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

Darian Smith dsmithnfb at gmail.com
Thu Feb 20 20:24:25 UTC 2014 

and anyone else for that matter, it’s certainly discouraging that there aren’t that many experiences being shared.  I guess that just further supports the fact that this is needed.
 
On Feb 20, 2014, at 12:21 PM, Ashley Bramlett <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Hi,
> I second that. The blog could use more entries. Perhaps
> Serena could share more info there.
> -----Original Message----- From: Darian
> Sent: Tuesday, February 18, 2014 1:18 PM
> To: Community Service Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for the communityservicegroupseminar at national convention
> 
> 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
>>>>>> e%40att.net
>>>>>> 
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>>>>>> 
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>>>>> 
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