VIPS Falmouth High School Student Volunteer of the Month

For several years, Falmouth VIPS has featured a Student Volunteer of the Month at Falmouth High School. This program was started with a grant from the Falmouth Education Foundation to acknowledge and celebrate students who share their time with community and school causes. The only requirement is that students must log their hours with VIPS. There is no minimum number of hours, but past recipients have a variety of causes and activities on their list.

Our Student Volunteer of the Month

Joseph Simpkins

Joseph is the December Student Volunteer of the Month. He is a member of the FHS Cross Country, Track and Sailing teams. Joseph is a member of the National Honors Society, the Math Honors Society, and the Music Honors Society. For each, he has volunteered as a peer tutor and participated in fundraising efforts. Joseph has earned many academic honors, including a commendation for the 2022 National Merit Scholarship Program, AP Scholar with Honor, 2022 Rotary Club of Falmouth Youth Merit Award, a 2022 Trustees of the Falmouth Public Library Book Award in Math, a 2022 Bausch and Lomb Honorary Science Award, and 2020 and 2022 second place honors at the Falmouth Public Schools Science and Engineering Fair. At the community level, Joseph has volunteered for the Falmouth Road Race, the Cape Cod Marathon, the American Lung Association, assisting elderly community members with seasonal needs, and Junior Class Work Day. He is the son of Grace and Mike Simpkins of East Falmouth.

... and our recently featured Falmouth High School student volunteers

Katie Shanahan

Corey Martin

Amena Weiffenbach

Katie was the September Student Volunteer of the Month. She serves as secretary for the Class of 2023.  Katie is a member of 3 Varsity teams:  Field Hockey, Ice Hockey, and Golf, earning Captain honors for all three. Katie has earned numerous awards for scholastics and athletics at the league level as well as the state level for both Boston Globe and Boston Herald All-scholastic teams for all. She is a member of National Honors Society, National Art Honors Society (serving as treasurer), and Mu Alpha Theta Honors Society. She has made the FHS Honor Roll since she was a freshman. Katie volunteers for Falmouth Road Race, events at Teaticket Elementary School including PE classes, ice cream socials, art shows, and field days. She is also volunteer with the Falmouth Field Hockey youth clinics. Katie is the daughter of Carrie and Chris Shanahan of East Falmouth.

Corey was the October Student Volunteer of the Month. Patrick is a member and student representative for the Class of 2023. He is a 4-year member of the FHS Honor Roll and a member of the FHS Culinary Advisory Board. Corey has played soccer all four years and earned a sportsmanship award for the Cape and Islands League. He is a member of the local amateur boxing club, Salty Dog Boxing. For many years, Corey was a competitive gymnast and earned a first-place award at a USA Gymnastics event in Las Vegas. Corey volunteers for the Falmouth Road Race, the Seagull 6 Road Race, the VIPS Elementary Track Meet, and served as a Falmouth Rec Center Summer Camp junior counselor. Corey is the son of Gail Corey and Kyle Martin of East Falmouth.

Amena was the November Student Volunteer of the Month. She is a member of the FHS Class of 2023. Amena is co-president of the FHS Gifford Street Writers, the creative writing club. She is also a member of the Math Team and the Women in STEM Club. Amena has made High Honor Roll at FHS since her freshman year. She is a member of the National Honors Society and Spanish Honors Society. Amena volunteers at the Falmouth Dog Park and at the Falmouth Congregational Church's summer daycare program where she taught children Spanish. She also serves as a math tutor and volunteered to rake lawns. Amena is the daughter of Chaminaa and Paul Weiffenbach of Falmouth. 

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Student Volunteer Opportunities with Local Organizations

The following organizations have expressed an interest in student volunteers. Please note that some have age restrictions and may require training, references and/or interviews. 
300 Committee (Falmouth’s Land Trust)
Occasional opportunities for students interested in pursuing an environmental or conservation-related project. saveland@300committee.org, (508) 540-0876.
 
A Place at the Table (St. Barnabas Church)
Tuesdays (year round), 11:30 am - 1:00 pm, Help with food preparation, greet guests. (508) 548-3863, or email Becky Vaus at becky@stbsfalmouth.org

Atria at Woodbriar
339 Gifford St., Ages 16+ to help transport wheelchair patients to dining room from 4:45-6 p.m. Students who can provide musical entertainment (piano on premises) for residents before or after dinner, play checkers, tape stories of veterans, etc. (508) 444-0340, Lynn or Jacqui Emrich, jacqueline.emrich@atriaseniorliving.com
 
Cape Cod Children’s Museum
Ages 15+, school vacation help, other tasks. info@capecodchildrensmuseum.org, (508) 539-8788, Lisa Bates.

Challenger Club of Cape Cod
Mission is to enrich the quality of life for children and young adults with physical and/or developmental disabilities by providing them with opportunity to participate in a variety of athletic, recreational and social activities. www.capecodchallenger.org, info@capecodchallenger.org. (508) 420-6950, x 1136.

Falmouth Community Television (FCTV)
Internship and volunteer opportunities, Youth Producers Club (Tuesdays, 3-5 pm) provides training in video production, running a camera, directing a live show, and editing through hands-on projects with instruction. Allen Russell, allen@fctv.org, (508) 457-0800.
 
Falmouth Dog Park
Information and online form available at falmouthdogpark.com/volunteer or call (508) 331-2929.

Falmouth Hospital
Ages 15-17, summer only. Completion of training program (June) required; work on clinical floors, in dietary dept., deliver mail and flowers, special projects. Age 18+, additional opportunities available including emergency dept. shanley@capecodhealth.org, (508) 457-3521, Susan Hanley

Falmouth Recreation Center
Help coach sports teams, help students with homework, join teen council, work with other teens to promote teen center activities, etc. (508) 457-2567, ext. 216, Joe Olenick, joe.olenick@falmouthma.gov
 
Falmouth Senior Center
Student opportunities include computer support (assisting seniors using laptops, iPads, cell phones, etc.); snow shoveling (shoveling driveways and walkways of seniors); and marketing assistance. Jill Irving Bishop, director, jill.bishop@falmouthma.gov, (508) 540-0196.

Falmouth Volunteers in Public Schools
Many opportunities available within the Falmouth school system including homework help, tutoring, music/art/phys ed assistance, after school programs, mentoring, etc. VIPS will match your interests, skills & schedule with a need. (508) 548-1621, vips@falmouth.k12.ma.us.
 
Friends of Falmouth Bikeways
Help count bikers, path cleanup and maintenance. Falmouth.bikers@yahoo.com.
 
Neighborhood Falmouth
Help seniors stay in their homes by assisting with moving furniture, light housekeeping, etc.  (508) 564-7543,  director@neighborhoodfalmouth.org/forms.html

People for Cats
Students 16+; help socializing the cats which involves grooming and play time. info@peopleforcats.org, (508) 540-5654, Joan King

Saint Joseph Guardian of the Holy Family
Main St, Falmouth. Help with Faith Formation classes. (508) 548-3515, Jonathan Galo, jgalo@falmouthcatholic.org

Together We Can
High school students to assist with a myriad of local projects:  dog park, teen center, etc. Every January, they begin planning to the after prom party and always need help. (508) 274-0505, info@falmouthtogetherwecan.org