Volunteer Work
Volunteer Contact Information
From Cover to Cover
I am involved with the organization called "From Cover to Cover" which was founded in the Quad Cities to provide literacy kits to children. These kits include a homemade tie blanket and a book, and I helped expand the organization to Iowa City with the help of my older sister. After getting the organization running as a student organization at the University of Iowa in 2018, I served as the Volunteer Coordinator for that area. Our launch gathered over 60 volunteers and has delivered over a hundred literacy kits to the Ronald McDonald house and University of Iowa Stead Family Children's hospital since then! When possible, I still help to create tie blankets for the FC2C locations closer to home, and donate to the organization.
Christina Kitchen
From Cover to Cover- Co-founder
(563) 503-1444
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Covid-19 Crisis
When Covid-19 sweep through the world, I was confused and scared, just as many others were. I was also conflicted. Suddenly, in-person school and clinic came to a screeching halt. And although I was thankful to be kept safe, I couldn't help but think about how the work I've chosen to pursue would put me in the direct line of this virus, if I had not been a student during that time. Between this, and my heart that was breaking for all the people in need, I decided I would do everything in my power to try and help the community in whatever ways I could. While I was nervous to potentially put myself at risk, I knew I wasn't nearly as nervous as the families that didn't know where their next meal would come from, the medical personnel who were putting their own lives and families at risk by showing up to work during a PPE shortage, and the people who require blood or plasma to stay alive.
Due to this, I decided that I could use my time, talents, and able-body to volunteer with community-wide efforts. I volunteered at the Riverbend Food Bank (while wearing a homemade mask and maintaining social distancing policies) and donated blood every time I became eligible again.
I also began donating homemade masks that I had sewn out of the proper scrap material that I had around at the time. About 16 hours and 40 masks later, I ran out of material. I then found the “Quad Cities- Million Mask Challenge” (QCMMC) effort, that contained about 500 women from the area that had banded together to make masks. The group created a pick-up and drop-off location for donated supplies and completed masks. Those that were unable to sew, or don’t have the equipment to, were able to get involved by donating material or simply cutting out material for kits- that were then passed along to those that could sew. The group was able to donate tens of thousands of masks!!!! I personally made over 250 masks and spent more than 60 hours on the project. My masks were donated to local hospitals, schools, nursing homes, and a military base in South Carolina.
Stacie Kintigh
Lead Organizer- Quad Cities- Million Mask Challenge
stacie.kintigh@northscott.org
(563) 508-2673
Girl Scouts of America
Having been a Girl Scout myself when I was younger, and knowing the benefits and life-skills that come from it, I started volunteering at the local regional office for a couple years now. I have helped at numerous events, such as at the local campsite during community events and races, during cookie season, and during holiday events.
Maura Warner
Director of Communications- Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
(563) 823-9940
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Mississippi Valley Blood Center/Biotest Plasma Center in Iowa City
Whenever I am eligible, I volunteer to donate blood at my local blood center or during blood drives. So far, I have donated over a gallon of blood! Additionally, I have volunteered at numerous blood drives since high school and helped recruit volunteers.
During my time at the University of Iowa, I was also a plasma donor at their local center and completed my goal of donating twice a week for over an entire semester- saving approximately 100 lives!!
Especially during crisis situations, like the Covid-19 outbreak, it is especially important for people to donate blood or plasma, if they're eligible!
Trinity College of Nursing and Health Sciences- volunteer events
Many volunteer events become available through the college- whether at the hospitals, around the community, or at the campus. So far, I have answered the call to volunteer at the hospital during safety evacuation drills, healthcare appreciation events, and have helped with the winter clothing donation drive and March of Dimes fundraiser as a member of the Student Government Association.
As a Radiography program, we volunteered to paint the eagle enclosure at the Niabi Zoo during our service day event. Additionally, I volunteer my time at the college by representing the students as a part of the Student Affairs committee.
In the spring of 2020, I was invited to participate/present during a summer Healthcare Exploration Camp for prospective students. Unfortunately, this was cancelled due the Covid-19 pandemic. However, I felt so strongly that this was an important event for high school students who (like me originally) were unsure of their next steps after graduation, that I reached out to the development team to see if I could aid them in creating a virtual event. Since then, I have been involved in the development of multiple virtual events, and participated as the student representative at the recent "Virtual Radiography Information Session" and was featured in the "Student Perspective- Virtual Information Session".
I am also looking forward to being a professional panelist at the upcoming Healthcare Exploration Camp in July 2021.
Niabi Zoo Service Day!!
River Bend Foodbank
During the Covid-19 outbreak, food insecurity became extremely prevalent, especially for children who relied on going to school to get their meals. Due to this, the foodbank became more in need than ever for donations and volunteers. Upon hearing the need, a small group and I volunteered at the foodbank packaging "backpack kits" that would be donated to children in need.
Additionally, I have a history of working at the River Bend Foodbank through Hunger Drives during high school, and as Miss Eastern Iowa's Outstanding Teen 2016.
Alicia Win
Director of Special Events- Girl Scouts of Eastern Iowa and Western Illinois
(563) 823-9940
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Be The Match- Bone Marrow Donor
When my future sister-in-law was diagnosed with cancer in May of 2020, I was shocked and heartbroken. Knowing that she was being tested to see if she would need a bone marrow transplant, I did my research on the process and had a strong urge to do whatever I could to help her. Although I realized that it was highly improbable that I would be a match to her, I knew that registering to be a marrow donor in her honor (and possibly helping someone else in the process) would warm my heart beyond words. I may never get the call that I am a match to somebody- but I will forever advocate for other people to register.
You never know who you could be a match for, or whose life you could save.
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The Festival of Trees
The Festival of Trees is an iconic event in the Quad Cities that I have attended annually since I was a little girl. Now that I no longer attend as a performer or showcased artist, I enjoy attending as a volunteer, especially in the children's "Reindeer Games" section. I've volunteered various years in high school, as well as in 2019 when my close proximity to the event and circumstances allowed me to volunteer once again. Unfortunately, this event was also cancelled in 2020.
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Growth as a health care professional
My passion for serving/caring for others is what helped lead me to a career doing just that. Besides guiding me in this direction, it helped me grow as a health care professional by giving me regular contact with people, and thus becoming more comfortable interacting with people in need. Additionally, having strong time management skills are a must-have for healthcare professionals; a skill I believe I have improved in by volunteering. Finding the time in my already busy schedule was not only fulfilling, but beneficial in growing that skill. I also found that it was a challenging way to test my skills, passion, and dedication to making a positive impact in people's lives.