Community Service
Various organizations and communities are challenged on a daily basis - trying to obtain the resources they need to help people and further their cause. As we know, the unfortunate are also challenged - they often lead a life that not many can relate to and it is a challenge for them to receive the emotional, physical and financial help they need to get through the day.
To help those in need tackle their every day challenges, the Association of Legal Administrators (ALA) created its Community Challenge Weekend (CCW) program in 1999 where it encourages ALA chapters, its members, firms, vendors, relatives and friends to come together to contribute time, energy and resources toward improving their own communities.
Back in the summer of 2011, ALA National announced that the structure of the Community Challenge Weekend program would be different this year ... better, in fact. In years past, this program was specifically designated to a weekend in October. While this generally is a very popular time of year for “giving back,” ALA recognized that many Chapters get involved in community events throughout the year. The First State Chapter is happy to share our stories of “giving back” that began in July!
As a direct result of our community efforts last year with the Operation Warm Coat Drive, members of the First State Chapter were introduced to The West Center City Early Learning Center (WCCELC). Having been so moved by the children who are enrolled in that school, the Chapter decided a Children’s Book Drive would be a new and different idea to support our community. At the ALA Summer Social in July 2011, we launched this very hope-filled effort! Having no clue what to anticipate in the way of book collections, we established a goal of 200-300 books. Once again, many Chapter firms volunteered to participate in what would turn out to become a phenomenally successful book drive. After weeks of collecting, sorting and counting (thank you for your assistance with that, Susan Holton), our total book count was 2,112 books!!! Due to the volume, and limited space available at WCCELC, we were also able to share a large number of books with more than five local organizations!
Because WCCELC was our primary recipient, on the scheduled date of delivery of the books in early September, several members volunteered to bring yummy snacks and read stories to the various classrooms filled with eager little children. We spent the morning reading several books including classic favorites “Go, Dog. Go!” and “Green Eggs and Ham!” to children ages 1-5, whose faces lit up with smiles. A special thank you to Joann Winterle, Todd Grube, Cathy James and Kellie Snyder for sharing their time, making memories for these children. Also, a special thank you to Parcels, Inc. for their donation of time picking up boxes (of about 700 books) and delivering to WCCELC!
In the next few weeks following the book drive, it was already time to wrap ourselves in the giving spirit of the holidays and kick-off our annual canned food drive and other efforts to give back. A total of 18 local firms participated in filling large boxes donated by Blue Marble, to be delivered to Emmanuel Dining Room (EDR) on November 2, 2011. On that day, Blue Marble generously donated time and effort to collect a total of 57 boxes of food! Each year, EDR utilizes the canned food drive donations to create Thanksgiving Dinner Baskets for the less fortunate. In part, several Chapter members volunteer to assist with the sign-ups for the Thanksgiving baskets/Adopt-a-Child programs. Because of the economic difficulties that are still very present, EDR had to enforce more strict rules for eligibility in receiving either of these benefits. There were moments of difficulty having to turn away someone without the appropriate information, but we were very encouraging of them to return at a later shift, with documentation, to ensure they received the benefits. This year, EDR confirmed they prepared approximately 600 baskets to be distributed on Thanksgiving, and expressed gratitude to the First State Chapter for making these baskets possible. In addition, between the three EDR dining rooms, over 1200 children were signed up for the Adopt-a-Child program. A special thank you to Jean Chaney, Susan Holton, Kellie Snyder, Tom Herweg, Sherry Perna, Carol Travia, Amy Kiefer, Elisa Williams and Nancy Young for your time in assisting with the four shifts.
Finally, in the midst of the above, the First State Chapter was thrilled to host the Children’s Halloween Party at Emmanuel Dining Room on October 28! With the very generous support of Digital Legal Services and Millicare by EBS Carpet Services once again, we were able to fill an evening with goodies, crafts and fun for approximately 40 local, less fortunate children and their families. After enjoying a hot dog, chips/pretzels and some creepy Halloween punch, the children made their way to the “tables of fun” that were overseen by our very helpful volunteers. At the “create your own Halloween bead jewelry” table, members Susan Holton and Amy Kiefer, and Jeremy Luzader (of DLS) “helped” the children create their own unique pieces of festive jewelry. One table over, Elisa Williams mingled with the children as they colored their hearts out with many cheerful Halloween characters to choose from. Linda Lucas (a non-member volunteer) assumed her duties as “Kitchen Witch” preparing yummy snacks and goodies for all to enjoy, while Kellie Snyder snuck around capturing special moments on camera.
The First State Chapter of ALA is embracing a new, heart-warming venture in 2012. In addition to our existing annual community events, we would like to expand our community involvement with a summer-time pet drive! We called it "Dog Days of Summer" (although it certainly is NOT limited to just dogs).
Faithful Friends Animal Society is a local no-kill shelter that is in great need of a variety of items to assist in providing a safe, warm environment for these homeless pets until they are adopted into a new home.
The official kick-off was Tuesday, May 29 and donations will be accepted through June 29. We are excited that our Business Partners will be collaborating in this effort. Our June 13 Business Partner Event was the mid-point for sending collected donations to Faithful Friends!
Once again, we were reminded early in the season just why we continue to participate in these projects and programs. The First State Chapter is filled with generous, caring members who value the gift of giving! We will continue to search for new, inventive ways to support our local community and certainly welcome any suggestions and ideas from all Chapter members. Thank you again to all who participated in any way, large or small, and we are hopeful that volunteering will become contagious throughout the entire Chapter!
