Current Projects
Support our Troops
Wednesday, November 11, 2009 - Friday, December 25, 2009
Thank you to all who served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Photos of more than 100 Battelle staff and family members are on display in the LSB lobby. The Team Battelle Supports Our Troops project sponsors the display to recognize those military personnel who have served our country and honor current active duty members.
The newest face to be added to the display is that of Major David Walter, 446th Civil Engineer Squadron, McChord Airforce Base, Wash. A staff member at PNNL, David is a reservist currently deployed to Iraq. Many of those under his command took this tour because they'd been laid off from their civilian jobs. They left behind families, and in some instances didn't leave them in good financial situations. Especially with the holidays drawing near it would be nice for these men and women to be able to contact their loved ones. Team Battelle is now accepting prepaid phone cards for Major Walter's team. He will distribute the cards to those who need them most. If you would like to help out with this program send cards to Debbie Krisher (K1-55).
You and your family can show support for our military personnel by helping provide a warm, surprise welcome home for returning troops. Team Battelle volunteers are needed to help welcome troops returning to the Pasco airport (or other pre-determined locations) as part of American Citizens Encouraging Support (ACES), a grass-roots organization dedicated to honoring military service people as they depart and return from duty either on leave or upon discharge. For information on how you can help honor and remember military service people contact the project director.
Project Director:
Jill Walters, 376-7420
Team Battelle Food Drive
Thursday, October 01, 2009 - Monday, November 30, 2009
Lobby area's in buildings around the Lab
It's that time again and the Tri-Cities Food Bank really needs our help. You will find food barrels or boxes in building lobby area's throughout the Lab. Please think of the Food Bank next time you're at the grocery store. Their shelves are looking empty and we need to help re-stock those shelves. Monetary donations are accepted as well. Attached are the current building stats.
Food Drive Fundraisers:
November 16 - Sigma 2 Building - Soup Feed
November 20 - LSB/Mt. St. Helens - Soup, Stew or Chili Feed
Project Directors:
Karen Carlson, 375-6984
Kevin Ghirardo, 371-7198
Attached File:
Coats for Kids
Friday, October 02, 2009-Thursday, December 31, 2009
12:00 AM-12:00 AM
Fall has arrived and it is time for the annual "Coats for Kids" campaign, sponsored by Battelle, Kadlec Medical Center and KNDU-TV. Children throughout our community benefit from this program. So go through your closets and bring in a coat to help support a good cause. Battelle has received requests for 380 coats from our local schools. Some coats that are needed are adult sizes for two local High Schools. Please help with this effort and make a difference in our community.
Project Director:
Linda Gustafson, 375-3906
Attached Files:
For the Love of Giving
Monday, November 09, 2009 - Friday, December 11, 2009
ETB Columbia River Room
This holiday project is in its 12th year and it helps charity organizations meet many of their needs. This year we will help 15 nonprofit organizations. Each organization has provided a "Holiday wish list" including items such as office supplies, pet food, cat litter, toiletries, gifts for adults and children, etc. More information coming soon.
