[Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community servicegroupseminar at national convention
Catherine Michele Mitchell
michmitch66 at gmail.com
Tue Feb 18 22:27:55 UTC 2014
Michele Mitchell
Tupperware Consultant
781-790-3627
www.my.tupperware.com/michmitch
On Feb 18, 2014, at 2:27 PM, Serena Nickell <scnickell1980 at gmail.com> wrote:
> I'm going to try to make it to convention but I make no promises as of right now. I would love to share my experiences and post to the blog. Just let me know what I need to do
> Serena
>
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
>> On Feb 18, 2014, at 12:18 PM, Darian <dsmithnfb at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> At sounds wonderful!
>> Thank you so much for sharing.
>> Are you going to be at national convention?
>> We also have a blog. If you would be willing to share your experiences as a part of this organization, we would love to have you post to that law
>> Please be in contact if this interests you.
>>
>> This electronic message has been brought to you by my mobile device.
>>
>>> On Feb 18, 2014, at 9:04 AM, "Serenqa Nickell" <scnickell1980 at gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> Hi Darian
>>> The organization is called Let's Rock & Roll & Change the World. It can
>>> also be found on Facebook for those who are interested in liking the page.
>>> We are based in Wichita Kansas but the founders of the organization would
>>> like to branch out in to other towns and cities. Members of Let's Rock &
>>> Roll & Change the World do outreach every day but Sunday's are our biggest
>>> day. The organization is working on getting their nonprofit status right
>>> now. It's still pretty new.
>>> I got involved because my cousin Chris passed away in December of last year.
>>> He had substance abuse issues for years but apparently for the last year or
>>> two of his life he'd been homeless and many people, including members of his
>>> own family weren't aware of it. He passed away in an alley during the first
>>> cold snap we had. During this time people from this organization got to
>>> know Chris and they reached out to his family.
>>> While I live in Wichita I'm originally from a small town. Two of Chris'
>>> aunts along with several members of the community where I'm from began
>>> volunteering on Sundays. My mother and I followed suit.
>>> I worked as a receptionist for a Center for Independent living for several
>>> years and worked with all kinds of people including homeless people and
>>> since I didn't work directly with them it was easy to compartmentalize for
>>> me. It's a lot harder to think of a homeless person as a statistic
>>> especially if you know them and their story.
>>> I'm sorry about the long response. I guess I had a lot more emotions than I
>>> realized while writing this. (smile)
>>> Serena
>>>
>>>
>>> -----Original Message-----
>>> From: Community-service [mailto:community-service-bounces at nfbnet.org] On
>>> Behalf Of Darian
>>> Sent: Monday, February 17, 2014 2:16 PM
>>> To: Community Service Discussion List
>>> Cc: Community Service Discussion List
>>> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the community
>>> servicegroupseminar at national convention
>>>
>>> Hi Serena,
>>> It sounds really cool!
>>> Tell me all about it! What's the name of the organization? How did you get
>>> involved? Why did you get involved?
>>> Darian
>>>
>>> This electronic message has been brought to you by my mobile device.
>>>
>>>>> 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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>>>>> .shaibl
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>>>>>>>
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> http://nfbnet.org/mailman/options/community-service_nfbnet.org/michmitch66%40gmail.com Serena, thank you so much for sharing your very personal and emotional story. It was both touching and inspiring, and very eloquently written.
Hope you can make it to national convention!
Michele
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