Project Contact

Chairperson: Dawn Gibson
Email Address: dawn@gibsonemail.com

Project Description

Date: May 18

The Alamo City Gator Club on May 18, 2012 will be volunteering for The Wounded Warriors Mini-Triathlon. The club has participated in this event for the past few years and we enjoy each year witnessing the recovery in which the athletes have physically and mentally overcame. The Wounded Warriors will push their bodies during this triathlon after experiencing catastrophic injuries. The Gators will participate as volunteer coordinators, safety observers (in and out of the pool), timers, manning water stations, traffic controllers, transition point assistants, and anything other positions which may be needed.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Julie Sellers
Email Address: juliesellers@wncwlaw.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

In connection with the Discovery Program, members of the Atlanta Gator Club will volunteer to mentor and work with elementary age students on Saturday morning. This enrichment program takes place each Saturday at Boyd Elementary School as additional resources for children. The ACG will also collect gently used and new books for children and adolescents.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Matt Thomas
Email Address: parrymattt@aol.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Our goal is to perform a community service to the City Park Lake, City Park Lake Park and University Lake areas of Baton Rouge.

The local neighborhood association is the Lakeshore Civic Association.

We will be picking up trash around the lakes, cutting brush, grass, and tree limbs where needed to improve the view, safety and beauty of the lake areas.

We will be expanding on work already performed by neighbors and volunteers last year.

The Baton Rouge Gator Club will be performing the work from 8 am to noon on May 19th and providing drinks and lunches to the volunteers.

We have a variety of tools, gloves, and garbage bags for the volunteers to perform the work.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Heather Morris
Email Address: gatorgal1977@yahoo.com

Project Description

Date: May 12

We are participating in American Diabetes Association's "Tour de Cure." Our club will be manning a rest stop and cheering on the bike riders that are participating in this event.
We select this event again this year due to the reponse from the club and the American Diabetes Association. They were impressed with our club and invited us back to take part this year too.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Mike Ballard
Email Address: gatorsprout@hotmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 27

The Blue Ridge Gator Club works with the City of Asheville to provide all the volunteers they need to man all the event booths, sporting events, childrens areas, information booths etc. during the Sunday festival day. The festival showcases the various outdoor athletic opportunities for athletes of all ages and skill levels to promote good health and physical fitness. The Gator Club has worked with the City of Asheville for several years on this event and the city has come to rely on us for ALL their volunteers for the Sunday portion of the 3 day event

Project Contact

Chairperson: Shari Daniel
Email Address: gator87@cfl.rr.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

The Brevard County Gator Club will, once again, volunteer at the Brevard County Zoo from 8am - 12pm. We will help with projects such as spreading sand on Kayak Beach.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Shari Daniel
Email Address: gator87@cfl.rr.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Once again, the Brevard County Gator Club will volunteer at the Brevard Zoo from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm. We will help with many projects including spreading sand on Kayak Beach.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Cariann Moore
Email Address: ftlgator@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

The Broward County Gator Club will be assiting Covenant House Florida on their 5K on A1A, which will be held on May 19, 2012. Gator volunteers will help with a variety of duties such as registration, working water stations, etc. The event benefits Covenant House Florida, which provides shelter ans services to homeless youth under 21, including teen parents and their babies.

Project Contact

Chairperson: patrick sheffield
Email Address: patrick.r.sheffield@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

The Capital Area Gator Club is going to roll up our Orange and Blue sleeves for the Big Bend Homeless Coalition. We will work in the family dorm, organizing, cleaning, and repainting the children's learning center. The event begins at 9 a.m.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Jenny DuRant
Email Address: jennysdurant@yahoo.com

Project Description

Date: May 20

For International Gator Day, the Charlotte Gator Club has selected to support the local chapter of the Coalition to Unchain Dogs. The Coalition to Unchain Dogs is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to making the chaining of dogs a thing of the past by informing the community about the detrimental effects of chaining on both the dog and the community, and providing fences for people who cannot afford them. The Coalition regularly builds fences, providing the entire fence (labor and materials) at absolutely no cost to the dogs’ owners, as well as free spay/neuter services for every canine recipient.