Project Director:
Pam Dawson, 375-2075
Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Team in Training
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Sunriver Oregon
Calling ALL potential Triathletes!!! The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s TEAM IN TRAINING is looking for folks who might be interested in giving that winter and spring workout a great purpose. This is a new program being offered in the Tri-Cities and we would like you to consider a triathlon program that offers the opportunity to take on the challenge of swimming, cycling, and running an Olympic-distance triathlon while directly making a difference in the lives of a million Americans living with blood cancers. We’re putting together a team to train this winter and spring for the Pacific Crest Olympic Distance Triathlon to be held on June 27, 2010 in beautiful Sunriver, Oregon. We know the ‘cost’ will amount to some sweat and some time; so what do you get? A lifesaving cause: For many, the greatest benefit of all is knowing that you will be making a difference in the fight against blood cancers. Great people: Our certified coaches provide exceptional training and clinics on fitness, nutrition, gear, and injury prevention. Your teammates are there for you every step of the way. It's like having a personal trainer plus the companionship and support of a team of like-minded individuals for motivation and inspiration. A fabulous weekend at a great destination: The Pacific Crest Sports Festival event in Sunriver, Oregon has quickly become one of the premier sports events weekend in the entire northwest. Your travel, lodging, entry fees and pre-and post-event activities are all covered for an unforgettable weekend experience. Fundraising support: From your own Web page to our helpful staff and fundraising clinics, your fundraising will be easy and successful. For more information visit: http://www.teamintraining.org/wa/
Project Director:
Jim Cabe, 372-4299
Ongoing Projects
Pet Over Population
Pet Over Population Prevention (POPP)Pet Over Population Prevention (POPP) is a 501c(3), local non-profit, all-volunteer pet organization that has been providing assistance to the Tri-Cities area since 1995. We are dedicated to promoting responsible pet ownership and the prevention of unwanted litters of kittens and puppies in our community. Working with the veterinarian community, POPP provides financial assistance to pet owners toward the cost of having their pets spayed or neutered. In addition, POPP maintains a limited foster/adoption program for abandoned/homeless pets provided in the homes of volunteers. Often these pets require veterinary treatment and are the victims of abuse, abandonment, and neglect. Our policy is to provide a loving foster home, veterinary care (including spay/neuter), and a temporary home to these special pets for as long as it takes to find their 'forever' home. ALL pets adopted out through POPP are spayed or neutered prior to adoption, including kittens and puppies. This policy enables POPP to ensure that POPP foster pets do not contribute further to the serious pet overpopulation problem in our community. On an ongoing basis, POPP operates a very active needs-based public spay/neuter assistance program. All assistance and foster/adoption services are supported by the generous donations of concerned pet lovers. Other regular POPP events include the Whine, Brew and Cheese fundraiser; Home 4 the Holidays pet adoption campaign; Spring and Fall Pet Adopt-a-thons held at PetSmart; Fur Ball dinner, dance, live and silent auction; and pet adoption events each week at our facility located at 524B Warehouse Street in Richland, PetSmart in Kennewick, and cats at Petco in Richland. In addition, Meadow Hills Veterinary Center sponsors POPP's Pet-of-the-Week each Friday on KONA 610am and 105.3fm radio. Foster pets for adoption are also featured every Friday on KNDU TV. Current projects Promote a Pet: Join us in helping our pets find the perfect homes. We write articles and ads, and design and hang fliers with our featured pets. You really can make a difference from your computer desktop. Home 4 the Holidays: This is our major holiday adoption drive.
Foster Homes: Foster homes save lives. Could you take in a dog or cat until they find the perfect home?
Project Director:
Carol MacInnis, 375-2951
Habitat for Humanity Women Build
Habitat for Humanity Women Build
Team Battelle women crew volunteers are currently helping to build the second Women Build house in Kennewick for the Habitat for Humanity Tri-Cities Affiliate. Women don’t need to wait for others to address substandard housing issues in our community. They have the capability and determination to be part of the solution, one family at a time. Its goal is to showcase both the accomplishments of Habitat’s women volunteers and to invite more women to join the effort to provide decent, safe, affordable housing for local families in need. Women themselves are also positively impacted by becoming homeowners. They are more likely to experience job growth and increased feelings of self-worth. And statistics show that children of homeowners perform better in school and are more likely to continue until graduation.
No construction experience is required! We accomplish all with the support and training of coaches and crew leaders experienced in residential construction. Projects generally include: framing, roofing, siding, windows and doors, insulation, drywall, painting, cabinets, trim and landscaping. Check out the website at http://habitatbuilds.com Women Build and register on line then sign up as an individual or contact Pat Ronaldson to sign up for a Team Battelle construction crew, usually scheduled on Saturdays, 8:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Project Director:
Pat Ronaldson, 375-2709 Columbia Industries
Columbia Industries helps people by providing our participants, staff, and community partners the “opportunity for success”. We strive to be a leader in providing employment and training programs for persons with barriers to employment, while providing quality customer-driven products and services.
We aspire to be the “provider of choice” for employment and training contracts across the region. We want our expertise sought out, recognized, and active in the Northwest Region in education and training, and commercial operations/services.
