Volunteer Orientation for the Helping Hands Holiday Dinner 2021

Volunteer Check-In Begins at 9:00a.m. Saturday, December 18

Volunteers MUST be 16 years of age or older! (No exceptions.)

This form must be submitted by Friday, December 10, 2021
Do not bring children with you if you are going to serve as a Volunteer.

Volunteers will not receive toys or gifts.

Volunteers serving community service MUST bring their own forms and MUST get those forms signed on the day they are volunteering. (NO exceptions can be made to this rule.)

It is the intention of Helping Hands to provide toys and a day of fun and food for disadvantage children.

We ask that anyone needing toys attend the Dinner as a guest rather than a volunteer.

If we can make a difference in the life of at least one child… this is what the Dinner is all about! We are glad that you have chosen to “make a difference” with us this year! We want the Dinner to be a positive experience for both our Volunteers and our Guests. For this reason, we provide the following information:

Dress: Please wear comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirty. You will be on your feet a lot and the arena floor is made of dirt. If possible, wear reds, greens, whites or something festive or “holiday looking.” Do not bring anything unnecessary such as purses, organizers or coats (lockers or any other place to keep them will be provided). Depending on the weather, dress warmer than you would if you were staying inside yet cooler than you would if you were going outside.

CARPOOL IF POSSIBLE: Parking is limited at the arena. If at all possible, ride with a friend.

Registration and Check-In: We have asked Volunteers to pre-register. To pre-register, simply complete a Pre-registration sheet and fax it to the number below, or fill out the Online Pre-Registration Sheet. Bring the completed form to the Dinner (if you did it online, please print it out or save a copy to show on a wireless device at check-in) and exchange it at the “Express Check-In” tables (usually at the “food” end of the arena) to receive your name badge.

Job Assignments: At the Volunteer Check-In tables you may be assigned immediately to a work area that needs assistance. If not, please be seated in the stands nearest to the Check-In tables to await your assignment(s). Any Volunteers who are not yet assigned to work areas by the opening of the event will report to the Volunteer Lounge. (We will have an announcement at this time). The Lounge is located on the second floor, above the food area (look for the plate glass windows). Use only the stairs on the right side of the Lounge. The Lounge provides food and beverages throughout the day for the Volunteers, as well as a place to rest when necessary.

Guest Arrival: Helping Hands Holiday Dinner wristbands that have been distributed to disadvantaged children via DFACS, missions, shelters and fire stations as the Guest tickets. This year two different colors of wristbands will signify two arrival times for our Guest. 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Guests arriving prior to their scheduled arrival time will be asked to leave and return at the appropriate time.

Letter Cards: Upon entering the arena, each child is given a letter card (A, B, C, etc.) which is our variation of the “take a number to be served” procedure used in retail.

Santa’s Line: Children with a card of the letter currently being served or a letter that has already been called may get in Santa’s Line. Anyone with a letter that has not yet been posted in the windows of the Volunteers Lounge MUST return to the arena floor.

CHILDREN MUST BE PRESENT TO RECEIVE TOYS FROM SANTA’S ROOM

Unfortunately, there can be no exceptions to this rule.

Lost Children: Any volunteer encountering a lost child during the Dinner should escort the child to the Lost & Found area (ground floor, in front of the Volunteers Lounge). There, volunteers along with police officers will take care of the child while the parent(s) or caretakers are located. If you are volunteering in the Lost & Found area, and upon locating the parent of caretaker of the lost child, you find that the parent or caretaker is serving as a volunteer, please contact a member of the Helping Hands Holiday Dinner Committee immediately.

Rowdy and/or dangerous behavior: Sometimes during an event of this size you could encounter persons behaving in a rowdy, dangerous or unacceptable manner. If this occurs, notify a uniformed police, or a Helping Hands Security person of this situation. Helping Hands Security Personnel will be wearing badges that say“SECURITY.”

WHAT HAPPENS TO THE LEFTOVER FOOD AND TOYS? When we are fortunate enough to have leftovers, many organizations benefit. Leftover food is picked up the night of the Dinner by many other organizations that help to feed needy people.

There are many organizations benefiting disadvantaged children that will receive the Dinner’s extra toys, if there are any. Also, on Christmas Day toys are taken to the children at Hughes Spalding Children’s Hospital, Grady Memorial Hospital & several other shelters. Every toy donated to the Helping Hands Holiday Dinner WILL find its way into the hands of a less fortunate child by Christmas!
HUG AS MANY CHILDREN AS POSSIBLE…… HAVE A SMILE ON YOUR FACE……IF, THROUGH ALL OF OUR EFFORTS, WE HAVE A POSITIVE , LIFE CHANGING IMPACT ON THE LIFE OF AT LEAST ONE CHILD, IT WILL BE WORTH ALL THE EFFORT………………….
THANK YOU FOR BEING A PART OF THE DINNER THIS YEAR………. AND
A SAFE AND HAPPY HOLIDAY SEASON TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY!!!
Toy Drive Info. Line: 678-862-4016 Fax Line: (770) 306-2680

Volunteer Coordinator: Cheryl Brignac 678-862-4016

volunteer@helpinghandsholidaydinner.com

(please note – this is a NEW email address. Please add it to your contacts list so you can receive emails updating any status of the event)

Please like us on Facebook for the latest updates! https://www.facebook.com/HelpingHandsHolidayDinner/