volunteer – INC Giving Project

Ideas for Individuals

Look early for opportunities you can volunteer for or organizations looking for volunteers the weekend of April 7 and 8. Make sure to invite a friend or two to volunteer with you.

Search for organizations in your neighborhood and email them to see how you can help.
Donate to a charity or organization that has impacted your life.
Volunteer your expertise and background to a local organization that needs it. For example – if you work in HR volunteer your resume reviewing skills to a shelter offering the service.
Reach out to organizations you’ve worked with in the past and volunteer your time.
Organize a drive for goods or services to donate a local shelter or organization.

Ideas for Your Local Congregation

Volunteers play a huge part in the services organizations are able to provide in your city. Find out how many volunteers are needed and depending on the size of volunteers, you may need to find several opportunities to give everyone a chance to participate.

Here are some ways your local congregation can participate in the weekend of service:

Contact City Officials to see how you can lead/sponsor a Community Clean Up
Find out what city events are happening in your city and if there is a need for volunteers
Spend quality time with residents of elderly community. Activities include
- Singing for A Cause
- Art of Giving Projects
- Gardening or other group volunteering with organizations that deliver food to seniors, running errands, visiting local seniors
Police/Fire Appreciation Days – Visit your local precinct/stations and bring recognition and treats for the services they provide your community
Coordinate a group volunteer opportunity with a local shelter, food banks, etc that is always in need of volunteers
Coordinate with a community center to sponsor “A Help Up” event for low income communities

How One Idea Impacted 200

Rhea Mae Cabardo, a small business owner and INC Giving volunteer from Omaha, Nebraska was sitting at her desk as usual when she felt a strong pull at her heart that she was supposed to do something for the kids at her sister’s school.

How did you get started?

Literally, that moment when I felt that tug, I contacted the school secretary and told her what I was inspired to do. I then drove over to Oriental Trading Company and spoke to the Marketing Manager. I sent them a follow-up email and within days they had sent me boxes to my house with more than 2000 items. I emailed Google and visited local supermarkets and informed them of what I was doing. I contacted the Universities in the area and all of those I had reached out to was more than willing to donate.

I have a small business marketing company and reached out to all the local small business owners and they were ready and willing to sponsor bags. After putting it on Facebook and Instagram, my friends from all over the world inquired and sent money to sponsor bags as well.

What was the reaction from those you contacted?

They were eager and did not hesitate to give what they could after speaking with them. It was so inspiring to see their hearts and love for children.

How did get in contact with the school?

My sister is the counselor and set up a time for me to talk to the school’s principal.

It snowballed into something amazing, in regards to the response from the community at large.

What was your biggest take away…and what would you say to someone thinking about doing something good for a local school?

My biggest take away is, don’t silence the small voice that’s telling you to be of service. Whether it’s to be of service to one person, 2 people or thousands. Sometimes the doubt is louder than that small voice telling you to do it that good thing. For a brief moment, the doubt kept creeping saying, “someone else will do it, who do you think you are, where are you going to get the money to do this.” But I just prayed and was reminded that if God is part of this, everything will fall into place.

So at the end of December, proudly wearing her INC Giving T-shirt, Rhea delivered about 200 bags for the students of Florence Elementary School. When interviewed about what inspired her, Rhea simply said, “that the community cares about them, they’re thought about and they’re love.”

Rhea’s efforts was featured on KMTV News 3, the Point Forward, a local online publication and the Omaha Public School Newsletter.

Rhea Mae Cabardo works is a small business owner based in Omaha, Nebraska. She often helps with the events of the INCGiving Project in her hometown. She is already making plans to do a similar event this year with another local school

What I Learned from the Kindness Challenge

There is something fulfilling for both parties when an act of kindness is performed. We live in a society where people have taken advantage of generosity. Because of this, less and less people are willing to extend a helping hand.

For this reason, I took part in the #21DayKindnessChallenge. I challenged myself to perform at least one act of kindness to a stranger or someone I appreciate. In the beginning, I felt nervous to put myself out there and introduce myself and the Church. It is not only the recipient who benefits from these acts. As the days went on, I gained confidence. I learned empathy, compassion, and sensitivity. I learned to listen to others and not assume the situations of others. This challenge not only challenged me to be a better person, it made me a better person.