On May 20, 2012, Charlotte Gator Club members, family, and friends will assist regular Coalition volunteers in building fencing and shelter for dogs in need.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Sonya Guffey
Email Address: guffeygator@comcast.net

Project Description

Date: May 31

monitary and supply donation for The Hospice Group of Chattanooga in honor of Dan Korol.

Project Contact

Chairperson: MaryKate Rosack
Email Address: marykate@alumni.ufl.edu

Project Description

Date: May 20

Caracole is a Cincinnati non-profit organization with the mission to provide safe, affordable housing and supportive services for individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. Founded in 1987, Caracole House was the first licensed adult care facility in Ohio for people living with HIV/AIDS. Today, Caracole serves more than 1,000 clients living in an eight county region in Southwest Ohio with six primary programs.

The Caracole headquarters are expanding and moving into new offices in early May, and they need help with projects in their building so that they'll be ready to serve the community. Help needed includes painting and doing projects around their building. While no experience is necessary, if you have construction experience, please let us know when you RSVP so we can plan accordingly!

We are also asking our Gator volunteers to bring toiletry and/or household cleaning items as donations; Caracole uses these to stock the homes for the families. Examples: laundry soap, cleaning supplies, toothpaste, toothbrushes, deodorant, shampoo, conditioner, bar soap, body wash, shaving cream, disposable razors, toilet paper, etc. If you'd like to donate but are unable to attend on May 20, please contact MaryKate below to arrange dropping off your donation.

Lunch will be provided, and we will work from 11-2:30. If you can only attend part of the day, you are still welcome!

For more information, visit www.caracole.org, or contact MaryKate at marykate@alumni.ufl.edu or 513-544-0807. We hope to see you on Sunday, May 20. GO GATORS!

Project Contact

Chairperson: DeeDee Wilcox
Email Address: jwilcox2@tampabay.rr.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

On May 19, 2012 the Citrus County Gator Club will team up with the employees of The Key Training Center for an Indoor Tailgate & Viewing Party for their community of adults who have developmental disablities.
With the attitude of kindness, love, dignity and respect we will utilize our own skills, talents and knowledge of being Gator Fans and attending football games at "the Swamp" to provide a personailzed service to the program participants. Set up will begin at 3:00 pm at the Chet Cole Building. The participants will arrive at 4:00pm. We will have face painting, games, cheers, our own "Mr. Two Bits", food, fun and sharing our Gator traditions. It is our way of "Giving Back" to our community - our other school - the Key Training Center.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Kristine Johnson
Email Address: kdgator59@aol.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Haven Hospice Thrift Store is a retail, non-profit store that accepts donations of all types (clothing, knic knacs, furniture, books, household items, etc...) and sells these items to raise money for Haven Hospice. For our project we will be on site for approximately 3-4 hours. We will assist them in the acceptance and processing of the donations. In addition we will help in the back room and on the sales floor, and assist in special projects that the director needs help with. If any outside cleanup or yard work is needed we will also help there.

We hope to be able to complete several projects for them that are not able to be completed in the normal business day.

This will be our second year helping Haven Hospice. Since working with them last year they have broken ground for the Hospice facility in Clay County and are close to completion. A much needed facility in Clay County that will provide compassionate care to its future patients. We look forward to helping them once again.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Wayne Moss
Email Address: wmoss@nalco.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

The Columbia Gator Club will perform a variety of clean-up and grounds maintenance projects at Saluda Shoals Park, a large public park on the banks of the Saluda River in Lexington County, South Carolina.

Club members will pick up litter in two areas, one along a creek. Others will spruce up a children’s garden -- pulling weeds, cleaning a reflecting pond, spreading, trimming shrubs, and watering.

Some club members may also collect litter on the Saluda River in canoes with a guide (part of the park's Adopt-a-Waterway program).

The park is a popular, family-oriented recreation area with nature trails, canoe trails, exhibits, meeting spaces, nature-study areas, and picnic facilities. It is relatively new, and our club has never done a project with them.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Charles Long
Email Address: charles@dfwgatorclub.org

Project Description

Date: May 19

International Gator Day is May 19th.
We will be assisting Mercy Street Mission with a baseball game for elementary students and their mentors.

The game is from 10a-11a and lunch will be served from 11a-12p.
We will be assisting with set up/clean up, grilling hot dogs, baseman/umpires.

