'Robyn Benda'

It’s that time of year, driving home I can see all the Halloween decorations in the front yards. Leaves blowing across the street and soon we will see kids running around in costumes on Halloween night. As a parent, I get excited and fearful for this event. Seeing my children helping each other getting ready with their costumes, make-up and then out the door for treat or treating. The joy of this annual family tradition, yet the worry of the surroundings, watching running excited children for candy, crossing streets without looking and cars in the dark. How do we keep this yearly tradition safe?

Safe Kids Grand Forks is an organization that brings together the expertise of individuals in our community and region who are committed to reducing childhood injuries. Safe Kids has Halloween safety tips and some great resources to help parents and kids reduce risk of injuries. For instance, did you know that carrying glow sticks or flashlights can help your trick or treating experience better, along with letting drivers see your little ones on the street. Some of these resources can help give you some simple creative and safe costume ideas. And good reminders, drive extra safe on Halloween night and to be sure your little trick or treaters are safely buckled when traveling. Find more tips on their website!

If that wasn’t enough, Safe kids has generously been handing out reflective strips for parents and kids. You can pick up a reflective strip and see Safe Kids Grand Forks display here at the East Grand Forks Campbell Library or call Safe Kids Grand Forks 701-780-1489 for more information.

The community has done a great job offering indoor or parking lot events. These are a great fun, safe alternative to “Door” trick or treating. The East Grand Forks Campbell Library will be handing out candy, giveaways, and library information at these two upcoming events:

Halloween Skate & Treat

Tuesday, October 25, 2022
5:00pm - 7:30pm
VFW Arena - East Grand Forks, MN

Entry is $7 and is presented by East Grand Forks Park & Recreation with all proceeds going to the EGF Food Shelf and Northern Lights Figure Skate Club. Wear your costume and bring your skates, as the arena will have concessions, contests, games and skating. Trick or treating will be handed out by our local businesses. Don’t have skates? No problem, skating rentals will be available when you pre-register for the event. You can pre-register and pay online or pay at the door. To can find out more details online or call 218-773-8000.

Haunted Heritage Village

Saturday, October 29, 2022
11:00am - 2:00 pm
Heritage Village - East Grand Forks, MN

Another great event to mark your calendar for is the Annual Haunted Heritage Village. This event is generally steered towards children pre-K to grade 3 but this is a family event, all are welcome. Activities include games, crafts, Dakota Science Center providing experiments, trick or treating, and concessions. This is a free event, but will be collecting canned goods and monetary donations for the local food cupboard.

We can’t wait to see all the creative Halloween costumes this week! Have a safe and fun Halloween!

UND Big Event volunteers at the library

Why Volunteer?

Volunteering is you contributing some of your own time, effort, and talent to help people in our community. Volunteers support our community and add to them in their own unique way using a wide variety of skills, knowledge, and experience. So why volunteer? It sounds like I work hard using my talents with very little reward. 

“You make a living by what you get. You make a life by what you give.”  
- Winston Churchill

The benefits and rewards of volunteering can last a lifetime, not only for those who you are helping, but for you as well. If you are on the fence about diving into a new volunteer experience or having doubts about whether volunteering is right for you, you may find yourself surprised at just how much you can gain from taking the plunge. 

Here are some ways volunteering can affect you positively:

Friends of the Library Book Sale volunteers

Meeting New People

Everyone loves new friends! Being a part of a team with a common goal will help form bonds with strangers that can be life changing. Volunteering creates an opportunity to connect with people with specific shared values and common interests. 

Our teen volunteers have dedicated their time to the Summer Reading Program. Each week our volunteers are learning with our summer reading children and making new friends.

Teen volunteers at Summer Reading Program

Expanding Your World

Volunteering might take you to a new part of your community you never been to before. Learning about cultures and ways of life that are different from one of your upbringing will increase your social flexibility and expand your world view. 

Our volunteer Therese comes to the library once a week to tutor Abdi and his brother. Abdi and his family moved to America less than a year ago and has shown patience and determination in learning to speak, read, and write English.

Learning New Skills

Throughout life, we develop social and professional skills that promote personal achievement. Using those skills for a wider, communal impact can be even more fulfilling. Volunteering will enrich your life and give you a broader purpose and a boost of motivation. 

Volunteering offers you new skills that can be used throughout your career, as well. When you have volunteering experience to add to your resume, you stand out over job candidates who don’t take the time to give back to society. Volunteering highlights your character, passion, and determination!

Greater Grand Forks Young Professionals tackling spring cleaning

How Do I Start?

There are many local non-profit organizations that need volunteers. Volunteer opportunities ranging from health care and mental health, sports, childhood development, food pantries and libraries. 

Need help finding the right volunteer opportunity for you?
Here are a few places to start:

• Search online for organizations in your interest area and see if they have a volunteer page on their website
• A few volunteer websites to search: VolunteerMatch.org, PointsofLight.org, Encore.org, and Volunteer.gov
• Contact local community centers, senior centers, or food banks to find out if they need volunteers--they usually are! 

Volunteer at the Library! 
Volunteers are an integral part of the services we provide. We have a wide range of volunteer opportunities for most ages and skill levels! No previous experience is necessary. Contact Robyn at (218)773-9121 / rbenda@egflibrary.org or fill out our Library Volunteer Interest Form to get started.