Columbia Industries started helping people in 1963 as United Cerebral Palsy Association of Benton & Franklin counties. The purpose for forming the non-profit agency was clear: to promote the general welfare of persons with cerebral palsy and other handicaps.
Today, our goals are similar, as we strive to help all people with disabilities and other barriers to employment. Our slogan that appears in our logo, “Your Partner for Success!” was chosen to reflect our commitment to successful partnerships with our clients, our community, our board members, our staff, our donors – everyone who plays a part in our organization.
To learn more see:
http://www.cipartner.org/mission.htmlCAMP PATRIOT
Camp Patriot exists to take Disabled U.S. Veterans on outdoor adventures.
The task is monumental. Today, there are over 2.3 million disabled veterans in the U.S. The number of disabled men and women veterans is growing with each day the war on terror continues.
These brave veterans sacrificed much in order to ensure our safety and freedom. All of these veterans had dreams about the future, but many of those dreams were lost due to injuries suffered in the line of duty. Outdoor activities that they hoped to do in the future have vanished due to their disability. We want to thank these veterans by showing them that with the right help, they can again enjoy the great outdoors.
Our Vision
We are attempting to provide a great gift for those Veterans among us that have paid a tremendous price for our freedom. They have provided us protection from terrorism, oppression and tyranny. Consider for a moment the world outside these United States and you will understand what I mean!
Camp Patriot wants to renew the dreams and visions of our disabled veterans for a meaningful future. We will be bringing disabled American Veterans to the great State of Montana for outdoor adventures of their choosing. However, outdoor adventures are just some of the activities we provide disabled U.S. Military Veterans at Camp Patriot. We want to create relationships for them through outdoor adventures that will promote positive, life changing experiences.
With the construction of a first-class lodge outside of Libby, MT, we will be able to accommodate up to 20 Veterans per week. We will provide a range of outdoor activities, and will be equipped to accommodate Veterans with an array of disabilities. There will be no cost to the Veteran.
Project Director:
Rebecca Rupp, 372-4461
Columbia Animal Rescue Effort C.A.R.E.
Columbia Animal Rescue Effort (C.A.R.E.) is proud to be newly sponsored by Team Battelle! C.A.R.E. is an all volunteer, small 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to finding loving, caring families for abandoned/unwanted pets. We also provide education about responsible pet ownership and work with the communities to end the practice of euthanizing healthy adoptable animals and to prevent animal abuse. Where do we find our animals? Often they are strays that would otherwise die on the streets or animals surrendered from owners who can no longer take appropriate care of their pet. Some of our animals have arrived badly injured or abused. We provide them with food, water, a warm bed, and veterinary care, teaching them there are humans who will show them the love and affection they so deserve. For most of these pets, C.A.R.E. is their last chance to find a loving home. C.A.R.E. is a no kill organization. We do not send our pets to other organizations or Animal Control groups to be euthanized if we can’t find a home for them. The pets simply stay with us until that perfect home is found. We show our cats full time in Petsmart’s Luv-A-Pet center. Our dogs/puppies are shown at Petsmart on Sunday afternoons when available; and all are listed at www.wecare.petfinder.org. Please come by and visit some of our available pets for adoption. C.A.R.E. needs dedicated volunteers to work in the Luv-A-Pet Center and foster homes to care for our overflow. We also need people with great energy and ideas for marketing and fundraising. For more information on how you can help, please contact Debbie Gieszler at 376-7245.
Project Director:
Debbie Gieszler, 376-7245
Benton-Franklin Humane Society
Do you love animals? Join other animal lovers and support your local, non-profit animal care facility right here in the Tri-Cities. Through out the year we have three main events that help support our local Humane Society (no kill) shelter.
The Humane Society does not get any money except for donations and from fundraisers, so let's do all we can to help our beloved animals who don't have a place to call home. If you cannot participate in these events, the shelter is always looking for monetary donations or food and supplies (please contact project director for list of suggested items, but anything is accepted that is animal based).