Please arrive by 9:30a to the Field of Dreams at 3500 Goldman St. Dallas, Tx 75212 across from the YMCA.

See Ya There! Go Gators

Project Contact

Chairperson: Gary Manton
Email Address: desertgators@cox.net

Project Description

Date: May 19

Saturday, May 19th from 7:30am - 2pm we will be doing another Habitat for Reptility at the Phoenix Herpetological Society (PHS). It should be a great day working on new houses for the alligators, Water Monitor, turtles, gila monsters, tortoises and a few other reptiles (there are over 1200 animals on the property, including over 30 alligators and crocodiles). There will be projects for the kids as well. If you can not commit to the entire day, please come anyway...any amount of time that you can be there to assist will be greatly appreciated. Bring gloves, tools (shovels, picks, rakes, etc..)

If you want to learn more about the Phoenix Herpetological Society, check them out at www.phoenixherp. com

Directions:

101 to Scottsdale Road.
North on Scottsdale Road to Dynamite
East on Dynamite to 78th Street
South on 78th Street to the 2nd house on Left.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Tracy O'Sullivan
Email Address: President@jaxgatorclub.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

The Gator Club of Jacksonville will be sorting and organizing donations at the Teacher Supply Depot. The mission of the Teacher Supply Depot is to collect donated materials from local Jacksonville companies and then they give those supplies for free to our teachers and district schools. This project will help our local teachers and our students.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Michael Villarnovo
Email Address: mvillarnovo@aol.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

On May 19, 2012, the Gator Club of Miami will be taking their talents to South Beach to do a beach clean up. We will meet from 9 AM - 12 PM at 5th Street in South Beach. Each Gator participating will be bringing their own equipment (trash bags, etc.) and drinks to the event.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Nicole Weltman
Email Address: Nicole.weltman@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

At the Humane Society, Gators are needed to walk dogs, clean cat cages, help with laundry and provide information to guests.

At the Ronald McDonald House, Gators will be providing, cooking and serving lunch for all house members.

If Gators cannot attend International Gator Day, they can still get involved by providing food for the lunch or donate items to the Humane Society.

More event information can be found on Gothamgators.com

Project Contact

Chairperson: Courtney Gleason
Email Address: court12gator@hotmail.com

Project Description

Date: Jun 09

The Mission of the Furniture Bank of Central Ohio is to provide free furniture to its central Ohio neighbors struggling to furnish their own homes as a result of severe poverty and other significant life challenges.

Volunteers will work together to assemble, sand, and paint kitchen tables and other furniture items from kits. No experience required - They provide the instructions, tools, and safety equipment! Other jobs may include cleaning and organizing their showroom.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Elizabeth V. Lenihan
Email Address: lizardevm@yahoo.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

We will be helping an elderly member of our Club do work around her house.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Caroline Williams
Email Address: Carolinewilliams@consolidated.net

Project Description

Date: May 19

For our 2nd year in a row, we will be working a day shift at the Houston food bank, in any capacity requested. Last year, we served them by working the kitchen, slicing up veggies,uncanning sides and preparing over 900 meals to be used by the facility. It was good, healthy labor , time and love by our Houston Gators. We couldn't wait to come back and help them again. Last year, we had 15 participants and this year, we hope to double the participation.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Don F Schupp
Email Address: ask4gator@aol.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Heavy yard work and much needed repairs to a senior citizens homestead that is threatened by foreclosure and fines by the city .................

Project Contact

Chairperson: Marcellus Sinclair
Email Address: marcellus.sinclair@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 18

Once again in 2012, the Kansas City Gator Club will partner with the Make A Wish Foundation to help make a difference in young people's lives. Gator Club members will be donating luggage, restaurant gift certificates or other gift cards to help with any travel which may be required. This is a great way to help the Make a Wish Foundation meet the needs of its guest and another way for the Kansas City Gator Club to help make a difference!

