[Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community servicegroupseminar at national convention
Darian Smith
dsmithnfb at gmail.com
Sun Feb 16 16:38:00 UTC 2014
Hello all,
I’ve heard of some very interesting ideas we might consider at national Convention.
unfortunately I think I’ve only gotten one or two ideas as to what we might want to have on our annual seminar agenda. For those who have never been (shame on you; come this year! *smile*) we typically have a two- hour long meeting with presenters who talk about the various perception-changing service projects they have done. Things that have influential in altering how they view both society and blindness. the idea is that others may feel inspired to serve, to use the belief and skills of blindness to move beyond blindness in service.
We also look for any agencies that typically need people to help in providing service. We don’t look for agencies that have the opportunities blind people would be “good” at, but rather things that people can involve themselves in. So if you have any ideas of agencies such as boys and girls clubs, habitat for humanity, or anything similar, that would be wonderful to hear.
on the matter of activities at convention; seems like these activities would require room space. I have either submitted or am working to submit room requests for events. one has been submitted for seminar and another for a potential fundraising event is in the works.
If there is an idea that people feel particularly strong about, and a person is willing to take personal responsibility for it’s coordination (we are a service-oreiented group after all) Please contact me directly and we’ll work through what we have to do to make sure it happens.
Thanks for the great ideas- keep them coming!
Darian
On Feb 16, 2014, at 8:18 AM, Serena Nickell <scnickell1980 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi, I recently began volunteering with an organization that helps the homeless. In addition to the above items we also give out small flashlights and batteries (usually AA and AAA).
> Serena
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Feb 16, 2014, at 10:09 AM, "Michelle Clark" <mcikeyc at aol.com> wrote:
>>
>> Hi Michelle,
>>
>> Here is a list of the items we generally add. Also, at the bottom, I added a
>> draft of a letter I sent out to just people on my email list and the
>> Chapter. Hope it helps anyone who is interested in doing something like
>> this.
>>
>> One other thing we do when we get large bottles of lotion, shampoo, ect is
>> we hold them out and make up a gift type bag to give out as a special gift.
>> My Church has a Christmas Party for a few local Women's Shelters and we give
>> to them as well. This year, they had so much stuff left over they gave the
>> rest to our Chapter!
>>
>> Items we include:
>>
>> 1. Wash cloths
>> 2. Soap
>> 3. Toothpaste
>> 4. Toothbrushes
>> 5. Lotion or petroleum jelly
>> 6. Shampoo
>> 7. Conditioner
>> 8. Mouthwash/non-alcoholic
>> In the past we have gotten a mixture of things such as:
>> Toilet paper
>> Mens deodorant
>> Women's deodorant
>> Sanitary items
>> Combs
>>
>>
>> Draft Letter:
>>
>> Hello,
>>
>> The National Harbor Chapter of the National Federation of the Blind of
>> Maryland is a non-profit group of blind persons striving to help others in
>> the Prince Georges County area who happen to be blind and low vision. We
>> help one another through advocacy, outreach, networking, and sharing. Also,
>> in the vision of our National Headquarters, we not only help ourselves, we
>> help others.
>>
>> This, in our fourth year, we will continue in our outreach to others with a
>> toiletries drive to donate Hygiene Kits to homeless persons. As we did last
>> year through an array of generous donations, we were able to give out
>> approximately 120 bags of toiletries to assist persons who are in a state
>> of homelessness. In addition, we were able to donate additional kits to a
>> local church that regularly visits a shelter for women and children.
>>
>> Since homelessness is on the rise and help is needed, our continual goal is
>> to combine hygiene kits and distribute them to as many as we can. We are
>> partnering with a local non-profit agency that runs shelters and feed
>> homeless persons in Prince Georges County. They distribute these items when
>> a person enters the shelters. We are asking your assistance with donations
>> of toiletry items that will help us in this effort and please forward this
>> message to anyone you feel will assist.
>>
>> In specific we are asking for any combination of:
>> 1. Soap
>> 2. Shampoo
>> 3. Lotion
>> 4. Conditioner
>> 5. Toothbrushes
>> 6. Toothpaste
>> 7. Washcloths
>> 8. Mouthwash/non-alcoholic
>> 9. Socks
>> 10. Grooming items
>> 11. Sanitary items
>> 12. Any additional small item you feel a person living in the state of
>> homelessness can use
>>
>> If you and/or your organization are able to assist us in this effort, please
>> let me know by contacting me directly by either email at mcikeyc at aol.com or
>> via telephone at 301 583-8585 evenings or 202 720-1560 days by November
>> 14th. We will be compiling these items on the Saturday before
>> Thanksgiving. Your contribution will be tax deductable and help in the lives
>> of those who are in situations other than which we live.
