February Service Project Update: Cell Phones for Safe Alliance

Delivering donated cell phones to Safe Alliance

In February we did two service projects, the first was Sentiments 4 Seniors in which handmade Valentine cards were given to residents at two local nursing homes.  The second project was collecting used cell phones to donate to Safe Alliance. Safe Alliance assists over 20,000 people annually throughout Cabarrus County, Charlotte, Lake Norman and Union County. Safe Alliance provides hope and healing for people in crisis.  They have multiple programs and services so of which include:

• 24 hour sexual assault/rape and domestic violence crisis lines.
• Safety planning for survivors of domestic violence, sexual violence and child abuse.
• Shelter for survivors of domestic violence.
• Hospital accompaniment for survivors of sexual assault/rape (24/7).
• Trauma informed counseling for adults or children who have witnessed or experienced physical or sexual abuse or other traumatic situations.
• Adult support groups for survivors of sexual assault/rape and domestic violence.
• Teen support groups for survivors of sexual assault/rape.
• Post-traumatic stress debriefings for groups affected by violence.
• Cell phones that are collected are refurbished by a third party organization that makes a donation to Safe Alliance based on the number and type of phones collected. 

The cell phones that are donated are refurbished by a third party organization that makes a donation to Safe Alliance based on the number and type of phones collected.

March Monthly Service Project Part 1: Community Birthday Celebration

My birthday request was by asking people to volunteer for four hours during the month of March.  So how do you think I spent my birthday....yep, by volunteering. Every year I take off of work for my birthday to spend the day celebrating myself.  This year I spent the day having a spanish lesson, parent/teacher conference, massage & facial and then I threw a party.  Not just any party, but a party for the children that attend an after school program where I have volunteered a few times this year. What is a party without favor bags?!?!?  So I reached out to friends and family asking for donations to go in the swag bags and boy did they come through!!  A big thank you to the following people that donated items for the 36 swag bags and prizes that were given to each child:

- Donyell Aycock
- Alfreda Belton & Microsoft
- Lara Harris & Project L.I.F.T.
- Kevin Henry & Snyder's-Lance
- Warren Hollier
- Denada Jackson & Project L.I.F.T.
- Arden McLaughlin & Charlotte Public Library Foundation
- Cynthia Parker-Ham
- Beverly Spainhour
- Nancy Stroud
- Liz Thomas-Hollier
- Jada Wellman & WBTV

Everyday when they arrive at after school they have two writing assignments; one is a cursive writing exercise and the other a journal topic.  The executive director let me choose both items for the day and I chose the following:
Cursive Writing Exercise: 'I am unique because......'
Journal topic: 'Describe what you can do to help your community. Be specific!'

It was definitely a busy but very FOURfilling day.  Happy Birthday to me!! Who else is going to help me celebrate this month?!?!?