Giving in Action
Womanade
Womanade: Women Making A Difference
by Susan DuBois
I've always wanted to do more in my community - be a better citizen - but as a working mother with two small children, I couldn't find the time on a regular basis to commit to a particular cause or organization. A recent article in the Washington Post about "Womenade" - a simple, social grassroots fundraising idea - changed that.
The premise is that you invite friends over for brunch or a potluck supper, and ask them each to bring a covered dish and a check for $35.00. You can decide ahead of time where to donate the money, or ask for suggestions from your guests. One of my neighbors suggested donating to Doorways. After visiting the Doorways website, I was immediately impressed by the organization.
I forwarded the Post article with an invitation to forty women, planning for a date six weeks in advance. The day of the brunch, I shooed my husband and two kids out to a friend's house, made two pots of coffee, set out loaves of banana bread and waited for my guests. Over twenty women showed up and enjoyed terrific conversation, food and camaraderie. I spoke for about five minutes about Doorways and another nonprofit organization, and answered questions. I also provided information about each organization.
My first fundraiser was a spectacular grassroots success - $800 was raised in a few short hours! I asked Doorways what they would like to do with the money. New sheets for client beds were needed, and I was able to find them on sale. With $400, I was able to buy 24 sets of new sheets. My friends really appreciated the tangible nature of this project. I enjoyed how simple it was to organize, and what a great way it was to connect with friends in a meaningful way.
Donate Used Cellphones
Used Cell Phones - CACI Making a Difference
In February, employees at CACI International Inc., an information technology company headquartered in Arlington, kicked-off a month-long cell phone collection. Coordinated by CACI Cares, a community service initiative, over 150 phones were collected from CACI locations throughout the region, and then donated to Doorways and the Virginia Commonwealth Attorney's Office. Any phones not used by clients are sent to a nonprofit partner, who gives Doorways a cash donation, which goes directly to support Doorways' programs. Last year, Doorways raised nearly $3,000 from used cell phones.
The Welcome Gift Pillowcase Project by Joy Smallwood
When looking for a service project in the Arlington/Alexandria area, I quickly learned about Doorways and the growing needs of the children in their shelters. With some guidance from Doorways' staff, I coordinated a project where a welcome gift would be created for every child coming into shelter.
I brought together people from work, my alumni group, my friend's daughter's Girl Scout troop, even a group of friends from Arizona. A party was organized for each group where food and beverages were served, and cash and items for the welcome gifts were collected and/or assembled.
Welcome gifts were packaged in a bright, cheerful, children's pillowcase and included a book, a soft toy, a coloring book and crayons, candy, fun soap, shampoo and a child's toothbrush and toothpaste.
As we assembled the gifts, we spoke of our appreciation for all that we had in our lives, and how pleased we were to be helping out children who have so little. I hope that these gifts will give each child a sense of home, caring, ownership, community and fun -- all of which are so important in a child's life.
In total, 85 bags were created, enough for every child who comes to Doorways in one year. Everyone who participated was thrilled to be part of the project and is eager to be involved in another project for Doorways, which I plan to coordinate with Doorways later this year.