As I look back on my participation, I realize how blessed I truly am. I do not mean blessed in a monetary way, but blessed in being able to have the opportunity to pay it forward. I have bought coffee for the person behind me in line. I have written inspirational messages and left sticky notes in the female bathroom at school.

On day 10, I donated to the Ronald McDonald House Charities.

This charity helps keep families close to their sick children. As a Children’s Worship Service Teacher, children have a soft spot in my heart. I donated on behalf of the INCGiving Project because it was important for me to tie my choice with the goodness of the Church.

On day 12, I went beyond a standard 15-20% tip because as a former waitress, I understand the importance (and dependence) of a tip. Day 18 — I donated to a nearby homeless shelter. I received an unexpected direct deposit when I needed it the most. I couldn’t keep the blessing to myself, so I thanked God in a way I know He’d want; I helped those in need. I received a list of goods needed by men and women from a homeless shelter and checked off all the hygiene products needed. I threw in some extra stuff I use daily and knew others would need as well. It’s knowing the donations will be put to good use and knowing the recipients are genuinely thankful, that makes me feel happy to do it.

What I have in abundance, is scarce to someone in need.

Seeing this first hand motivates me to continue beyond 21 days. I thank the Church Administration for constantly molding me into a better person.

If someone were on the fence about participating in the challenge, I would tell them to start. Starting is always the most challenging part, but seeing the results are what is most fulfilling. Seeing the unity from different parts of the world also participating will make you feel part of a larger movement as well. It takes a moment, but the effect it has on someone makes a lasting imprint.

Click here to learn more about the #21DayKindnessChallenge.

Cassandra Gallion is an INCGiving volunteer from Bristol, Connecticut. She embraces the chance to help make someone’s day better. She is an active member of her school and neighborhood community, as well as a member of the Church Of Christ. She firmly believes it is her Christian duty to lend a helping hand.

21 Day Kindness Challenge

Starting February 1st, check out the kindness challenge of each day and post about it with #INCGiving #21DaysKindnessChallenge.

Complete the 21-Day Challenge and be featured, here. Challenge accepted?

Top Ten Episodes 2016

And here we are: Top Ten INCGiving Show Webisodes & Blog posts list of 2016!

Compiling this special list has helped The INCGiving Show team reflect on so much goodness in 2016. We really enjoyed looking back and remembering all of the great work that was featured on the show- and we especially were moved at the impact done by volunteers to those reached by the INCGiving Project.

The Top 10 List was compiled through several factors, which include number of views/statistics; social media shares; the feedback and stories from our viewers, readers and volunteer organizers; and also our own personal favorites. So although this list is not solely based on analytics, each episode that made the list was chosen with the intention to offer powerful insights and strategies to your INCGiving planning as you move into the new year.

If you have missed one of these episodes, make sure to watch by the end of January!

One last note: Of course NONE of this would be possible without the support of our beloved Church Administration, and the hard work of the Social Development Committees of the Christian Family Organizations for continuing to schedule the project for volunteers throughout the world. We also want to thank the District Multimedia Bureaus for documenting the journey and asking the questions that help us get to the heart of the matter each time we step out there to do good to those who need it.

So (cue the drumroll please…..) here they are: Top 10 INCGiving Episodes (and blogs) for 2016.

photo_2017-01-04_17-07-53 — #10: “Volunteers Team Up With Habitat For Humanity” Cocoa Beach, Florida (Season 3 – Episode 14)

Read the post here: incgiving.org

View the full Feature here: YouTube or INCMEDIA.org

The gist: INC volunteers from Cocoa Beach, Florida partnered with Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity to volunteer in the construction of homes for the less fortunate.

Why did this make the list?

This was the first official partnership of the INCGiving Project with an international organization such as Habitat for Humanity – the organization that works to build strength, stability and self-reliance through shelter.

Our Cocoa Beach INCGiving volunteers gave us that inside look to the process of sharing a few Saturday hours with families actually building their own homes. To be exact: a selected team of 11 volunteers (with their families cheering them on from the sidelines) did good to three different families and three newly constructed homes.