Project Contact

Chairperson: Nancy Martin
Email Address: nancymn@comcast.net

Project Description

Date: May 19

This is our first year working with the Boys and Girls Clubs of Lake and Sumter Counties. As of this date, we have not determined exactly which activities we will be perform. We have been given a list to chose from, which includes; spreading mulch on the playground, painting walls in the gym, pulling weeds, filling pot holes in the driveway, trimming scrubs, planting flowers and pressure washing sidewalks.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Bob Faulkner, President
Email Address: GatorClubLV@yahoo.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Three Square collects, sorts and distributes donated food to numerous charitable organizations throughout the Las Vegas area. The Las Vegas Gator Club has been associated with Three Square for the past three years. Among the activities participated in by LVGC members have been sorting cans, weighing and packing meat products, and checking inventory for expiration dates and intact packaging prior to distribution.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Bob Faulkner, President
Email Address: GatorClubLV@yahoo.com

Project Description

Date: May 05

The Las Vegas Gator Club will participate in the MS Walk this year. Resgistration begins at 7:45 AM at Town Square. When you register, tell them you are with the Las Vegas Gator Club team. Pledges are encouraged.

(This is a change from the prior submission. Three Square Food Bank informed us that they are filled up for volunteers for the month of May.)

Project Contact

Chairperson: Jim Lance
Email Address: outreach@lonestargatorclub.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

We will be helping them assemble water safety packets that they distribute to organizations and people who can benefit from the information. Colin's Hope promotes water safety in the community and educates children, parents and lifeguards on drowning prevention. Our other IGD project this year, Austin Sunshine Camp, will be the primary recipient of the packets we assemble for this event and will make them available to the 850+ economically challenged but high potential children they support this summer.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Jim Lance
Email Address: outreach@lonestargatorclub.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

We will be helping Sunshine Camps prepare for their 2012 summer camp programs. These camps support over 850 economically disadvantaged but high potential youths in Central Texas. There will be a wide variety of activities, providing opportunities for volunteers of all ages! Examples include painting, spreading mulch, clearing brush, repairing screens and other beautification projects.

We will also be helping Colin's Hope this year. They promote water safety in the community and educates children, parents and lifeguards on drowning prevention. We will be helping them assemble water safety packets that they distribute to organizations and people who can benefit from the information. Sunshine Camp will be the primary recipient of the packets we assemble for this event.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Nicole Plummer
Email Address: nikkisuegator@hotmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Manatee County Gator Club members will volunteer to walk dogs from the Manatee County Animal Services Adoption Center.

Project Contact

Chairperson: James Lynch
Email Address: jelynch@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

We will assist the Southeastern Guide Dogs in training the dogs and educating the greater Manatee County about what the charity does and their fundraising efforts.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Roger Schultz
Email Address: r.k.schultz@att.net

Project Description

Date: May 19

MCGC is hosting a cookout and day of fun for the current residents of “My Friends House”. A home for teen boys displaced from their homes due to abuse or neglect. We will host 10-12 boys with what will be one of the most exciting days of their summer. The event will take place at EUROPA GO-KARTS & MINI GOLF, 621 Old Hickory Blvd. Nashville, TN. The boy will enjoy an afternoon of mini-golf, go-karts and a game room full of video games. MCGC will provide food and beverages and club members will each bring a side dish. EUROPOA has a large covered cookout area (already reserved for the day) with picnic tables and plenty of room.
My Friend’s House Family and Children Services, Inc. is a non-profit 501(c)(3) corporation chartered in 1982 to provide therapeutic services to children. My Friend’s House is a group home for boys operated by Williamson County Youth, Inc. which began its operation in 1988. My Friend’s House is a comprehensive treatment program. Education and exposure to opportunities are the major components of the program. Throughout the years, My Friend’s House has developed and nurtured partnerships within the community, such as United Way of Williamson County, Boys and Girls Club, Boy Scouts of America, YMCA, Williamson County Schools, STARS Program, Junior Achievement League, Williamson County Juvenile Court, local businesses, churches, civic clubs, and individual contributors. These partnerships provide the opportunities that foster the youth’s self-esteem and confidence. My Friend’s House is an advocate for the children and encourages them to achieve their highest potential.
The ultimate goal and purpose of My Friend’s House is to reunite youth with their families. When reunification is not an option, My Friend’s House works collaboratively with the Department of Children’s Services to make every effort to find the best possible solution for the youth’s future, to including transitional living, foster home or relative placement.
The mission is to serve Tennessee’s youth in need by offering a home-like environment with a balance of structure, support, nurturing and love. The agency believes that today’s youth are tomorrow’s future. Our youth need to be given every opportunity to recover from adverse situations and to become successful young adults. The current population that we serve includes children who have a long history of dependency and neglect, emotional issues, substance abuse issues, unruly and delinquent behavior, and physical and emotional abuse. We have a reputation of successfully treating children who present challenging behaviors. Our history proves that we will accept that challenge and demonstrate a “do whatever it takes” attitude to support that child.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Joshua Shotts
Email Address: JHShotts@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Founded in 2002, Cradles to Crayons is an innovative nonprofit that provides, free of charge, disadvantaged children with the essential items that all kids need in order to flourish.

