HeroesHappen.com is a compilation of all the wonderful nonprofit organizations Aprilanne Hurley has worked with over the years as a TV news reporter and television producer together with her idea of creating a “match-making” site geared towards individuals looking for more meaning in their lives through volunteering and giving back through community service.   Site visitors can be confidant in knowing Aprilanne has either personally or professionally worked with every organization recommended on this site.

HeroesHappen.com is a unique “Volunteer-Opportunity-Match-Making” resource tool designed with people of all ages in mind!  The best part is – whatever your interests are -  there is a good chance a volunteer organization is waiting for you to apply your passion and skills to help them with their mission in serving the community!

Do you love animals, children, people?  Are you good with your hands – love to garden – cook – build things? HeroesHappen.com will have  a “Volunteer-Op for you!

We are excited for the unlimited, ongoing potential this site offers web-visitors and the community, and will be keeping it fresh and alive with new content and volunteer opportunities as they “happen.”

If you are a volunteer organization looking for volunteers – let us know, we would love to meet you and find out more about the services you provide the community, and if you are interested in volunteering and don’t see something  here for you please contact Aprilanne @ info@insidelooktv.com and we will find the perfect volunteer opportunity to match your interests and lifestyle – that’s Our Mission!

 About the photo:  Aprilanne took this photo of one of her twin lambs – “Dakota” when she was approxiamtely 6 months old.  This photo has not been touched, altered or otherwise adjusted in any way.

Marine Mammal Center's Adopt a Seal "Poster Seal" - Astro

March 6, 2010 – Marin County, CA – Whether you are interested in helping animals, people, or marine mammals like “Astro” featured here – when you give your time and  yourself to your communtity you will sucumb to the great feeling known in the volunteer world as the “helpers high!”

Check out the volunteer categories on this site that may be of interest to you and start tapping into those  “feel good endorphins” when you do something nice – like volunteer!

Visit Aprilanne.com - For recent post on “helpers high” and “Your Ultimate Guide to Good Living!”

This little guy is just way too cute for words!

Animal shelters and pet adoption organizations around the country offer interested volunteers the opportunity to work with and help rescue and ferral animals in need.If you live in the SF Bay Area and are looking for a great place to volunteer check out The Marin Humane Society located in Novato, CA  - which was voted the “Best Place to Volunteer in Marin” by the Pacific Sun.”    The Marin Humane Society offers volunteer orientations for community members interested in working with and helping animals.

As this is a very popular “Volunteer Op” there may not always be openings in the training sessions so if working with furry creatures of all sizes and shapes is calling you – Your Mission is to check out the links below and learn more TODAY!

 Marin Humane Society – Volunteer Opportunites   

Help Marin Humane Society's SHARE Program bring more smiles to more faces

 The MHS – “SHARE’ Program - Special Human-Animal Relationships - is a rewarding program offering opportunities to work with animals and seniors in the community.

MHS Youth/Student Volunteer Ops - Very popular so check in often and early each season to find out what Student Volunteer Ops they have to offer.

If you answered yes to the above – Your Mission is to check out the Search & Rescue Volunteer Ops with Marin County Search & Rescue TODAY!

Marin Search & Rescue is a Division of Marin County Sheriff Robert T. Doyle’s Office and is comprised of about 50% Adults and 50% youth members.  Applications for Spring 2010 Recruitment are due March 5th, 2010 so if the idea of this Volunteer OP has you packing your “Survival Kit” check out it!  Keep in mind, there are required monthly and/or weekly meetings, required bootcamp trainings, and you need to be available 24/7 to respond to a Search & Rescue Mission call.

For the Inside Look at what goes on behind the scenes to keep Marin County safe - check out producer and show host Aptilanne’s Hurley’s: “Are We Prepared?”  Video On-Demand below::

Click here for a behind the scenes look at Disaster Preparedness in Marin County, CA

 If you don’t live in/near the Marin/San Francisco Bay Area and want to look into Search & Rescue Ops in your area check with your local Sheriff’s Department for details on what volunteer resources and recommendations they have for you – and Good Luck!

"When a community invests in it's youth - it's youth will grow up and re-invest in their community."

There are a number of wonderful organizations specializing in helping our youth develop into confidant, smart, caring, young adults.  This category will be updated on an ongoing basis to provide trusted resources for you to consider when looking to contribute your time and energy to helping out youth in need.

A great resource for volunteer programs geared towards helping children get ahead in life is the Boys & Girls Clubs of America.  They conduct an indepth qualifying and reference process to ensure the safety and well being of their clients.

At Firesquirts - children learn to trust others and themselves...

Right now, get an “INSIDE LOOK” at the Novato Fire Foundation’s Fire Squirts Camp, which is a week long adventure providing the “chance of a lifetime” for at-risk children. Campers learn teamwork, life building and life saving skills, self confidence, and trust in others.

Another idea is to take a lifesaving class with your local Red Cross Chapter - which will get you closer to “being ready for anything” when the time comes to step in and volunteer to save a life.  Aprilanne

"Showcase" Volunteers get exposed to great designers and people with similar interests!

One of my favorite nonprofit events that offers great volunteer opportunities is The Marin Designers Showcase.  California Living produced and aired 3 Home Design Specials on this main fundraising event for the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership of Marin.  

We’ll be putting CA Living’s Inside Look’ at the 38th Annual Marin Designer Showcase On-demand here soon, which reveals how a 100+ year old, 6,500 square foot “summer cottage” was transformed into an elegant estate for Showcase. 

In the meantime, if you’re into ‘Home Design” Your Mission is to check out the Volunteer Ops waiting for you @ Center for Volunteer & Nonprofit Leadership of Marin.

It’s also worth repeating that the American Red Cross offers the ability to search for volunteer opportunities in your area by visiting their site as well so please check it out and let us know how you make out!

Don't you just want to take this cute little thing home with you?

Hands down – one of the most rewarding  “Volunteer Ops” you’ll find is with The Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA. 

If you are ready to dedicate your time and efforts to complete the orientations and training, and do what it takes to be successful in this rewarding field of working with our marine mammals then this is your mission:  

Contact The Marine Mammal Center at Volunteer@tmmc.org or visit their website @   www.tmmc.org , or call 415.289.7374

“Find the Hero in YOU – Today!”

“Be a part of the solution and Voluteer Today!

You can train to become a volunteer at the WildCare Hospital – the bonus is – you’ll gain as much or more than the animals will from this incredibly rewarding experience…

You can also Volunteer as a Terwilliger Nature Guide  if enjoying the great outdoors is more your style.  Orientations are ongoing and like many of the most sought after ‘Volunteer Ops” can fill up quickly so if working with wild life in the great outdoors is your mission – check it out TODAY!

 Please visit WildCare.org for more info and Volunteer Orientation Sign-ups! 

"Get in touch with the Hero in YOU!"

Marin County, CA -2/22/2010: HeroesHappen.com lauches Public Awareness TV Campaign:  “Find the HERO in YOU!”

“Your Mission – should you choose to accept it – is to get out and volunteer today!”

This site offers a user-friendly “Find Your Match -Volunteer Opportunity Resource Toolkit” for people of all ages interested in helping their communites find engaging, meaningful, and FUN “Volunteer Ops” that will match an indivdual’s special interests and lifesyles.