CommUNITY in Action grew from a simple belief: we are called to love our neighbors, and sometimes the best way to do that is to simply show up and help. We strive to bring people together to serve with purpose and respond to real needs in our community.
Thank you to all who supported our recent CommUNITY in Action project, Peace of Mind. Pastor Doug, Allison Dickie, and myself delivered the kits to Van Bokkelen Elementary on Monday, where they were received with overwhelming gratitude by Amy, Roberto, and Monet, three staff who coordinate the Community School initiatives at VBES. Amy emphasized that hygiene items are some of the most requested resources by Van Bokkelen families. When they’re avaiable at school outreach events, their stock is depleted almost immediately. You played a vital role in providing a community with something they needed most. Thank you.
In planning this project, we had three main goals:
- Pack 400 hygiene kits for students at Van Bokkelen Elementary, funding the majority of the project through donations from individuals and local businesses, and subsidizing costs with rollover funds from previous projects.
In reality, this project was entirely funded (and then some) by your individual donations, both financial gifts and in-kind contributions, exceeding our anticipated budget. With the extra funds, we purchased additional toothbrushes, toothpaste, body wipes, and deodorant to stock the health room at Van Bokkelen and for the school to distribute to students and families at upcoming events. - Recruit volunteers to spend two hours volunteering alongside one another to assemble the kits.We spread the word and invited everyone in the community to join us from 10 am to 12 pm to pack the kits. From toddlers to Scouts, young adults to empty nesters and beyond, an estimated 40 volunteers packed all 400 kits within 30 minutes.
- Inspire one another to practice faith and service in our daily lives. At CommUNITY in Action events, every participant is encouraged to consider how they can carry the idea forward in our own lives. Whether we pack a extra hygiene kit to keep in our car for someone in need, or assemble a birthday cake kit for the food pantry, these small acts of love matter. Have faith that each contribution, though it may seem small, will make a difference in someone’s life.
Thank you for being a CommUNITY in Action, creating opportunities for ALL people to discover that they can make a difference, and helping turn small acts of service into a lasting practice of loving our neighbors.
With gratitude,
Katie Foster