How does it work?

New and gently-used children’s goods come to the Cradles to Crayons Giving Factory warehouse by way of donations from families and individuals, corporations, and products drives held by community groups.Volunteers come to our warehouse to inspect, sort, and package all donations into “C2C KidPacks,” individualized packages of essential children’s items ordered for specific in-need kids.Our socials service agency partners place orders for the children they serve. Once an order is filled, the requesting partner picks up the KidPacks from the Giving Factory and distributes them directly to the children they were ordered for.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Diane McManus
Email Address: gatorgirl43@hotmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

We will have a booth at the Lake City Farmers Market from 8am -noon. We will be fingerprinting children for identification purposes. We will also be giving away balloons and other gator merchandise.

Project Contact

Chairperson: LeAnn Davis
Email Address: leann@alumni.ufl.edu

Project Description

Date: May 19

We will be handing out fluids to participants as they go by at a water stop for the Cleveland Marathon 5K/ Organization for Autism Research "Run For Autism" held the day before the Cleveland Marathon. We are responsible for filling cups, picking up discarded cups and cleaning up area after all participants have passed and will encourage and support participants as they pass.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Michael K. Varner
Email Address: mvarner@soearth.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

We will be going to the Rescue Mission Thrift Store to assist in sorting and stocking clothing. If enough people attend, we will also be helping the Rescue Mission with miscellaneous work at the Mission (painting, etc).

Project Contact

Chairperson: Thomas Dahan
Email Address: tdahan@alumni.ufl.edu

Project Description

Date: May 19

Dating back to the Centennial Exposition in 1876, the Shofuso Japanese House and Gardens is a replica of a 17th century Japanese house and a garden from the period. As a International Gator Day project, the Philadelphia Gator Club will work with the gardener and site managers to maintain the gardens, which feature a koi pond and tea garden. This may hedge trimming and debris removal.

The work day will begin at 9AM and ends around noon. Lunch will be provided following the event.

Volunteers should wear comfortable clothes that can get dirty (we will provide a complimentary IGD t-shirt) and sturdy shoes. All tools will be provided. It is recommended that you bring a refillable water bottle, there is a water cooler on-site.

To sign up, please contact Tom Dahan at tdahan@alumni.ufl.edu.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Steve Traiman
Email Address: straiman@mindspring.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Pinellas County Fort De Soto Park Project to assist Maintenance Staff and Park Rangers

Super Gators - cleaning trails and pulling and disposing of exotics.

Jr Gator Assistants– volunteers to organize and supervise young Gators’ activities

Jr Gators – young volunteers to participate in a “trash pickup scavenger hunt” -- beach clean-up with prizes awarded for “baddest” trash collected.

Chef Gators – several volunteers needed to assist with prep/picnic lunch

Picnic for Park Staff and Rangers, Volunteers and Families.

Expected attendance about 80, with request for EXTRA Small T-shirts for large number of children, and extra kids' gifts for beach clean-up prizes.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Steve Traiman
Email Address: straiman@mindspring.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Pinellas County Fort De Soto Park Project to assist Maintenance Staff and Park Rangers

Super Gators - cleaning trails and pulling and disposing of exotics.

Jr Gator Assistants– volunteers to organize and supervise young Gators’ activities

Jr Gators – young volunteers to participate in a “trash pickup scavenger hunt” -- beach clean-up with prizes awarded for “baddest” trash collected.

Chef Gators – several volunteers needed to assist with prep/picnic lunch

Picnic for Park Staff and Rangers, Volunteers and Families.