>>
>> To find out more about what we do, please visit our National website at:
>> www.nfb.org or our State website at www.nfbmd.org. You may also "like" us as
>> the National Harbor Chapter on our new Face Book page.
>>
>> Sincerely Yours,
>>
>>
>> Michelle Clark
>> President
>> National Harbor Chapter
>> National Federation of the Blind of Maryland
>>
>> "Changing what it means to be blind in Prince Georges County!"
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>> Behalf of Catherine Michele Mitchell
>> Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2014 9:35 AM
>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>> Cc: Community Service Discussion List
>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
>> servicegroupseminar at national convention
>>
>> I also really like the idea of putting some kind of kits together as a
>> project at the convention.
>>
>> I would also like to ask those of you who do this already in your chapters
>> or affiliates to please email me lists of items you include in whatever kit
>> you are making. I want to add materials like this to our resource bank to
>> help other people do these kinds of projects.
>>
>> Thanks, everyone!
>>
>> Michele Mitchell
>> NFB Community Service Group
>> Research and Resource Committee Chair
>>
>> Tupperware Consultant
>> 781-790-3627
>> www.my.tupperware.com/michmitch
>>
>> On Feb 15, 2014, at 5:01 PM, Cheryl Fields <cherylelaine1957 at gmail.com>
>> wrote:
>>
>>> I love the idea of hygene kits for the homeless. Our chapter collected
>>> toiletries for a women's shelter last year, but we did not assemble
>>> the items. The shelter was glad to receive the gift but we could have
>>> saved them some time.
>>> I will suggest this when we do it again, sounds like fun!
>>>
>>> Providing a hands on opportunity for convention attendees is fantastic!
>>>
>>> Cheryl
>>>> On 2/15/14, Denise Shaible <denise.shaible at att.net> wrote:
>>>> I like the idea of emergency preparedness. I know the Red Cross has some
>>>> information on that and we all need to know about it. I also like the
>> idea
>>>>
>>>> of the Red Cross providing small first aid kits. I remember buying one
>> when
>>>>
>>>> I took my first aid class when I lived in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. I don't
>> know
>>>>
>>>> if they would provide them but, I'm wondering if we could assemble them
>> if
>>>> we know what we need to put in them and then we could give them to our
>>>> members or whoever we wish to give them to.
>>>>
>>>> I really like the idea of having someone speak about programs to feed the
>>>> hungry or doing a service project with a local food bank. I don't know
>> why
>>>>
>>>> we couldn't help put bags of food together. Yes, it's an assembly line
>> job
>>>>
>>>> but, we do it at my church and we're able to feed between 50 and 100
>> persons
>>>>
>>>> each month. It's rewarding to know we're doing anything to help and to
>>>> promote the fact that we want to give not just get.
>>>>
>>>> Regards,
>>>>
>>>> Denise
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Michelle Clark
>>>> Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 10:21 AM
>>>> To: 'Community Service Discussion List'
>>>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
>>>> servicegroupseminar at national convention
>>>>
>>>> Here in Maryland, my Chapter did reach out to the local agency and they
>>>> provided emergency kits several years ago. As time has elapsed and
>> budgets
>>>> have shrunk, I find that is not happening anymore. I am thinking someone
>>>> locally would have to initiate that? It would be important for us to get
>>>> the information and to tie it in with serving an external group to get
>> the
>>>> information as well.
>>>>
>>>> Michelle
>>>>
>>>> -----Original Message-----
>>>> From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>>> Behalf Of Cheryl Fields
>>>> Sent: Friday, February 14, 2014 11:53 AM
>>>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>>>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community service
>>>> groupseminar at national convention
>>>>
>>>> Hello,
>>>>
>>>> Having the Red Cross is a great idea. In addition to the first aid,
>>>> ask if they provide disaster preparedness. It would be good to have
>>>> this information available, most people are not prepared and if they
>>>> need to evacuate may not know what the designated safe places are. it
>>>> could be taken a step further and provide back packs with most items
>>>> inside, if the budget allows for this.