If you’re planning on when to wear your INCGiving shirt in 2017, consider experiencing building a home with Habitat for Humanity– which has a huge need for volunteers.

photo_2017-01-04_17-03-44 — #9: “Keeping OKC Beautiful” Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (Season 4 – Episode 2)

Read the post here: incgiving.org

View the full Feature here: YouTube or incmedia.org

The gist: INC volunteers help keep the streets of Oklahoma City beautiful and introduce the Church of Christ to their neighbors

Why did it make the list?

One volunteer caught our ears and our hearts: Heather Blaylock. Sister Heather joined the Iglesia Ni Cristo in early 2016 – and already shared solid INC pride as she beautified the streets of Oklahoma that day.

“When you finally see the truth it’s just a wonderful feeling and you realize all the blessings that you’re given on a daily basis from God. I think that’s a big part of the reason why we got out into the neighborhood, because we wanted to share that with everybody.”–INCGIVING Volunteer Heather Blaylock

City Clean-ups are a standard practice for members of the Church of Christ. In 2016, more happened than were documented and we are grateful to the Multimedia Bureau in Southern Midwest for providing full coverage for their clean-up – which allowed all of us to meet Sister Heather.

photo_2017-01-04_17-03-39 — #8: “Uplifted & Much Appreciated: A Teacher’s Perspective” Sunbury, London, England (Season 4 – Blog post 8)

Read the post here: incgiving.org

A related post: From the Student’s Perspective here: incgiving.org

View the full Feature: YouTube or INCMEDIA.org

The gist: A Nursery School Teacher shares her experience as an esteemed guest at the annual Teacher’s Appreciation Day in Heathrow, United Kingdom.

Why it made the list: Admittedly, we would have loved to have heard this lovely teacher’s description of her experience at Teacher’s Appreciation Day in her lovely British accent on video.

But we’re extremely thankful that she took the time on her summer holiday to write-up her experience.

“As a teacher of primary-aged children, it was refreshing to see a young person speaking so passionately and articulately.”– Ms. Louise Cowley

What were the young INC students speaking so passionately about? Head over to the blog to check it out. Check out the feature to see them singing passionately too.

Teacher’s Appreciation Day is a staple activity of the INCGiving Project– we have been sponsoring luncheons and awards ceremonies in their honor since 2011. Heathrow, London, UK has consistently held this activity every year since it started.

We can’t wait to see how teachers will be appreciated and uplifted in 2017.

photo_2017-01-04_17-03-37 — #7: “The Station for Appreciation” Anaheim, California (Season 3 – Episode 13 )

View the feature here: YouTube or incmedia.org

The gist: Congregations of the INC have hosted Police & Firefighter Appreciation Days throughout 2016. See how officers of the Anaheim PD wanted to pay it forward, by preparing an act of kindness for the INC congregation in return.

Why it made the list: We are all about recognizing those who serve. Throughout the USA and around the world INCGiving volunteers have packed up lunches and goodie bags, certificates and plaques to boost the morale of law enforcement and fire safety officials.

The fact that the Anaheim Police Department was so touched that they took the time out of their busy days to come back to say “thank you” for our “thank you”? –That just makes it feel like the most awesome game of gratitude tag.

If you are ever in Anaheim, don’t forget to take a photo with their special thank you plaque and hashtag it #incgiving.

photo_2017-01-04_17-03-34 — #6: “Kind Kids – Jaelyn Isip” Virginia Beach, VA (Season 3 – Episode 10)

View the full Feature here: YouTube or incmedia.org

The gist: At an early age, Jaelyn has learned the gift of giving by participating in INCGiving Project activities with her family. You will see this 8-year-old’s desire to share kindness of her own, in a special way.

Why it made the list: Kids always make the list with INCGiving! This little darling is surrounded by great examples of generosity and kindness- and at her young age, she knew she could choose to do good to others, too. In this story, we watch how she discovered a way that would work for her.

