For our first project, we decided to donate to a local shelter, and hopefully do other projects with them in the future.
First, we had to find a shelter to see if they met out criteria. We wanted to focus on helping kids, since that is the overall mission of Unum Mundum. We also wanted to make sure that we could do other activities in the future, such as our field trips, which you find out more about here. We spent almost an entire meeting going through lists of local shelters, until we found a good one. A couple of us had actually been there before, as part of an orchestra performing holiday music for the kids there.
After we chose our shelter to help, Jewel began emailing with the volunteering director at the place. We asked about how we could specifically help the kids. She told us about different volunteer opportunities and gave us a list of items that they needed. We also looked at the wish list on their website, and chose some items that we knew would benefit the kids specifically, such as coloring books. In addition, we signed up for a few dates of volunteering.
Next, we did our research on the donations so we knew what store was best and where to find everything. Then it was time for us to go out and buy everything. We bought all the things they needed for their project, such as tissue paper, balloons, and poster boards. We also found some coloring books, which is on the overall wish list. Once we got all the items, we packed them and put our logo on them.
The next day, we went to deliver the donations. We had a conversation with the volunteer coordinator, who we had been emailing with. She told us that the supplies we had bought were for a science fair. We asked her to send us pictures of the projects when they were done. We also brought up our field trip project to see if they were interested. She was very glad to hear about our project, and said we could contact her about it.
Delivering our donation items and talking with the coordinator.
After delivering the items, we sent a follow up email. She told us we should contact the children’s coordinator at the shelter. Once we hear back with more details of how they want to do it, we will move forward on the field trip project. For now, we are pretty happy with where our organization is at. I will continue posting updates as we do more activities.