[Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community servicegroupseminar at national convention

Michelle Clark mcikeyc at aol.com
Sun Feb 16 17:40:45 UTC 2014


I will be there

 

From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
Behalf Of Darian Smith
Sent: Sunday, February 16, 2014 11:38 AM
To: Community Service Discussion List
Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
servicegroupseminar at national convention

 

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

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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
<http://www.carshelpingtheblind.org/>  or call 1-855-659-9314

 

 

 

 

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