[Community-service] Seeking ideas for thecommunityservicegroupseminar at national convention

Catherine Michele Mitchell michmitch66 at gmail.com
Fri Feb 21 06:56:04 UTC 2014


Ashley,

I think a blog entry going over all the agencies you tried and the individual reasons you were turned away, followed by finally getting a position with the agency you presently work at would be Very motivational. You may not realize that what you have here is a success story. You overcame objections, discouragement, and negative experiences; you didn't give up though, and now you're doing what you set out to do. Fantastic!

Three cheers for you from,
Michele

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

On Feb 20, 2014, at 10:24 PM, "Ashley Bramlett" <bookwormahb at earthlink.net> wrote:

> Darian,
> I could write a brief blog. I did a few things with campus ministry at college so maybe I could contribute. I
> just did not as my experience was only a short day thing and I really don't have much to write. As I said, I've tried to volunteer in community agencies and have been turned away for  various reasons. so, i don't have too much to share to lift others up and encourage community service; I do hope this changes for me as I have finally found a nonprofit to answer phones for and give out information about services; my title is information and referral specialist, but really what I do is answer phones and answer questions; the title just sounds big.
> 
> Ashley
> -----Original Message----- From: Darian Smith
> Sent: Thursday, February 20, 2014 3:24 PM
> To: Community Service Discussion List
> Subject: Re: [Community-service] Seeking ideas for thecommunityservicegroupseminar at national convention
> 
> 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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>>>>>> 
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