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

Catherine Michele Mitchell michmitch66 at gmail.com
Mon Feb 17 18:49:50 UTC 2014


Good idea about the flashlights. Thanks for your input Serena!

Michele Mitchell
Tupperware Consultant
781-790-3627
www.my.tupperware.com/michmitch

On Feb 16, 2014, at 11:18 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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