Message from the President, December 2017

The holiday season is upon us, also known as “the season of giving.”  The Online Giving Study conducted by the Network for Good found that a third of all charitable donations in the U.S. happens in December, and a whopping 22 percent occurs on the final two days of the year.  As we enter this wonderful (and sometimes overwhelming) season, I wanted to highlight some opportunities for our members to give to others less fortunate.

“Real generosity toward the future
lies in giving all to the present.”
          -Albert Camus

“I have found that among its other benefits,
giving liberates the soul of the giver.”
          -Maya Angelou

Based on the responses to the survey the Community Involvement Committee sent to our membership a few months ago, the Committee has partnered with the Volunteer Center of Greensboro to provide us with two fantastic ways to help others:

Tiny Houses Greensboro has broken ground on North Carolina’s first tiny house community for the homeless!  Tiny Houses convenes a 15-member work crew every Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at 4120 Causey Street in Greensboro.  Much like Habitat for Humanity, prior construction experience is welcomed but not required.  Please visit www.volunteergso.org and sign up for a work day.

The GBA has a long history of partnering with Jones Elementary School to provide books for the students at the holidays and for the graduating fifth graders. Now we have an additional way to assist at Jones. BackPack Beginnings donates food to Jones to distribute to students’ families who are in need. Volunteers are needed the 2nd and 4th weeks of each month from 2:30 to 4:00 p.m. to distribute donated food to the classrooms. Please visit www.volunteergso.org and sign up for a shift. Additionally, volunteers may stuff bags and work in the food pantry at their convenience. Please contact Kimberly Simmons, Jones Elementary Social Worker, at 336.370.8230 if you would like to help.

Speaking of Jones Elementary, if you have not yet had a chance to make your donation for the annual book project, please consider mailing a check made payable to “GBA Foundation” (include “Jones Elementary” on the memo line) to Post Office Box 1825, Greensboro, NC 27402, or donating online via PayPal.  We hope you will also join the GBA’s “elves” and wrap some of the Jones books at our annual holiday party at Elon Law School on Wednesday, December 13th from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., and volunteer to distribute the wrapped books to the children on Tuesday, December 19th at 8:30 a.m.

Our Community Involvement Committee has also continued its relationship with Urban Ministries and continues to seek volunteers to serve food to the less fortunate at the Potter’s House.  The next opportunity is on Sunday, December 17th from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.  Please volunteer by Melissa Duncan at mduncan6@elon.edu. Please list Potter’s House in subject line.

I wish you all a safe, happy, and fulfilling season of giving.