The document announces the graduation of the 17th class of Project Blueprint, a leadership development program for minorities. It provides details on the training sessions and introduces the graduating class of 2008. It also lists several local volunteer opportunities with nonprofit organizations in Lancaster County.

1. PROJECT BLUEPRINT ANNOUNCES ITS CANDIDATES FOR GRADUATION 1824990161925 Project Blueprint is a unique volunteer development program designed to cultivate new community leaders by enhancing the leadership skills of African-American, Latino, Asian, Pacific Islander and Native American volunteers, preparing them for service on community nonprofit boards. Training sessions cover a variety of relevant topics, including team building, diversity, leadership, board governance and board member responsibilities. Project Blueprint graduates will assist boards in being more inclusive, responsive and reflective of the culturally diverse communities in which they serve. For the past six weeks, I have sat alongside the members of the 17th class of Project Blueprint and have been amazed at the ideas, innovation and charisma of each individual. Like a proud parent, I can’t help but feel giddy and excited as this group sets off to accomplish amazing results in Lancaster County. In honor of all the hard work and time class members, as well as the speakers and facilitators have invested, United Way will host a graduation ceremony and celebration for all those who worked to make this year’s Project Blueprint a success. The event is set for 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center, 150-152 S. Prince St. Our guest speaker will be Lancaster’s Chief of Police Keith Sadler. If you are interested in attending, are a Blueprint alumni or represent an agency that is seeking new board members, please contact Erin Conahan, 824-8127, for more information. The Project Blueprint class of 2008: •Mirna Alvarado, program director, Spanish American Civic Association. •Kyonna Bowman, administrative assistant, Crispus Attucks Community Center. •Kendra Frederick, administrative assistant, School & Community Network. •Carmen Guaigua, executive officer assistant, Powell Steel Corp. •Diana Hurlburt, operator, City of Lancaster. •James Lee Lilly III, case manager, Spanish American Civic Association. •Arlene McFadden, operations associate, Johnson & Johnson — Merck Consumer Pharmaceuticals Co. •Tara McFadden, material handler, RR Donnelley. •Vanessa Philbert, director of community impact, United Way of Lancaster County. •Nicole Vasquez, HACC, Central Pennsylvania’s Community College student and certified nurse’s aide, Medical Staffing Network. Now, for volunteer opportunities: A Woman’s Concern, 616 N. Duke St., a pregnancy resource medical center, is seeking volunteer counselors. Volunteers must commit to one (four-hour) shift per week. A Woman’s Concern works to provide alternatives to abortion for women and girls facing unplanned or challenging pregnancies by offering emotional support and practical assistance. No experience is necessary and training will be provided. Call Holly Tanner, 394-1136, for more information. American Cancer Society, 314 Good Drive, is preparing for the annual Daffodil Days March 16-22, 2009. Volunteers are needed to serve on the planning committee, which meets the first Wednesday of every month. Additionally, individuals are needed to take and process orders and deliver flowers throughout Lancaster County. Presale coordinators are also needed, as representatives for their workplaces or offices, to place and distribute orders. For more information, contact Julie Strickland, 888-227-5445. CONTACTLancaster Helpline, 601 S. Queen St., is a community service responding to human need by providing a 24-hour telephone helpline staffed with trained volunteers who give confidential, nonjudgmental support to callers, showing compassion for all individuals, and providing callers with referrals. Volunteers will be trained to offer support, offer information to available community services and help plan the next step. For more information, contact Jody Anderson, 299-7388, ext. 3123. Lancaster General, 555 N. Duke St., is looking for volunteers to transport patients and/or equipment from one service location to another at the main hospital. Volunteers must have the strength and endurance to meet the needs of the position. Two volunteers are also needed to assist at the Health Campus, sorting and logging surgical equipment that is being recycled to Third World countries. Training will be provided. Assignments are open any weekday or weeknight. Call the hospital’s volunteer services department, 544-5005. “Gifts that Give: Lancaster’s First Alternative Gift Fair” will be held from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 22, at the Farm and Home Center, 1383 Arcadia Road. The event will offer holiday shoppers an alternative to traditional gift-giving and is a perfect way to get into the real spirit of the season. Organized by www.theladieshalf.org, a nonprofit organization, the alternative gift fair is looking for teen and adult volunteers. Teens are needed to help with the children’s activities and craft tables. The general volunteer meeting will be held at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 13, at the Farm and Home Center. For more information, contact Jenn Knepper, 201-9157, or e-mail cjknepper@verizon.net. Lancaster House North, 335 N. Prince St., needs volunteers to pick up turkeys and food boxes from Water Street Rescue Mission and deliver them to 100 elderly residents at Lancaster House North. Volunteers are needed Tuesday, Nov. 25. For more information, contact Hilary Gates, 509-6984, or e-mail hgates@hdcweb.com Nonprofit organizations in Lancaster County are encouraged to publish volunteer needs in this column. For a copy of submittal guidelines or if you have questions about volunteering in Lancaster County, call the United Way Volunteer Center, 824-8127; fax 394-6118; e-mail conahan@uwlanc.org; or see www.volunteersolutions.org/lancaster. Office hours are 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays. Erin Conahan is the director of the United Way of Lancaster County Volunteer Center.