Expected attendance about 80, with request for EXTRA Small T-shirts for large number of children, and extra kids' gifts for beach clean-up prizes.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Mary Peters
Email Address: mcpuf87@earthlink.net

Project Description

Date: May 19

The Oregon Food Bank distributes emergency food to hunger-relief agencies throughout Oregon and Clark County, Washington. Our group will volunteer to help re-package food for distribution to those who need it. The Oregon Food Bank has a very organized volunteer program, and provides each group that volunteers the statistics on how many meals they have helped re-package and how many families they have helped.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Betty Greene
Email Address: RCGC_Gators@bellsouth.net

Project Description

Date: May 19

The Rocket City Gator Club will be organizing a Fan and Weather Radio drive. The purpose of this event is to collect electric fans, small A/C window units, and weather radios for the needy families and individuals in North Alabama on behalf of CASA (Care Assurance System for the Aging and Homebound) of Madison County, Alabama. RCGC has organized this event for several years with great success as part of International Gator Day activities in May. The event will be held at at least two locations in the Huntsville/Madison area. Donors will be asked to drop off the fans or other donations at these locations where representatives of RCGC will be available to receive them. The donations will then be delivered to CASA, which will distribute the items to needy individuals for use during the hot summer months.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Brian Campbell
Email Address: bc.colorado@yahoo.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

World Vision is a Christian humanitarian organization dedicated to working with children, families, and their communities worldwide to reach their full potential by tackling the causes of poverty and injustice. The Rocky Mountain Gator Club will be helping sort and package items to be sent to needy families around the world.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Sydne McMahon
Email Address: sydne525@aol.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

The San Diego Gators will be volunteering at a local food bank. We will be there to help set up and hand out food to families, and play with their children while the parents select the food needed to feed their families. As an added bonus, we will be spending some time with the Kinder-Gators from Pioneer Elementary School who adopted the University of Florida. The children sing us our fight songs and teach us what they are going to do so they can attend the University of Florida.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Steve Wood
Email Address: gatorsjca@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: Apr 21

Supporting Pat Run's by handling out Gatorade.

What: Support Pat’s Run for San Francisco Bay Area Gator Club International Gator Day Activity
When: April 21, 2012
Time: 9am to 11am or until the last participate makes turn
Where South San Jose, Los Alamitos Creek Trail
Activity: Staff the half way point by handing out Gatorade, making sure people turn around, and cheer ing on the runners and walkers.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Michael Leggett
Email Address: mikepleggett@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: Apr 15

Our Gator Inspiration: Ryan's Story

Here at the Seattle Gator Club we have are blessed to have such an inspirational Gator Alum in Ryan Asdourian. Not only is he a gator alum, but he was Albert as well! In 2011 he was nominated for MS Walk's Volunteer of the year below is an excerpt of his story:

"Ryan Asdourian's day job is the Hardware Marketing Lead for the OEM division at Microsoft. Out of the office on the field, Ryan regularly energizes thousands of football fans as the adored Seahawk mascot "Blitz". Since Ryan?s diagnosis of multiple sclerosis in 2008, he has emerged as a visionary leader who tirelessly builds awareness of multiple sclerosis and mobilizes people to join the MS Movement. His dedication and generosity to the community is not limited to his involvement with the National MS Society. As the Seahawk mascot ?Blitz,? Ryan has appeared at hundreds of charitable, community and private events for years, to the delight of countless admirers. As a team captain for Walk MS, Ryan has leveraged his influence and connections as ?Blitz? to benefit individuals affected by MS through the Greater Northwest Chapter and nationally. Ryan?s efforts in conjunction with Team Blitz have resulted in over $135,000 to advance the mission of the National MS Society. Ryan?s vision and determination has brought greater awareness of MS and visibility to Walk MS and the MS Movement by attracting media attention nationwide.

In 2010, Ryan was presented with the Volunteer of the Year Award from the Greater Northwest Chapter Board of Trustees in recognition of his tremendous achievements through Walk MS. In 2010, without hesitation, Ryan graciously served as the keynote speaker for the On the Move Luncheon, inspiring hundreds of supporters and helping the chapter raise over $350,000. Ryan lent his leadership to launch an internal alias at Microsoft for employees interested in the MS movement. This trusted internal alias, MS@MS, provides an online community for employees at Microsoft to anonymously connect with each other, promote fundraising activities for the Society, and share information."

