Frequently Asked Questions

Questions Concerning Sign Up, Scheduling and Completing Activities

How do I get started?


How do I sign up for projects?

After logging in at http://www.virginmobilefestival.com/freeip, click on the Sign Up link to see a calendar of projects. If there is a "Help Wanted" sign on that day, that means there are projects available. Click on the day that you would like to volunteer, and a project listing will appear, such as shelter beautification or assisting in recreational activity. Click the "Schedule Me" button for the project you would like to participate in. You will be asked to confirm your selection.


How do I make a change to my schedule?

Need to make scheduling changes? No problem, just click the "Check Your Schedule." Select the day of the event you would like to remove. After clicking the day, a list should appear and you will see a "Remove Me" button next to any project you are currently signed up for. Simply click the "Remove Me" button for the project you want to remove.


Why do I need to post my hours?

You must post your hours on this system in order to receive credit towards the FREE.I.P. Program. Volunteer coordinators will review and approve hours weekly. All hours must be approved by volunteer coordinators to receive credit.


How do I post my hours?

  1. Before attending any on-site volunteer activity or dropping off a service kit, please download the "Service Reporting Form" from the home page of the Volunteer system (see the section called "Downloadable Forms and Manuals"), print it out, and bring it with you on your service project or Service Kit Drop Off.
  2. At the end of your service project or Service Kit Drop Off, turn in your completed Service Reporting Form to the volunteer coordinator on site. Make sure to keep the Volunteer Service Receipt portion of the form for your records.
  3. Post your hours online after your activity is complete by logging into the Volunteer Site and clicking on the TIME SHEET tab. Select the date and hours that you served. The Volunteer Service Receipt will help you remember the exact service dates, times, kits/hours you completed.
  4. If you are submitting Service Kits, remember that each kit equals one hour of service. Please post your hours by starting with the time you dropped off your kits. For example, if you drop off 13 kits at 9am, please enter your service as 9:00am - 10:00pm (13 hours).
  5. Site coordinators will approve the hours posted each week based on completion of your Service Reporting form.

How do I post hours for the Service Kits I've assembled?

When scheduling a project, the system only allows you to select the drop off time you intend to use. You must manually post your hours in the TIME SHEET tab after completing and dropping off Service Kits. Remember that 1 kit =1 hour. Here's how to post:

  1. Click on the tab labeled TIME SHEET.
  2. Select the date you dropped off your Service Kits from the calendar. (Please reference the "Volunteer Service Receipt" you received when dropping off your kits.)
  3. Please select your hours by starting with the time you dropped off your kits. For example, if you drop off 13 kits at 9am, please enter your service as 9:00am - 10:00pm (13 hours).

All service hours/kits you post online will be reviewed each week and must be approved by a site coordinator.


How do I assemble service kits?

Please download the Service Kit Manual (see a link for download in the "Downloadable Forms & Manuals" section on the home page for the Volunteer Site) The manual provides information on not only what is required for each kit but helpful suggestions to help you organize a drive for materials. Please note: items for kits can be purchased directly by the participant if not organizing a drive. However a drive is a fun and inexpensive way to involve others.


Can I switch my location?

Yes, but you will lose credit for any volunteer hours earned through a different challenge/offer. You must e-mail freeip@virginmobilefreefest.com to switch locations.


Can I have someone drop off a service kit for me?

No. You need to be present with a valid I.D. and your completed "Service Reporting Form." If you are under 18 years of age we will also require a "Volunteer Parent Permission Form" signed by your parent/guardian (downloadable from the "Downloadable Forms & Manuals" section on the home page).


How do I pick up my tickets?


Can I get hours before July 6th and/or get credit for volunteering for non-RE*Generation projects?

No, all volunteer hours will be credited for the specified volunteer period in their respective locations and must be coordinated through the Virgin Mobile FREE.I.P. program. Volunteer periods for each location are as follows:


Can I complete all my hours in one location?

Yes. You don't have to volunteer at multiple homeless youth agencies. You should pick the project and agency that is most convenient for you.


Questions Concerning Required Forms & Manuals

What is the Service Kit Manual and where do I find it?

The Service Kit Manual can be downloaded from the "Downloadable Forms & Manuals" section on the home page of the Volunteer Site. The manual provides information on what items are required for each kit and helpful suggestions to help you organize a drive for materials.


What is the Service Kit Manual and where do I find it?

The Service Reporting Form can be downloaded from the "Downloadable Forms & Manuals" section on the home page of the Volunteer Site. This form intended to help both you and the volunteer site coordinator track your volunteer/kit hours. You should download, print, and bring the Service Reporting Form to each project or Service Kit Drop Off you sign up for. At the end of your service project or Service Kit Drop Off, turn in your completed Service Reporting Form to the volunteer coordinator on site. Make sure to keep the Volunteer Service Receipt portion of the form for your records.


What is the Volunteer Parent Permission Form and where do I find it?

The Volunteer Parent Permission Form can be downloaded from the "Downloadable Forms & Manuals" section on the home page of the Volunteer Site. Volunteers under 18 years of age as of commencement date of applicable program are required to have their parents sign this consent form before they can participate in any volunteer activities. The signed form should be turned in to the volunteer coordinator on site at the BEGINNING of the volunteer project or upon Service Kit Drop Off.


Questions Concerning Eligibility to Participate

What if I don't live in the specific areas you list?

Unfortunately, this opportunity is only available in the select cities listed.


Do I have to be a certain age to participate?

Yes, you must be 16 years of age or older as of commencement date of applicable program in order to participate.


Can I perform volunteer activity in one city but win ticket/s in another city's program?

No. Your volunteer service will only apply to the applicable program/city that you signed up for.


Do I need to live 100 miles from the city in order to participate?

Yes, you must live within a 100-mile radius of any of the eligible cities and perform your volunteer service in that area via our sign up process in order to qualify. Residency does not need to be permanent, therefore students, interns and others temporarily living within the 100-mile radius of an eligible city may qualify.


Other Ways to Get Involved

If I can't attend Virgin Mobile's FreeFest, how else can I get involved?

You can support FreeFest and our initiative to help homeless youth by texting "FREEFEST" to 20222 to donate $5. Remember to reply YES to the confirmation message. All donations will be collected by Virgin Unite, the charitable foundation of the Virgin Group, and benefit our RE*Generation charitable partners for street outreach and transitional living programs.


Other Ways to Get Tickets

How do I find out about some of the opportunities in Howard County?

Howard County was awarded General Admission tickets for volunteer opportunities within the county and across the state of Maryland. Visit www.sos.howardcountymd.gov to find out about volunteer opportunities hosted by Howard County.