Project “Paper for Paws” - Staff members would be encouraged to practice good identity theft prevention tactics by shredding papers and mail containing personal information and then recycle it as pet bedding for both dogs and cats. Team Battelle volunteers will collect the shredded paper and transfer it to the organizations such as the Human Society
Paws in the Park - This annual event is usually held around the second weekend in September and has been held at Columbia Park. Every year this event has Police Dog Demonstrations, Drug Sniffing Dog Demo's, Search and Rescue Demo's/courses, Silent Auction and of course McGruff the Crime Dog will be there. The most popular event is the Agility Course. In addition to the demonstrations multiple vendors are present, there are raffle prizes, and a multitude of owner/pet contests that you can participate in.
Howl -n- Scream – This is an annual fun run/race that happens around the third week in October. Join Team Battelle and support the Benton-Franklin Humane Society for the October Howl and Scream Scram Fun Run/Race. Race events include the 5K and 10K along with the 1/4 mile Kooky Caper Costume Kids Race to be held on the Badger Mt. Park and Running Trail. POC John Freese (509) 375-3900
Project Director:
Tiffany Mullen, 375-6446
Food Drive
Thursday, January 01, 2009 - Thursday, December 31, 2009
PLEASE remember the Food Banks when doing your routine shopping. And money is always graciously accepted, due to the increase in the cost to the Food Banks to buy the food from their distributors, we are earning 1 lb. of food credit for every 90 cents that is donated. Money goes farther in their hands than it does in ours, plus if you write a check, it helps you keep track of your charitable giving for tax deduction purposes. Also, remember the food banks when you are harvesting your garden. The food bank gladly accepts fresh garden vegetables.
The food bank is always looking for volunteers so if you are interested in volunteering contact Art King, Executive Director, Tri-Cities Food Bank, 943-2795.
Project Directors:
Karen Carlson, 375-6984
Kevin Ghirardo, 371-7198
Camerata Musica
Camerata Musica is a non-profit organization, supported entirely by donations, that presents chamber music concerts to the public. As an organization, it is entirely staffed by volunteers and can use your help throughout the year. Concerts are held monthly on Saturday evenings ((8-9 times a year) from September through April. In addition to needing assistance on concert nights with ushering, pouring juice, etc, we also need help with proofreading programs and preparing publicity. If you enjoy classical music, you may be especially interested in assisting this worthwhile cause, Please contact Nancy Doran for details.
Project Director:
Nancy Doran, 372-7434
Surgical Implant Generation Network
Surgical Implant Generation Network
SIGN, or the Surgical Implant Generation Network, is a Richland nonprofit organization dedicated to bone fracture care in developing countries. Founded by Dr. Lew Zirkle, SIGN trains surgeons to use the special bone implants that SIGN designed. SIGN’s vision is that all people will have the opportunity to receive modern surgical treatment and avoid future disability. Team Battelle volunteers help SIGN with ongoing special projects. To learn more about this project, see http://www.sign-post.org/
Project Director:
Andrea McMakin, 372-6013
Columbia Basin Dog Training Club
Tri-Cities
This club is staff entirely by volunteers and teaches Canine Good Citizen, Puppy, Obedience, Rally, Agility Tracking, and even therapy classes to the community. It provides free or nominal fees for practice classes to the community. The club also provides AKC sanctioned events, as well as, fun runs or Show-n-Go's. Our volunteers work to coordinate events with AKC, as well as teach classes. We also provide community support for events such as, Science days for kids at WSU, 4H Clubs, etc with demonstrations, kids reading to dogs at the library program, therapy dog, as well as, general obedience training. For more information see CBDTC.
Project Director:
Brooke Lanigan
Grace Clinic
Grace Clinic provides medical treatment and other services to Tri-Citians who don't have health insurance. Most of the work is done by volunteers. To find out more about this project see: Grace Clinic
Project Director:
Andrea McMakin, 372-6013
Tapteal Greenway - Revitalizing Amon Basin
Team Battelle is assisting the Tapteal Greenway Association in protecting and revitalizing 100 acres of fragile urban wilderness in the Amon Basin. The property contains valuable wetlands and shrub-steppe habitat, is a crucial wildlife corridor, and offers connectivity with other open space. Volunteer activities include helping conduct technical studies, fundraising, cleaning-up the site, constructing and maintaining trails, and developing educational programs and materials. Our goal (which is also a commitment under our National Environmental Performance Track Membership) is to contribute at least 1000 hours by the end of 2009.