Here is a link to his award in 2010 for the Northwest Chapter of MS.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jgVghPCmp0M&context=C3886a23ADOEgsToPDskK5sVO8oD8brtK4sTjpuQPZ

Our Vision

Here at the University of Florida we take great pride in being part of the Gator Nation. Nothing speaks to the core of being a Gator then what we hope to accomplish this year. We have set up this page to represent all of Gator Nation (not just Seattle Gators) in a collaborative effort to raise awareness and support for a great cause, a cause which hits close to home.

In addition to supporting individually on this site, we ask you take part in the walk in your home town. We will gladly support you with any information/contact you may need to be a part of this cause. We also would like you to help raise awareness for MS by walking in Orange and Blue and make sure to take pictures. We would like to create a portfolio representing all Gator Clubs who participated across the nation.

We take great pride in the opportunity that has been given to us and are in full support of our fellow Gator, Ryan Asdourian (Albert & Blitz). We look forward to showing what the Gator Nation is truly about!

If this is something that interests you, please respond to mikepleggett@gmail.com, Subject: MS Walk and we will provide you all the information you need to help us make this the year of the Gator!

Here is the video of the MS Walk from last year!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8O1RSereqA&context=C3886a23ADOEgsToPDskK5sVO8oD8brtK4sTjpuQPZ

Project Contact

Chairperson: Janice Hurdle
Email Address: hurdleswamp@bellsouth.net

Project Description

Date: May 12

This year the South Georgia Gator Club will volunteer with the Second Harvest Food Bank of South Georgia at the Inner Perimeter Road Post Office in Valdosta. We will help unload donated food from incoming postal trucks. We will also help sort food in preparation for pick up by food pantries in our area. Last year letter carriers across South Georgia collected a record total of more than 175,000 lbs of food!! Let's hope that this year is even more successful!

Project Contact

Chairperson: Julee Snitzer Levine
Email Address: juleecees@aol.com

Project Description

Date: Apr 29

We will be volunteering for the 2nd year in a row at the Best Friends Super Animal Adoption Event at the La Brea Tar Pits. We will be helping with everything from registration and sign-in, to playing with animals, to helping to transport them to and from vehicles and so much more. Our official day will be Sunday April 29 from 7am-2pm, but there are other shifts available as well on other days. All volunteers must sign up using this link: http://j.mp/Super2012.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Marianne Graff
Email Address: swflgatorclub@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: Jun 09

We have selected a local soup kitchen this year for International Gator Day. We are very excited about this opportunity. We will be preparing food, feeding the hungry and homeless and cleaning the cafe and kitchen. The shift begins at 8:30 am and goes till cleanup is complete. Usually around 1:30 pm.. Sneakers, Jeans and T-Shirts are suggested. No open toed shoes, shorts or tank tops are allowed. To promote this event, we hope to have some of the local media cover it.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Vanessa Parrish
Email Address: valegre2@hotmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Please join us:
May 19th, 2012 from 10:30 am - 1:30 pm at Gadsden Park, located at 6901 S. MacDill Avenue in Tampa, for the Tampa Gator Club’s International Gator Day Event!

We are partnering with the Joshua House and Big Brothers/Big Sisters to bring a day filled with games and fun to unprivileged children from the Tampa Bay area. We will be hosting our annual kickball game, as well as letting the kids partake in other fun activities. Lunch will be provided to all participants. We are in need of volunteers to help out with the event, which will include setting up,
registration, refereeing the kickball game, as well as clean up after the event. However, if you can’t be there in person, we are also in need of donations of food and funds to help put the event on.

If you are able to help out, or you have any question about the event or donations, please contact Vanessa at valegre2@hotmail.com

Thanks for your help and we look forward to seeing you there!

Project Contact

Chairperson: Betty Culbreath
Email Address: Betty611@comcast.net

Project Description

Date: May 19

Members of the Taylor County Gator Club will be presenting a sponsorship check on May 19 to the Big Bend Hospice in support of their annual fundraiser on June 8, 2012. In addition, club members will be selling tickets for the event, helping at the ticket table the night of the event and helping to set up and clean up the efent.

