Interfaith Hospitality Network

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Welcome to the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Gainesville Interfaith Hospitality Network volunteer information web site. We are happy to be a member of the Interfaith Hospitality Network of Greater Gainesville. Please read the summary description of IHN volunteer roles. You may use this information to decide how you would like to help during the UUFG-IHN hosting week. You can then choose one role for more detailed information.

For a more detailed description of each role, click on the individual descriptions to the right. These are the instructions you will use during hosting week. Please read the Volunteer Guidelines before you volunteer.

Please watch for our hosting dates and recruiting notices in The Millhopper and Sunday Gazette. Recruiting usually starts three Sundays before the hosting week. On these Sundays, after the service, the sign up sheet will be in the Social Hall.

Come join the dedicated UUFG-IHN team. Lend a helping hand to a family in need and make life a little better for some precious children.

The Interfaith Hospitality Network is a national organization of which we are a part. For more information contact Bonnye Greene.

IHN Annual Report 2009-2010

Our congregation hosted a total of fifty-three family members during four one-week hostings. Thirty-two of the family members were children. The hostings were in August (9-16), November (22-29), February (21-28), and May (9-16). Two Key Coordinators organized the hostings for each week, and with the help of the Chairs for volunteer roles, sixty to seventy UUFG members volunteered to help during each hosting. In addition to sheltering our IHN guests in our Religious Education classrooms for the four weeks, we provided gas for the transportation van, a total of about 1007 meals during the four weeks of hosting, and donated $40 to add to the pool of Christmas gift certificates for the families.

In October we joined the other IHN congregations in the Ninth Annual IHN’s Golf and Walk Challenge fundraiser to cover operating expenses for IHN of Greater Gainesville. The golf challenge was to see how many holes of golf you could play in a day. The walk challenge was a 3-mile walk. Two UUFG golf teams consisting of four golfers each participated in the Golf Challenge. The number of holes played in the day by a golfer ranged from 18-72. Three members participated in the walk. Many of our UUFG members supported our challengers with donations, and with donations from the other IHN congregations a total of about $60,000 was raised.

Three members have joined our team, two as Co-chairs for evening and dinner hosts, and one as Key Coordinator.

Meetings with Key Coordinators and Chairs were held as needed to prepare for the hosting. One or more Key Coordinators attended the monthly meetings with Key Coordinators from the other host congregations and staff of IHN of Greater Gainesville.

Bonnye Greene, UUFG-IHN Team Coordinator

IHN Update

Nov. 23, 2009

Big Thanks for Those at the Golf and Walk Challenge!

Thanks to all you wonderful people who supported in spirit and donation our golfers and walkers for the Ninth Annual IHN’s Golf and Walk Challenge held at the Gainesville Golf and Country Club on October 19th.

As most of you know, UUFG is an IHN host congregation. For one week on a rotational basis every two to three months we provide up to four homeless families with a caring, safe, place to sleep, eat and care for their children. We do not contribute funds for staff and operating expenses. Therefore, once a year we participate in this Golf and Walk Challenge fundraiser with the other congregations in the Network to assure the continuation of this comprehensive program to move families out of homelessness.

The golf challenge was to see how many holes of golf you could play in a day. The walk challenge was a 3-mile walk. Walkers could choose to receive instruction from Physical Therapist, Vibeke Vala, on the use of Nordic poles for walking. According to Vibeke Vala, Nordic poles provide greater balance and reduce stress on the body.

Two UUFG golf teams participated in the Golf Challenge. The golfers with number of holes played in parentheses on the first team were: Amy Jo Smith (52 holes), Ron Smith (72 holes), Ralph Bowen (72 holes) and Carol Willis (52 holes). Golfers on the second team were: Dennis Whittaker (18 holes), Michael Pellet (18 holes), Carolyn Troupin (18 holes), and Allen Harden (18 holes).

The walkers were, Jan Tucci and Bonnye Greene who chose to try out the Nordic poles, and found using them easy. Eddie Neimann couldn’t take the slow pace so he ran the course.

The day ended with a delicious dinner, a humorous, and fun awarding of many prizes. Our own Carol Willis won the prize for the women’s lowest score. Our second golf team took the low prize for the team with the lowest number of holes played with the longest time required. I bet they had more fun!

Thanks again to all our UUFG members who participated with all the other congregations to make this fundraiser a success by raising, at last count, $60,000.

Come join the dedicated UUFG-IHN team. Lend a helping hand to a family in need and make life a little better for some precious children.

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