Organize a Collection Drive (10 hours)
Local Service, Global Impact
SKILLS DEVELOPED
Collaboration, Communication, Critical thinking, Initiative, Leadership, Social skills
SUMMARY
Reflection
Throughout this project I've learned and experienced a lot. I was able to take on a leadership role and lead this project from start to finish. Throughout the research phase I was able to learn of so many different organizations making great impacts. When I found Wayside Cross Ministries, I was excited to learn more about what their mission was. Their organization helps provide shelter and restoration for many different people. It allows them to have a fresh start. I got in contact with a man named Harry who is a coordinator at the shelter and was able to get information regarding my drive. I wanted a drive that was safe and contactless regarding the current pandemic. Contactless pick up of donations from my neighbors and family seemed like the best idea that also made it easier on them. I got to work making a timeline of events and passed out flyers with information to all of my neighbors and contacted my family and friends. A week later was collection day and I easily picked up, sorted, and dropped off all donations. I was actually very surprised how smooth and easy the whole process was. I was also amazed how many donations I was able to collect. My neighbors and family were very generous and it warmed my heart knowing that my efforts payed off. I was able to organize a drive that would help so many people in need. I am so grateful for this experience and don't think I will ever forget it. I had such a great time planning, researching, and collecting donations and learned so much about leadership and service. And I am so excited for all of the lives it will positively impact.
Project Impact
At the end of this project, I ended up collecting over 8 large trash bags full of clothing, coats, and winter accessories.
PROJECTS TASKS
Research for Collection Drive
1.00 hour leading a collection drive | Compassion
I am interested in doing a winter clothing collection drive and donating the items to a non profit. Through the innerview "project" section, I am able to record the step by step process of doing this drive. First, I started research to compile a list of possible non profit organizations and their contact information, that would be able to accept the donations.
Nonprofit Outreach for donation drive
1.00 hour leading a collection drive | Compassion
Using InnerViews "project" section, I am taking steps towards leading a collection drive for a non profit organization. I took some time to look into the few organizations I was interested in and chose one that I felt more passionate about. Today, I reached out to my top choice, Connections for Abused Women and their Children located in Chicago. This organizations mission is to end domestic violence and shelters adults and children and helps them get ready for a better life. They are in need of winter coats and winter gear, and I emailed them asking for further information, per InnerViews instructions for part 2 of the collection drive project.
Planning & Preparation for collection drive
1.00 hour leading a collection drive | Compassion
In this part of the collection drive, I came up with a rough plan/timeline. I decided to have flyers made and passed out by this coming weekend, and give everyone two weeks to collect their donations. Due to safety concerns, I wanted to do a contactless pick up that would be safe for everyone. I will send out flyers to my neighbors with the information, and on the specified day will pick them up from their front porches in a specific time frame. From there, the organization is willing to pick up or I can drop off. I also ran into a slight bump in the road. The organization I was going to donate to only accepted new clothes. I figured I would be able to get more donations if I could open it up to new OR gently used clothes and found a new organization. Way Side Cross Ministries in Aurora will give these clothes to homeless people in their shelters. I contacted them today asking some questions for more clarifications on donations. I will still continue on with the coat/winter gear collection and the same plan with this new organization.
Promote the Collection Drive
2.00 hours leading a collection drive | Compassion
For this part of my collection drive, I started by doing final edits and printing out my flyers. I went around my neighborhood and put these into the mailboxes of my neighbors. I also texted my family and some of my friends to see if they would be interested in donating. I decided to move the collection drive up by one week so no one forgot about it and many people would likely be more busy closer to the holiday.
Collection Drive
4.00 hours leading a collection drive | Compassion
This Saturday was collection drive day. I went around the neighborhood to pick ups bags left on porches and family members and friends dropped off many bags of donations. I got lots of hats, gloves, scarves, coats, and sweaters. In total I got over 20 garbage bags full of donations. They were all consolidated into larger bags donated from my moms work. I had so many donations I couldn't take pictures of all of the items I got! I went through the donations to make sure they were all in good condition, and sorted them into bags.
Deliver Donations
2.00 hours leading a collection drive | Compassion
I gathered all of my donations, over 6 very large bags worth, and hauled them into my car. Wayside Cross Ministries is located in Aurora. I transported the donations there and was able to easily find the drop off destination. Once we were there, a nice volunteer came out and helped us load all of the bags inside. The process was very easy and they were super grateful. This final step in the donation drive process made me feel very good. I was able to see how just one person could organize a drive to make many people come together and make a difference. I got so many donations and was really happy to see it be donated somewhere in need. I know it will help so many different people.