NATIONAL VOLUNTEER MONTH – EXCUSE FOR AN EXCURSION

By Rachael, PAWV VISTA

Did you know that April is National Volunteer Month? This month is all about celebrating service, taking action, and encouraging individuals to engage in their communities. In my opinion, one of the greatest aspects of volunteerism is that there are so many different ways to do it. So, in honor of National Volunteer Month, I have put together a list of service projects happening across the state.

Cleanup at Rich Mountain Battlefield
Saturday, April 2 at 11 a.m. Join Rich Mountain Battlefield in protecting the battlefield by removing trash and winter debris at Park Day cleanup. Saturday, April 9 at 11 a.m. will be the trail clean up.

Call (304) 637-7424 for more information about the event or check out the Rich Mountain Battlefield Facebook page.

Address: Rich Mountain Rd, Beverly, WV 26253

Shepherdstown Battlefield Restoration 
Saturday, April 2, 10 AM till 2 PM – Join the Jefferson County Historic Landmarks Commission for cleanup and restoration work at Shepherdstown Battlefield. Help restore the ground where the September 19-20, 1862 battle was fought. Activities will include landscaping, trash pickup, prep work, removing modern materials and more.

For more information about the event contact [email protected] or call (304) 728-3228

Meet at the parking area near the intersection of Through and River Road. Shepherdstown. Bring Gloves!

Heavner Cemetery Survey in Buckhannon
Saturday, April 9th, from 1 till 5 PM, at the Heavner Cemetery in Buckhannon. Volunteers will record data on the cemetery based on the following criteria: number of headstones in each century, material of gravestones (slate, marble, granite, sandstone, fieldstone, other), and conditions of gravestones (readable, eroded, badly tilted, cracked/broken, broken but standing, broken but no longer standing). No experience in preservation or geology required. Volunteers will be given an informational sheet to help them identify the material and conditions of the headstone.

Each volunteer would be assigned an area within the cemetery. The process should take around 3.5 hours, but volunteers may go at their own pace. The more volunteers that can participate, the faster the survey can be completed.

The information collected would be used for a preliminary inventory form that’s required for the National Register process.

For more information contact Christina Rieth (AmeriCorps Member) at [email protected].
Address: Heavner Cemetery, County Hwy 13, Buckhannon, West Virginia 26201

Volunteer Day at Jackson’s Mill
Saturday, April 23, 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM – Come help get the Heritage Area at WVU Jackson’s Mill ready for the 2016 season. Projects include: removing and reinstalling fence posts & rails, preparing planting beds in the Heritage Garden, rebuilding the walkway into the gristmill, and other fun & exciting projects.
Did I mention there’s pizza involved? A free lunch will be provided at 12:30 for all volunteers.
For more information contact Joe Obidzinski (AmeriCorps Member) at [email protected]
Address: 160 WVU Jackson Mill, Weston, WV 26452