For more information on how you can get involved, see the Team Battelle - Amon Basin Project webpage, check out the Tapteal Greenway Association website.
Project Director:
Kami Lowry, 371-7858
The First Tee
The First Tee is in need of caring adult role models to volunteer as golf coaches and assistant coaches. The First Tee of Columbia Basin offers an innovative approach to prevention of problem behaviors such as delinquency, teen pregnancy, substance abuse and academic failure utilizing a series of developmentally appropriate life skills lessons linked to components of the game of golf. The program also introduces a low impact exercise taking advantage of the well established local resources that many of our targeted youth might never be exposed to under existing circumstances. By being a volunteer you will not only have fun, but have a tremendous impact on youth development ages 5-18 years old. To find out more about this project go to http://tftcolumbiabasin.memfirstweb.net/club/Scripts/Home/home.asp
Project Director:
Rebecca Rupp, 372-4461
Website Wizards
Community and non-profit organizations receive assistance in designing and maintaining websites. Interested volunteers are need to provide page layout, graphics, navigation maps, page coding and text writing. As part of this project, Team Battelle maintains the http://www.crehst.org/ CREHST Museum web site.
Project Director:
Susan Widener, 372-7479
Theatre Support
Behind the scenes requires hundreds of labor hours to create sets and costumes. You can support various local theatrical shows by helping to build sets, create lighting displays and lobby set-ups, sew costumes, apply make-up, train students to sing, sell concessions, and work back stage. All skill levels are needed.
Project Director:
Brenda Kelmel, 376-1516
Preserving Badger Mountain
Team Battelle is assisting the Friends of Badger Mountain's effort to preserve 574 acres of the ridge and slopes of Badger Mountain as open space. Come find out what is being done, and why and how. For more information see vist http://www.friendsofbadger.org/ Friends of Badger Mountain website.
Ice Age Flood Institute
Team Battelle volunteers are needed to provide technical support to the Lake Lewis Chapter of the Ice Age Flood Institute. The Lake Lewis Chapter serves the greater Tri-Cities area. The Team Battelle project will provide geologic interpretation and graphic arts and editorial support for the development of brochures, display boards, etc. For additional information on the Ice Age Floods Institute and the local Lake Lewis chapter visit http://www.iceagefloodsinstitute.org.
Project Director:
George Last, 371-7080
Project Linus
Team Battelle Project Linus is always looking for volunteers or "blanketeers" to help provide new, handmade, washable blankest to be given as gifts to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18. All styles of blankest are welcome, including quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crocheted or knitted afghans, and receiving blankets in child friendly colors. For more information visit: http://www.orgsites.com/wa/projectlinustri-cities/
Project Director:
Tracy Holland, 376-5081
Italian Greyhound Rescue
The Italian Greyhound Rescue is looking for foster and forever homes for Italian Greyhounds. These dogs are small, usually between 13 and 15 inches and weigh between 10 and 15 lbs. They are odorless, shed little and not yappy. If you are interested in becoming a foster home or adopting one of these little sweeties, please see Italian Greyhound Rescue
Project Director:
Linda Kennedy, 376-0612
Hygiene Kits
If you stay in a hotel for business or pleasure, you can help those in need in a way that won’t cost you anything!
The free toiletry samples hotels provide are used to make personal care kits for those who come for assistance at local non-profit organizations or attend schools with a high percentage of students at the poverty level. Contents of the kits include dental items, soap, lotion, shampoo, conditioner, comb, razor, shaving cream, etc. Trial or full-sized items purchased in stores are very welcome too. So the next time you travel, be sure to bring home the free toiletry items you receive from hotels. The items are donated to the following Tri-Cities organizations:
- Grace Clinic
- Domestic Violence Services
- Tri Cities Food Bank
- World Relief Tri-Cities
- Safe Babies/Safe Moms
- Union Gospel Mission
- Rowena Chess School (high % of students at the poverty level)
Donation boxes are located in the 1st floor kitchens at the following locations: LSB, ETB, NSB, EMSL, ROB, ISB1, ISB2, RTL, MATH, PSL, Sigma 4, 2400 Stevens, and 331 and 325 buildings. For more information, contact Valerie Schultz, 371-7646, valerie.schultz@pnl.gov.