>>>>
>>>> Another idea is to plant a sensory garden at one of the convention
>>>> host hotels in Florida, since we are spending a few years there.
>>>> Plants and other materials can be donated from local garden centers.
>>>>
>>>> I happen to be working on a similar event in Cleveland and another
>>>> idea from 1 of our brainstorming sessions was a mural. Making it
>>>> visible to the community sending a clear positive message about the
>>>> blind. The Cleveland chapter has a on going project, we volunteer at
>>>> the Cleveland food Bank re packing produce for distribution and while
>>>> working with the food bank a community produce distribution can be
>>>> arranged. It is rewarding and can be lots of fun!
>>>>
>>>> Have a great weekend and Happy Valentine's Day!
>>>>
>>>> CherylOn 2/14/14, Denise Shaible <denise.shaible at att.net> wrote:
>>>>> Darian,
>>>>>
>>>>> We spoke sometime ago about having a Representative of the Red Cross
>> give
>>>> a
>>>>> presentation on first aid. Are you still interested in that? Please
>> let
>>>> me
>>>>> know and I'll start researching it. Also, if you know any details about
>>>> our
>>>>> seminar, please send that as well. Thanks.
>>>>>
>>>>> Regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Denise
>>>>>
>>>>> From: Darian Smith
>>>>> Sent: Thursday, February 13, 2014 10:26 AM
>>>>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>>>>> Subject: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community service
>>>>> groupseminar at national convention
>>>>>
>>>>> Hi all,
>>>>>
>>>>> I'm looking for some great ideas for our seminar at National
>> convention.
>>>>> any topics or presenters that could round out an already developing and
>>>>> exciting seminar. would be appreciated!
>>>>>
>>>>> regards,
>>>>>
>>>>> Darian
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>> Darian Smith
>>>>> Chairperson, Community Service Group -National Federation of The Blind.
>>>>> (415)215-9809
>>>>> dsmithnfb at gmail.com
>>>>>
>>>>> "
>>>>> "I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only
>>>> ones
>>>>> among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and
>>>> found
>>>>> how to serve"
>>>>> - Albert Schweitzer.
>>>>>
>>>>> Your unwanted vehicle can be just what the blind need to make
>>>>> possibilities reality.
>>>>> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
>>>>> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or call
>>>>> 1-855-659-9314
>> ----------------------------------------------------------------------------
>>>> ----
>>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>>> Community-service mailing list
>>>>> Community-service at nfbnet.org
>>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
>>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>>> Community-service:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/denise.shaibl
>>>> e%40att.net
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Community-service mailing list
>>>> Community-service at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> Community-service:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/mcikeyc%40aol
>>>> .com
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Community-service mailing list
>>>> Community-service at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> Community-service:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/denise.shaibl
>> e%40att.net
>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>> _______________________________________________
>>>> Community-service mailing list
>>>> Community-service at nfbnet.org
>>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
>>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>>>> Community-service:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/cherylelaine1
>> 957%40gmail.com
>>>
>>> _______________________________________________
>>> Community-service mailing list
>>> Community-service at nfbnet.org
>>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
>>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Community-service:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/michmitch66%4
>> 0gmail.com
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Community-service mailing list
>> Community-service at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for
>> Community-service:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/mcikeyc%40aol
>> .com
>>
>>
>> _______________________________________________
>> Community-service mailing list
>> Community-service at nfbnet.org
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
>> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Community-service:
>> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/scnickell1980%40gmail.com
>
> _______________________________________________
> Community-service mailing list
> Community-service at nfbnet.org
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/listinfo/community-service_nfbnet.org
> To unsubscribe, change your list options or get your account info for Community-service:
> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/dsmithnfb%40gmail.com
Darian Smith
Chairperson, Community Service Group -National Federation of The Blind.
(415)215-9809
dsmithnfb at gmail.com
“
"I don't know what your destiny will be, but one thing I know: the only ones among you who will be really happy are those who will have sought and found how to serve”
- Albert Schweitzer.
Your unwanted vehicle can be just what the blind need to make possibilities reality.
> Donate your car to the National Federation of the Blind today!
> For more information, please visit: www.carshelpingtheblind.org or call 1-855-659-9314
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://nfbnet.org/pipermail/community-service_nfbnet.org/attachments/20140216/7df8482d/attachment.html>
More information about the Community-Service
mailing list