The Season of Caring

‘Tis the season of caring! Why not show that gratitude through acts of kindness. If you’re looking to build up some good karma this holiday season, there are plenty of places nearby that will not only have you feeling good but doing good too!

ON BASE/POST:

Landstuhl Fisher House(s)

As huge supporters of the armed services, Zachary and Elizabeth Fisher started building Fisher Houses in 1990. Their goal was to create a home away from home for families while their active duty member received medical care in the hospital.

The Landstuhl Fisher Houses have supported more than 17 thousand families. Although there is a small staff, Fisher House relies heavily on volunteers and material donations from the community. Volunteers are organized into four teams to offer variety based on what you’re comfortable with: The Home Team, The Meals Team, The Baking Team, and Ambassadors.

This holiday season, Fisher House continues to request donations and volunteer time from members of the community. Visit www.fisherhouse-landstuhl.org for more information or for questions regarding volunteering, email volunteerlfh@gmail.com.

Baumholder Community
Spouses Club

The Baumholder Community Spouses Club is promoting their Angel Tree. Last year they collected over two thousand toys that were distributed to more than 200 kids. This program collects toys and various gifts to be given to families and children throughout the community during the holiday season.

If you would like to participate, simply select a tag from the tree. Information about the child or children as well as gift preferences will be listed. Once the gift has been purchased be sure to place the toy or toys, with the original tag attached, in one of the boxes near the tree. Trees will be up until 11 December and gifts will be distributed on 15 December.

Volunteers are always welcome to help make tags, put up trees, as well as picking up, sorting, and distributing toys.

For additional information, message the BCSC Facebook page.

USO

The holidays are a busy time and there is no exception for the USO. If you truly want to stay local and prefer to give back to the immediate community, the USO Kaiserslautern has a variety of opportunities.

Beyond standard volunteering (which is always welcome), this holiday season our local USO will need help with events happening at the Warrior Center, the Ramstein Passenger Terminal, and deployment centers. Starting at 11 a.m. on December 9, be sure to visit the USO where kids of all ages can have their photo taken with Santa! This free event also includes opportunities for kids to get involved with the Read to Connect program. Children between grades one and four can create an early Christmas present by recording their favorite books and sending them to their families or friends all over the world. If you cannot attend the event, the opportunity to participate in the Read to Connect program is also available by appointment through on-post libraries.

Additionally, the USO will be distributing cookies on Christmas Day as a part of their annual Cookie Drop project. Volunteers are needed to distribute cookies to service members who are working the holiday.

If you are interested in volunteering or helping out, sign-up online at volunteers.uso.org. Orientations happen every week. Locations and times vary. All events are posted online with specific details. For more information, visit their website at www.kaiserslautern.uso.org, or check out their Facebook at www.facebook.com/kaiserslautern.uso

OFF BASE/POST:

Almost fifty percent of the population in the state of Rheinland-Pfalz volunteers in some way. Many, if not most, of the volunteer opportunities within the KMC area and nearly all organizations have staff members who speak English. If you’re looking to give back to the community that so kindly gives to you, you can find some options below as well as more choices on the website www.welcome-to-rlp.org/home-away-from-home/

Atlantic Academy Rheinland-Pfalz

The Atlantic Academy is a non-profit organization seeking to build a strong bond between Americans and Germans. The goal is for each community to learn from one another. And no need to worry if your German isn’t the best, their staff speaks English. More information can be found on their website at www.atlantische-akademie.de or through email at info@atlantische-akademie.de

German-American
Community Office

Located in Kaiserslautern, this organization aims to facilitate positive German-American cultural relations specifically linked with the KMC. Not only is this a volunteer opportunity but a great resource for any questions about the KMC area. Visit their website at www.gaco-kl.de or email info@gaco-kl.de for more information.

Animal Shelter Kaiserslautern

Animal lovers unite! The animal shelter in Kaiserslautern offers opportunities to help out our four-legged friends. From cleaning and feeding to helping out at events, there are plenty of options to give your love to animals looking for a home. More information can be found at www.tierheim-kaiserslautern.de

Caritas-Foerderzentrum
St. Christophorus
(St. Christopher’s Homeless Shelter)

Offering support for individuals aged 16 to 70, Saint Christopher’s Homeless Shelter believes in “seeing and acting.” Volunteer work is organized through the Caritas Social Service Organization. While there is a consultation prior to beginning volunteer work, you can choose how to help. There is also training available if requested. To speak to someone in English, contact social worker Ursula Joerg by email at ursula.joerg@caritas-speyer.de or visit www.st-christophorus-kaiserslautern.de

Kinderheim St. Nikolaus
(Children’s Home St. Nicholas)

Located in Landstuhl, volunteers are taken on a case-by-case basis to help with children and adolescents at St. Nicholas Children’s Home. For information about their mission visit www.kinderhaus.bvw-stiftung.de or, to speak to someone in English, contact Cornelia Fritz at elternarbeit.plus@bvw-stiftung.de

Frauenzuflucht Kaiserslautern (Women’s Shelter Kaiserslautern)

The Kaiserslautern Women’s Shelter is available for women, with or without children, who are the victims of any kind of domestic abuse. With a basic knowledge of the German language, volunteers can help provide rides to various locations including the authorities, doctors, or hospitals. They also request help in the kitchen to cook meals at least once a week. Person of contact is English-speaking Bridgette Fitzgerald. You can email her at bid@gmx.net or visit the website for more information at www.frauenhaus-kaiserslautern.de

ASZ Kaiserslautern (Labor and Social Pedagogical Center)

Social education, children’s events, refugee assistance, and trade workshops are just a few of the many services provided through ASZ Kaiserslautern. With such a large organization there is a wide variety of volunteer opportunities available; including but not limited to: giving music lessons, organizing events, assembling playground equipment, maintenance, etc. English-speaking volunteers should contact Katharina Wisniewski for more information at katharina.wisniewski@asz-kl.de. More information can be found online at
www.asz-kl.de.