The event is held ot raise funds for non-reimbursable programs, chaplains, grief support counselors, music therapists and to also help patients with needs sush as Ensure, electric bills, food, etc.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Lindsey Stevens
Email Address: lstevens@jou.ufl.edu

Project Description

Date: May 19

8:00 am to 1:00 pm
Roll up your sleeves and bring your sun screen! We’ll be building great Gator friendships as well as a rope fence for the Boys & Girls Club of Alachua County. It’s a fun way to give back to your local Gator community! Materials will be supplied, but feel free to bring your own work gloves and a hat.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Deborah Ramsey
Email Address: djrgator@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 12

We are going to collect food donations for the 2nd Harvest Food Bank and help sort donated items from all their contributors onsite at the Food Bank on Saturday May 12th. We collected donations all during this past football season and will top off the project with this spring's donation.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Gary Lannan
Email Address: gjlgator@bellsouth.net

Project Description

Date: May 19

The Triangle Gator Club will pick up road side trash on our Adopt-A-Highway on Saturday, May 19 at 8:00am. Our two mile stretch is on Glenwood Ave. (Highway 70) in Raleigh. We pick up between the CarMax and the Angus Barn. Rain date will be Saturday, May 26.

Project Contact

Chairperson: Alexander West
Email Address: alexw043@ufl.edu

Project Description

Date: May 19

The Greenville Zoo has brought on volunteers this Spring to aid in grounds-keeping projects, from basic cleanup in the public access areas to mulching/ gardening. The Upstate Gator Club will be volunteering from 9AM to at least 1AM.

Project Contact

Chairperson: SArah Morgan Thompson
Email Address: sarahmorganthompson@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

Hands on DC's biggest event is a one-day Work-a-thon held every spring. During the Work-a-thon, approximately 2,000 volunteers spend the day at one of about 30 DC public schools. Their work typically involves projects such as painting, cleaning, or landscaping. Other projects require greater skills and resources, such as repairing bathrooms, laying carpet, building tree boxes or wiring classrooms for Internet access.


Creating a better environment for learning is just one of the ways volunteers help local students. They also raise money to fund college scholarships administered by local tutoring and mentoring organizations, and they learn about the condition of and the people involved in the schools. That knowledge helps build support for public education.

Volunteers arrive at their school and sign-in 5/19/2012 8:45 am - 9:15 am
Volunteers work on projects 5/19/2012 9:15 am - 12:00 pm
Lunch 5/19/2012 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
Volunteers finish projects 5/19/2012 1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Volunteers clean-up project area 5/19/2012 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm
Volunteers go home and rest 5/19/2012 3:00 pm - 8:00 pm
Celebration Party - Location TBD 5/19/2012 8:00 pm - 11:00 pm

Project Contact

Chairperson: Jacki Klutcharch
Email Address: jacki.klutcharch@gmail.com

Project Description

Date: May 19

International Gator Day - Volunteer Opportunity!

Join the Windy City Gators and fellow Gators across the country on
International Gator Day on Saturday, May 19!

This year, the Windy City Gator Club will be volunteering at the Shedd
Aquarium, from 9 a.m.—12 p.m. Our group will be assisting their Horticulture
Department and will be helping out in their gardens on their property.

Please wear clothing that you can get dirty. Hats, sunscreen and water bottles are also recommended. Parking is located at Solider Field, for $7.
Carpooling is recommended. Jacki will help to coordinate this.

For more information or to sign up, please e-mail Jacki at jacki.klutcharch@windycitygators.com

Project Contact

Chairperson: Jacki Klutcharch
Email Address: jacki.klutcharch@windycitygators.com

Project Description

Date: Jun 03

International Gator Day - Volunteer Opportunity!

Join the Windy City Gators and fellow Gators across the country on
International Gator Day on Sunday, June 3!

This year, the Windy City Gator Club will be volunteering at the Shedd
Aquarium, from 9 a.m.—12 p.m. Our group will be assisting their Horticulture
Department and will be helping out in their gardens on their property.

Please wear clothing that you can get dirty. Hats, sunscreen and water bottles are also recommended. Parking is located at Solider Field, for $7.

Carpooling is recommended. Jacki will help to coordinate this.

For more information or to sign up, please e-mail Jacki at jacki.klutcharch@windycitygators.com

*All volunteers will receive a pass into Shedd following volunteering.