accomplishment and goodwill
2) The community will receive positive impact from the efforts of the volunteers activity
3) The community and the volunteer will both benefit intrinsically from volunteer activities

It is important for people to volunteer in their communities and make the community better for all the residents of that community. The mission and vision of the Crusade is to create and promote positive CHANGES that will profoundly affect people's lives. Volunteering in the community is not an opportunity to take advantage of anyone but rather to help others change their negative circumstances and grow as human beings. We hope all who volunteer in the community understand their help is needed to make positive change a reality and their behavior should reflect making a positive impact.