We can’t wait to see what other things Jaelyn, her family and all the other INCKids will be up to in 2017.

photo_2017-01-04_17-03-32 — #5: “The Hope Brigade” Baton Rouge, LA (Season 4 – Episode 5)

View the full Feature here: incmedia.org

The gist: Over 60,000 homes in Louisiana were damaged or destroyed by terrible floods. Volunteers from the Southeastern United States region teamed together to lend a helping hand to flood victims in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and bring a message of hope.

Why it made the list: When horrible things happen on US soil- the whole world watches.

When these catastrophes take place within reach of the INCGiving project volunteers- we are there to lend a helping hand or a hug of hope.

The 2016 flood statistics were historic. Everyone affected had the contents of their homes out on the sidewalks. Regardless of stature, income, or age- all people in the flood damaged areas had to part ways with the contents of their homes. Their lives were changed.

INCGiving volunteers throughout neighboring states were organized quickly. The relief efforts on the ground helped provide hope to those who were reached. For those of us watching the story unfold we realized more contentment for what we have.

photo_2017-01-04_17-03-30 — #4: Giving in Action: Dianne C. Lorido, Leadership Scholarship Sponsor (Season 3 – Episode 12)

View the full Feature here: YouTube or INCMedia.org

The gist: Watch how a young professional uses education to share her faith.

Why it made the list: Dianne C. Lorido is a young woman already finding ways to give back.

Many members of the Church of Christ could match her description: Loyal to her faith, disciplined in her studies, committed to serving God with many duties and offices in the Church, respectful to her parents and the role in her family, and decorated with honors and certificates of achievement at such an early age in life.

Yet, Dianne made time to accomplish one more item that no one actually expected of her- she set out to share the fruits of her labors to those like her, those in the pursuit of their educational aspirations.

Not many of us get the chance to speak on a platform to an audience of our peers, and when this young lady did – not only did she do the expected, which is that she inspired her listeners and expressed gratitude for those who have helped her along her journey. Dianne did the ultra-expected – she proudly proclaimed her membership in the Church of Christ as the number one factor to her success in life.

We could watch that triumphant moment on replay all day.

photo_2017-01-04_17-03-27 — #3: “Giving the Gift of Life” Continental Blood Drive, North America (Season 3 – Episode 11) Read the post here: incgiving.org

Read the post here: incgiving.org

View the full Feature here: YouTube or incmedia.org

The gist: In cooperation with the Felix Y. Manalo Foundation, thousands of Church of Christ members throughout 137 sites of the United States and Canada partnered with local organizations to donate blood and sign up to be a part of the bone marrow registry.

Why it made the list: This was the highest turnout and most organized effort to date for a blood drive sponsored by the Church of Christ. Check out the coverage in the feature- there’s so much to be proud of!

This effort also included the bone marrow registry drive, and we at the INCGiving Show team are inspired by one of our own young sisters and her brave battle.

photo_2017-01-04_17-03-23 — #2: “Finding Refuge From the Fire” Alberta, Canada (Season 3 – Episode 7) Read the different posts here: Lac la biche outreach outreach more outreach helping Fort McMurray

Read the different posts here: Lac la biche outreach outreach more outreach helping ft mcmurray

View the full Feature here: YouTube or incmedia.org

The gist: Nearly 100,000 Canadians in Alberta were forced to leave their homes and belongings behind as wildfire spread to Fort McMurray and its surrounding areas. After, it was said to have destroyed more than 1,600 homes and buildings, and the calamity forced residents into evacuation homes and searching for shelter. But for nearly 70 members of the Church of Christ, they fled to God, and found refuge in the comfort of their brothers and sisters in the faith.

Why it made the list: This type of natural disaster is absolutely terrifying. Seeing the fire engulfing entire communities would make one do a double take, Certainly this cannot be happening? The blazes look too much like what is forewarned to happen on the day of judgment.

But these stories of survival and gratitude are real. And the effort to help victims is heart-warming and in high volume.

There’s real faith in action – from the reaction of the survivors to the efforts of the INCGiving volunteers to come to their aid.

photo_2017-01-04_17-03-20 — #1: “INCGiving Project Launched in South Dakota” (Season 3 –Episode 2)

Read the post here: incgiving.org

View the full Feature here: YouTube or incmedia.org

The gist: The INCGiving Project in South Dakota was launched on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation near the Local Congregation of Scenic. Along with winter items, see how residents of Kyle, South Dakota received the words of God to warm their souls.

