I really appreciate a good alliteration in a title. You know what else I appreciate? Being part of a team at the Academy that takes time to give back to our communities – across the world.
In recent months, our own Tech Support Manager, Donna Hooper, from Birmingham, Alabama, started what she titled “Project Cover Me” – an effort that started as a blanket collection for the homeless and then transformed into a day-long event to serve and provide for the underprivileged in her community.
Donna started the project by reaching out to her fellow Academy team Members as well as the people of her local community. She challenged those of us in the Academy offices to collect as many blankets as we could and donate them to our local shelters in San Diego. We accepted Donna’s challenge and collected blankets for several weeks, then delivered them to a shelter in need in San Diego County.
After spreading the word to her community and to her fellow Academy team Members, Donna enlisted the help of a local youth group to help her with what was quickly becoming a much larger project than she had originally anticipated! With the help of the youth group and others in her community, Donna was able to collect over 100 blankets to donate to the homeless. Then she took the project the extra mile. Donna found someone to volunteer to wash all of the blankets donated, bundle them up, and tie them with rope. She also contacted Panera Bread Company, who donated chili in bread bowls to be distributed along with the blankets.
On December 7, Donna, the Members of the youth group, and others in her community went to a local shelter where they passed out blankets to all who came, served chili in bread bowls, and enjoyed conversation with all in attendance. The start of a new year is a time of reflection for all of us. As you get back to work and commence your usual routine, perhaps take a moment to consider how you could give back in your community, as well.
We’d love to hear what ideas you have! Let us know in the comments below!
Kathryn Adams
Marketing Manager
American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.
9444 Balboa Avenue, Suite 300
San Diego, California 92123
Phone: (800) 846-1555
www.aaepa.com
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