Ward Service Project Opportunities

Below is a list of potential service opportunities that each ward may want to consider for the Ward Conference service projects. There may be some members that have limitations and could help with various types of projects. We have also included projects from JUSTSERVE.ORG website. Please work with your ward Just Serve specialists to assist with service projects. 

SUMMARY (DETAILS PROVIDED BELOW):

  • JustServe Group Projects, Kent, WA
    • Sewing Face Masks for Native Nations
    • Cookies baked with Love
    • Red Cross Returning Home Baskets Volunteers
    • Write Letters or make handmade items that will be sent to Deployed Troops and First Responders in Operation
    • Gratitude Care Packages
    • Bloodworks – Donate Blood
    • Kent Food Bank
    • Take Photos of Gravestones

RECENT REQUESTS FOR SUPPORTING REFUGEES IN THE KENT AREA:

Kent Stake Refugee Starter Kit project
We have been asked to create starter kits for new refugee families who are settling in the Kent area. There are kitchen kits, personal care kits, cleaning kits and bathroom kits. If your ward is interested in a project of donating items and then assembling kits, please contact Barb Radimak for the items lists for kits and ideas of how to organize it as a ward project. 253 508 9017

Ward Womens Clothing Donation opportunity
We have been asked by Vine Maple Place if we could donate women’s clothing that is suitable for workplace wearing. Slacks, blazers, sweaters, blouses, and dresses or skirts. Please be sure that they are in season. They do not have space to store summer things now, they need Fall/Winter items. Sizes small to size 2x are needed. Please make sure these are lightly used, clean and in good condition. Many of these women are training to take jobs in the workforce and need to look their best. Please do not just empty your closet, but think about if an item is really usable. Vine Maple Place has to send items that are not suitable to other clothing outlets. Contact Barb Radimak if your ward is interested in this as a service project. 253 508 9017

OTHER ORGANIZATIONS THAT YOU MAY WANT TO CONSIDER TO SERVE:

Kent Community Foundation

See Kent Community Partners tab
https://www.kentcommunityfoundation.org/kent-community-partners/

City of Covington: adopt a Street

Please contact city of Covington
Regan H. Bolli, City Manager, (253)-480-2400 ext 0, www.covingtonwa.gov

JUSTSERVE GROUP PROJECTS, KENT WA

Bake with us!
This bread giving project is suitable for bakers of all skill levels from from absolute beginners to experienced dough handlers. Armed with our bread formulas, our baking brigade volunteers bake and package honey oat sandwich loaves for donation. We even have roles for folks who would prefer not to bake. Join us for an upcoming Community Loaves virtual information session and help us expand our work of supplying local food pantries and their communities with nutritious, freshly baked bread.
https://communityloaves.org/support-our-work/

Sewing Face Masks for Native Nations
We have need for masks of every size. We ask that they be three ply or two ply with a pocket. We accept pleated or Olsen-style masks. Masks can have ties that are elastic ear loops, bias tape, t-shirt yarn, or behind the head elastic ties. Please see our guidance on prints to avoid when sewing masks for native people.
http://sewingfornativenations.org/how-can-i-help/cultural-awareness/“

Cookies baked with Love
Bake homemade cookies to share with our Recovery Cafe Members, and show that they are loved!

Please wrap or bag cookies individually (1-2 per bag).
https://recoverycafe.org/

Red Cross Returning Home Baskets Volunteers
The American Red Cross Service to the Armed Forces program provides “Returning Home Baskets” to veterans that are transitioning from homelessness. These baskets are provided to veterans that are part of a Transitional Housing Program within the WDVA facilities in Port Orchard, WA and Orting, WA. Each “Returning Home Basket” contains an average of 30 donated items much needed for those transitioning into their own space. These items include cleaning supplies, paper products, soap, clothing hangers and other miscellaneous items that can make a house feel like a home! Please contact Yaleidy Torres (yaleidy.torres@redcross.org, 253-290-1280) for additional information about this program.

Write Letters or make handmade items that will be sent to Deployed Troops and First Responders in Operation Gratitude Care Packages

Because our Deployed Troops and First Responders can’t stop, we won’t stop! Join us as we continue to give back and say “Thank You” to all who serve by volunteering virtually from home.

Our #VirtualVolunteerism campaign will allow every American the opportunity to support Deployed Troops, National Guardsmen, First Responders, and Emergency Medical Personnel on the frontlines of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We are writing letters, knitting, crocheting and sewing handmade items and making paracord bracelets. For more information, please visit the following link:
https://www.operationgratitude.com/express-your-thanks-virtual/

If you need Community Service Credits, please be sure to visit this link:
https://www.operationgratitude.com/express-your-thanks-virtual/community-service/.

This will give you a breakdown of what is accepted and how many hours will be given.

How This Helps Our Community
Our response to COVID-19 is a call to action for #VirtualVolunteerism, and we are providing 3 ways for you (and your family) to give back from your own home.

During this global pandemic, Operation Gratitude will continue to meet the ever-changing needs of our care package recipients. Join us to demonstrate that actions do speak louder than words and show our COVID-19 First Responders that as long as they continue to serve, we will continue to support them.

You can send your donation to:
Operation Gratitude
9409 Owensmouth Avenue
Chatsworth, CA 91311

Bloodworks – Donate Blood
To donate blood, visit the Bloodworks site and schedule an appointment. Many dates and locations are being offered. Just type in the zip code or city desired and search.
https://schedule.bloodworksnw.org/DonorPortal/Default.aspx

Kent Food Bank
Tuesday 9 am – 12 pm
Thursday 9 am – 12 pm

Packing bags, loading into DoorDash drivers cars, 1 position of checking names of home delivery pick ups. Do have a little flexibility with time if able to come in part or more afternoon availability.

Masks required, comfortable clothes, closed toed shoes, all current volunteer needs involve standing and lifting (can be as small as a can at a time)
Kent Food Bank 515 West Harrison Street Kent, WA 98032

Take Photos of Gravestones
All over the world, gravestones are deteriorating and erosion is erasing the precious details of our ancestors’ lives.

How can you help? Grab your smartphone, download the BillionGraves app from your app store, and head out to the cemetery.

Take photos of each gravestone row-by-row until you have finished an entire section or the entire cemetery. Hundreds of records can be preserved in a short visit!

As you take photos, each gravestone image is automatically tagged with GPS coordinates so they can be plotted on a map of the cemetery.

The records are then made available on the BillionGraves website to help others find their ancestors and grow their family tree.