Why it made the list: All eyes have been on Scenic, South Dakota since 2011, when it made major news that the town was purchased by the Iglesia Ni Cristo.

The INCGiving Show got to deliver the beautiful news first of the first worship service and Bible studies held in Scenic, South Dakota earlier in 2016. The curiosity and excitement of the INC members was evident, this was the most shared and most watched episode in 2016.

We are inspired especially by the faith and intentions of volunteer Fred White who is working hard to do good in the town and neighboring towns of Scenic:

“Rural America knows nothing about the [Church of Christ]. So [INCGiving] is a great tool to propagate all over the world let alone in a rural area that can say yeah, we’re ranchers and farmers 20 miles from civilization and we know about the Church of Christ.” –Volunteer Fred White, Scenic, South Dakota

2016 has truly been a blessed year full of many milestones and accomplishments. For the first time INCGiving reached out to those in need in Milan, Italy. We partnered with more organizations to provide the volunteers. We appreciated many neighborhoods throughout North America.

As we move onward to further victories in 2017, we are grateful for all the INCGiving coordinators, volunteers and partnering organizations that help us each continue to do good to those who need it.

Bringing Stories To Life

15-year-old Mark Legaspi spent his recent vacation volunteering as part of the Pohnpei Public Library Summer Reading Program.

“A few of us from the local congregation of Pohnpei and the Group Worship Service in Pohnrakied (a nearby village) were asked to help at the library during their reading hour for kids.“

#INCGiving volunteers helped put together masks representing characters different stories read in the program.

This year’s theme for the annual Summer Program was “On Your Mark, Get Set, Read,” which aimed to encourage children from grades K-5 to 8^th Grade to explore and borrow books, and improve their reading levels significantly. Over 118 participants participated in the 4-week program where they were able to learn songs, crafts, and other educational activities along with the joy of reading.

**An #INCGiving volunteer works with a couple of the children on their masks.**

“We were very excited to act out the characters in the story and be able to help the kids to understand the story better and to just have fun. A day before, we gathered and prepared the props and background for our skit. It was a very fun experience especially seeing the kids engaged and smiling. Afterwards we helped them make their own masks and did a few music activities with them.”

**An INCGiving volunteer with some of the children participating in the summer reading program.**

screen-shot-2016-11-03-at-5-43-04-pm — **INCGiving volunteers and young children from the community show off their masks. The masks along, with other arts and crafts projects, were used to communicate the stories more clearly.**

“I think it is important for us to be able to always help our community especially the young generation. It is a nice feeling to make them smile and to hopefully make a difference in their lives. Through this we hope to also make known to them our church.”

INCGiving volunteers in Pohnpei continue to find different projects to help the community. Just a few months ago, they helped restore and renovate the Ohwa Village school library.

Contributed by: Mark Legaspi and Brother Scott Augustin

A Box Of Hope

One by one, I watched the students walk into the dimly lit room and one by one I watched them exit with an armful of snacks and smiles on their faces. The snack closet volunteer revealed that this school, located about a half hour outside of Oklahoma City, is one of many schools across the state that have a food pantry available for their children. For many of these children the only complete meal they eat is at school from the free lunch program making the weekends difficult and often uncertain when it comes to food. Teachers identify students that come to school hungry and they are given items from the food pantry before they are sent home over the weekend.

This was my first exposure to the rural Oklahoma school system and it seemed a world away from Oklahoma City, the state’s capital where I lived for over half of my life. It presented me with two new understandings about the state: these are the farms that people picture when they think of Oklahoma and poverty is a very real problem even for the very young.

As I played through in my mind the cycle of poverty and hunger considered normal for these children, I found that one piece of the cycle was still a little unclear: a source. Perusing past the snack closet, “The Regional Food Bank” was posted across each box. I looked it up. The Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma website boasted:

They are the largest non-profit food bank in Oklahoma,
They have over twelve hundred feeding programs across the state from homeless shelters, soup kitchens, to school food pantries much like the one I was at.