Project Director:
Valerie Schultz, 371-7646
Court Appointed Special Advocate
CASAs-(Court Appointed Special Advocates) are volunteers assigned by the court to speak in court on the behalf of children, ages 8 and under, who have been removed from their homes due to neglect or abuse, and are in foster care. Volunteer CASAs are referred to as Guardian Ad Litems (GAL). When children are removed from their homes because of abuse or neglect, they enter the court system through a series of proceedings known as the "dependency process." Through this process, social workers help the family obtain needed services and attorneys represent the parents. Eventually, a judge must determine what is in the child's best interest...to reunite with their family or to seek a new one. One person is there to speak in that child's best interest throughout this process. That person is the CASA volunteer (GAL). The GAL interacts with family members, obtains information from teachers, doctors, and counselors regarding the child and interacts with the child to try to determine what is in their best interest and reports those results to the court. CASA volunteers are trained and supervised by the local. CASA/GAL program. Training is offered for volunteers two times per year.
Project Directors:
Novella Bridges, 372-4806
Shelly Grohs, 375-2044
Columbia Basin Equine Rescue
Columbia Basin Equine Rescue (CBER)needs volunteers to help find homes for slaughter-bound horses. Transporting, marketing and fundraising assistance is also needed. For more information, see the CBER website.
Project Director:
Wendy DeGraff, 376-0249
Boys and Girls Club
The Boys and Girls Club Mentor program allows you to be a positive role model to youth in the community. If you would like to help kids make better choices to realize their full potential as productive, responsible and caring citizens, Club Mentor may be for you. The Club has organized, pre-planned events for one-on-one activities usually lasting one hour. You know the schedule ahead of time and can choose which events you would like to participate in. The Club also does all of the preparation and clean-up. Your only job is to be there to play with the kids!
Project Director:
Laura Curtis, 375-2311
Adult Day Services
Help insure clients of Adult Day Services continue to have nice prizes for their bingo events by donating items such as blank greeting cards, stuffed toys, jewelry, pens, a variety of personal toiletries for men and women, including shampoo, lotion, pocket calendars and small purse/pocket size notebooks to write in, deodorant, shaving cream, small packages of Kleenex. Also needed are small containers of individual juice, sugar-free gum/candy/cocoa. Remember these items will be used as prizes and should be in new (or like new) condition. Note: the agency does NOT need small hotel soaps and lotions. Donations may be placed in the box placed in the ROB lunchroom. Adult Day Services provides adult day care, caregiver respite and related services to guests who have physical disabilities and, on some days, to those who suffer from a form of dementia.
Project Director:
Paula Gonzalez, 375-3912
Educational Projects
Science Fairs Need you
Are you interested in helping young scientists have an opportunity to express their creativity? Team Battelle is recruiting people to assist with local science fairs. Volunteer opportunities include judging, mentoring, publicity, and event coordination. The centerpiece of this project is the annual Mid-Columbia Science Fair, a regional competition with about 400 projects
Project Director:
Rik Littlefield, 375-3927
GED Tutors
The Day Reporting School is in need of additional tutors to assist students working toward their high school equivalency diploma. These "at risk" youth are, for one reason or another, not permitted back in the regular school system but want to get at least a GED diploma. Limited state funding is provided for one instructor plus some materials. Due to the wide diversity of formal schooling achieved, much of the instruction is best accomplished in a one-on-one situation. Tutors are needed in the areas of English, math, science social studies and writing during class time, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Time provided by each volunteer tutor is flexible and any support is appreciated. Classes are held at the Juvenile Justice Center, Kennewick.
Project Director:
Leo Munson
