Village Harvest

Volunteer Newsletter, October 9, 2009

 Harvesting for the Hungry - Apples!

Late season apples are in and being harvested as we speak.  Granny Smith, Newtown Pippins, Hauer Pippins, Golden Delicious, ... can you smell the great pies that are being made?  Here are the remaining Apple Harvesting for the Hungry (H4H) events for this season.

Tuesday, October 13th 8:30am - 12:00pm Woodside  (Event Full, no more volunteers needed)
Tuesday, October 13th 8:00am - 12:00pm Sunnyvale (backyards) Help! volunteers needed
Sunday, October 18th 9:00am - 12:30pm Los Altos Hills & Portola Valley (backyards)
Tuesday, October 20th 8:30am - 12:30pm Los Gatos Hills, off Summit Road
Saturday, October 24th 11:00am - 3:30pm Pescadero, off Hwy 1 on the coast (lunch provided)

If you plan on joining in these fun harvests, RSVP by email to events@villageharvest.org indicating the event date, your name, and number of people.  Details, such as the meeting place, will be emailed a few days before the event to confirmed volunteers. 

All first time volunteers need to fill out our Volunteer Registration form online first so we have your contact info, then RSVP by email to events@villageharvest.org

General Instructions for harvesting volunteers:

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Persimmons are coming!

Yes, the persimmons are ripening and we're looking forward to a great persimmon harvest this year - this picture was taken today.  Last year, the persimmon harvest failed due to rain during blossom time, but this year the trees  are abundant with fruit.

Did you know that when Village Harvest started, Second Harvest Food Bank would look at us funny for bringing in just 1000 lbs of persimmons?  Who wants these???  Well,... nearly all the ethnic minorities in this area.  Since then we've grown to harvest over 15,000 lbs of persimmons in a season.  That's a huge increase in demand from those first years.

Starting the end of October, through November and the early part of December we'll be harvesting persimmons for those in need.  See our events calendar and sign up for the days that you're available.  And ... get ready for the most visually beautiful fruit of the year.

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 First ever Phone-a-thon: Calling Persimmon Tree Owners

Like to talk to people, and want help Village Harvest quickly reach all the homeowners with persimmon fruit?  We're having our first Phone-a-Thon next week. 

Why?  With growth and the recent press we now have over 200 homeowners that have called in with persimmon trees.  We want to touch bases with them to find out which ones need help harvesting their fruit and to refer others to the newly established homeowner donation program.  So, we're having a little party and Phone-a-thon to make this fun and fast.

Date:        Thursday, October 15th
Time:        5:00pm - 8:00pm
Place:       Joni's home in West San Jose
Bring:        Cell phones with extra minutes, smile to your voice, snack to share.

If you don't have a cell phone, don't worry, we have many, just come.  If you can only spare an hour or two, that's fine too.  We're hoping that the more the merrier and faster. =)

Details will be provided to those that RSVP.  Please respond to joni@villageharvest.org

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In Memory of Rosemary Stasek

Rosemary StasekVillage Harvest Board Director Rosemary Stasek passed away in September after an illness, in Afghanistan where she's spent most of the last 5 years helping Afghan women. Not only will VH miss her knowledge and talents, but many other community organizations as well. You can read more about this inspirational leader in the Mountain View Voice and the San Jose Mercury News.

Rosemary first came to meet Joni and Village Harvest because of her passion for making jams and preserves.  The fact that she was then the successful mayor of a major town - Mountain View - was incidental to her many interests.  Rosemary, thank you for helping Village Harvest grow and thrive.

In her short time, she made this world a better place.  Services will be held on October 23rd, 12 noon, at the Performing Arts Center in downtown Mountain View.

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 Last Chance - EcoMetro Guide - shop eco-friendly and support Village Harvest

EcoMetro GuideVillage Harvest is selling the "EcoMetro Guide" for Silicon Valley/Santa Cruz, loaded with money saving coupons plus directories and resources for living green.  There are lots of well known businesses plus new discoveries; coupons include grocery, dining, entertainment, travel, garden and home. Coupons are good through October 2010, so it makes a great gift and will pay for itself many times over.

The EcoMetro Guide is $20 and will be available for purchase at harvesting events through Oct. 15.  For more info or to order direct, contact craig@villageharvest.org and arrange pick up or mailing ($2 extra).  VH receives a substantial portion of the price - buy and give plenty!

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 Upcoming Events

Pear OrchardVisit the online calendar at www.villageharvest.org/events.htm.  Events do fill up, so sign up early to ensure a place. 

How to volunteer:

South Bay Online calendar as of 10/8/09, additional events are being scheduled.  Details and sign up online.

Tue Oct 13 8:00 am – 12pm Sunnyvale - Community Fruit Harvesting - SCS, 725 Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale. Note: Tuesday for SCS, this time only
Tue Oct 13 8:30 am – 12:30pm Apples, Woodside (event full, no more volunteers needed)
Thurs Oct 15 5:00 pm - 8:00 pm Phone-a-thon: Calling Persimmon Tree Owners (West SJ)
Sun Oct 18 9am – 12:30pm Mt View - Community Fruit Harvesting - CSA, 204 Stierlin Rd., Mountain View
Tue Oct 20 8:30am – 12pm SJ central - Community Fruit Harvest
Sat Oct 24 11am - 3pm H4H - Apples - Pescadero (on the Hwy 1 coast)
Mon Oct 26 8am – 12pm Sunnyvale - Community Fruit Harvesting - SCS, 725 Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale
Tue Oct 27 8:30am – 12pm SJ central - Community Fruit Harvest
Sun Nov 1 9am - 12:30am Mt View - Community Fruit Harvesting - CSA, 204 Stierlin Rd., Mountain View
Tue Nov 3 8:30am – 12pm SJ central - Community Fruit Harvest
Sat Nov 7 8:30am – 12:30pm H4H Persimmons - Palo Alto - Meet Conexions, 1023 Corporation Way, Palo Alto
Mon Nov 9 8am – 12pm Sunnyvale - Community Fruit Harvesting - 725 Kifer Rd, Sunnyvale
Tue Nov 10 8:30am – 12pm SJ central - Community Fruit Harvest
Sun Nov 15 9am - 12:30am Mt View - Community Fruit Harvesting - CSA, 204 Stierlin Rd., Mountain View
Tue Nov 17 8:30am – 12pm SJ central - Community Fruit Harvest

www.villageharvest.org
(888) FRUIT-411

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Sent by Village Harvest, PO Box 9231, San Jose, CA 95157.

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