Community Outreach
The Birmingham Branch of AAUW continues to be active in our community, collaborating with other non-profits who share our mission.
In June,
AAUW Birmingham Branch members volunteered at Forgotten Harvest, packing over 14,000 pounds of lentils which will feed 14,000 people. A rewarding time was had by all, and they recovered from their efforts with lunch at Oak Park Social
“Bound Together is incredibly grateful to our friends at AAUW who, throughout the year, have graciously donated to our annual Shopping Day, volunteered with our children, and have crowd-sourced a silent auction basket to support our after-school tutoring, nutrition and enrichment work for the Bound Together Benefit.” ~~~Thank you note from Bound Together
Entertainment was provided by Michele Wogaman, an incredibly talented Branch member!
A good time was had by all!
In addition to volunteering at local organizations throughout the year, the Birmingham Branch has selected several local charities to receive donations collected at the luncheons.
October: Big Family of Michigan
Big Family of Michigan is a non-profit organization hoping to make life better for children waiting to be adopted. Volunteers work with organizations to provide the love, care and items foster children need to become successful adults.
Bring sporting balls of all sorts – footballs, soccer balls, etc. and clothing for children and teens, boys and girls., including size 24 month jackets. They also need blankets and all kinds of toys and games children and teens would enjoy. Beginning in October, they wrap thousands of presents for Christmas. You may go online to Big Family of Michigan to get all the pertinent information.
November: Bound Together
Bound Together provides a caring nurturing community in the city of Pontiac, Michigan. It provides an afterschool program for students Tuesday-Thursday during the school year. The program consists of “downtime” between school and tutoring, 1:1 tutoring for students, and hot meal and bus service home.
Donation items should be holiday gifts for adults. Children go into the “Holiday store” and buy gifts for their parents and grandparents. Gifts can be new or gently used. If it is a gift that you would be delighted to receive, then it will be acceptable to these parents and grandparents. Ideas for women: bath items, manicure sets, hand lotion, scarves, gloves, umbrellas, jewelry, etc. For men, shaving items, after shave lotion, socks, map of Michigan, key rings, umbrellas, etc.
December: Haven of Oakland County
The Haven is a nationally recognized nonprofit leader that provides programs to promote violence-free homes and communities and provides help to victims of domestic violence Their mission is to eradicate sexual assault and intimate partner violence and heal those affected by its injustices.
They need food (canned goods, pasta, etc.), toiletries, baby items and household supplies.
January: Arc of Oakland County
The Arc of Oakland County advocates for the rights and full participation of all adults with intellectual and other related developmental disabilities. They need coloring books for children and adults, color pencils, crayons, drawing paper, hygiene products, “fidget items” like soft malleable items like soft balls, silly putty, stuffed animals or things like marbles, picture books.
February: A Courageous Voice
A Courageous Voice‘s mission is to protect, prevent and empower children from child abuse and exploitation using life saving child abuse prevention education in schools and other youth serving organizations in our community.
CV needs white boards, paint pens and markers, crayons (small packs or bulk), construction paper, scissors, glue sticks, paper towels, disinfectant wipes, and snacks or bottled water for youth participants during sessions. They also can use money to go towards to purchase their specific back packs with their logo on them for children.
March: Sanctum House
Sanctum House provides a safe house for survivors of human trafficking to heal and rebuilt their lives. It is a 24 month program of personal development for women over the age of 18.
Needed items include cleaning supplies, detergents, Windex, dusting products like Pledge, hand and dishwashing detergent, cleansers, brooms, mops, buckets, mops, etc. They also need personal hygiene products – deodorants, body wash, shampoo, conditioner, tampons, sanitary napkins, etc.
April: Hope Against Trafficking
Hope Against Trafficking provides safe housing and restorative support for adult women survivors of sex and labor trafficking in Southeastern Michigan.
Requested items include laundry detergent, paper towels and toilet paper, disinfectant wipes and sprays, trash bags (13 and 30 gallon), shampoo and conditioner, deodorant, body wash, sanitary napkins and tampons, new twin sheets and pillow cases, grocery gift cards, gas cards for resident transportation.