Everything started making more sense and ironically our local was set to volunteer at the food bank a few Saturdays later. The murky waters of this food supply was being unearthed and quickly brought into the light.

Early on a Saturday morning, I rolled out of bed clad in my INCGiving shirt and closed-toed shoes ready for the unknown. The information we received in our emails said we’d be “bagging and boxing food.” Upon arriving, I checked in our local congregation for our shift and geared up for our station. After a demonstration from one of the coordinators we took off sorting crates of donations, boxing, weighing, labelling.

Our group was definitely the loudest of the hundreds of other volunteers and groups there that Saturday. How, you ask? How can you be loud in an assembly line of bagging and boxing? Our station was filled with laughter, chatter and smiles. The spirit of brotherly love shining through the early Saturday morning fatigue and the local congregation united for a cause that was close to the community, close to home, and close to my heart.

The recurring theme throughout the Regional Food Bank of Oklahoma and the various programs they lead is “Fighting Hunger…Feeding Hope.” I have heard about the Regional Food Bank, I have seen their posters, I have even volunteered previously; but this year I had the opportunity to see the direct line of who these efforts are helping. It’s more than a tray of cookies or a box of cereal. It really is hope. In that same hope I have a new-found trust in something I cannot see. It is with that hope united with faith and love that we continue to reach out, an endeavor that is always guided by the Church Administration. I can only hope to be an instrument in good works to shine as a light anywhere, from the “big” city buzz to even the slower-paced regions like here in rural Oklahoma.

Contributed by Sharron Vaughn, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

Building Dreams

On April 23, 2016, members of the Church from the local congregation of Cocoa Beach, FL, in partnership with Southeast Volusia Habitat for Humanity, converged in Edgewater, FL, to volunteer in the construction of houses for the less fortunate. Some brethren had to drive more than two hours to get to the build site but their enthusiasm never waned. They were eager to volunteer to help build future homes for deserving families. To ensure the utmost safety, only eleven INC Giving volunteers were pre-selected to work in the construction site but this did not deter the families of the INC Giving volunteers from coming and cheering on their loved ones as they went to work.

After a safety briefing and introduction by the Site Manager, Ray Allnutt, the INC Giving volunteers were divided into three groups to work on three houses in various stages of construction.

On House #1, the volunteers were tasked with installing 10 windows, which they finished in just over an hour, to the astonishment of HFH crew.

Meanwhile, on House #2, three volunteers were nailing together hurricane braces on the roof rafters, working courageously despite the height that they had to deal with.

On the last house, House #3, the volunteers installed siding.

From 8:00am to 12 noon, the INC Giving volunteers labored on and enjoyed working with the regular HFH volunteers

Ray Allnut, HFH Site Manager stated, ” I was amazed how fast they installed all the windows. What normally takes 8 hours to install with the volunteers’ remarkable teamwork they finished the job in less than 2 hours! All I can say, they did a really wonderful job and I hope that they all come back for future builds. “

Courtney Williams, one of the future homeowners, expressed her appreciation: “I am so glad you all came here on a fine Saturday morning to help out. You could be with your family enjoying quality time but I am so amazed at all your dedication in coming here and helping us out build our future homes. ”

A dream of having one’s own house is very hard to achieve but with the efforts of the INC Giving volunteers, they are one step closer to making that dream a reality for deserving families.

Contributor: Brother Carlos Ravina Jr., Cocoa Beach, Florida

On-Going Efforts in Alberta, Canada

Over 2000 relief bags were delivered to evacuees of the Fort McMurray Wildfire, a relief effort launched through the guidance and leadership of the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.

The day began with over 200 Iglesia Ni Cristo members from Edmonton, Canada travelling two hours to one of the evacuation centers in Lac La Biche. Afterwards, the members travelled thirty minutes to the White Sands Campground and delivered relief bags to the 400 evacuees currently staying there. But this wasn’t the end of their day. Before finishing the day, these 200 volunteers, some of whom had already spent the previous day packing the relief bags, made one last stop at the Boyle Arena in Boyle, Alberta. Here, they delivered goods to over 500 evacuees.