Kids being served by Youth Villages' residential and community based programs in Memphis, Tenn., had the opportunity to do something different on October 5, 2007, during the first ever Youth Villages Impact Day. In partnership with Volunteer Memphis, Youth Villages offered the opportunity for kids to volunteer alongside corporate volunteers at other nonprofits in the community.
"Impact Day is a way to expose the kids we serve to some real needs in our community and help them personally experience the power of helping others," said the community relations manager for Youth Villages.
Among the activities the kids participated in were washing and playing with dogs at the Memphis and Shelby County Humane Society and Sunny Meadows Safe Haven for Pets, sorting food at The Food Bank, playing bingo and crafts projects with elderly residents at Mid South Health and Rehabilitation and helping with clean up and yard work projects at MIFA's Parrish Care Home, Memphis City Beautiful and the Children's Museum of Memphis.
"We were proud to see the enthusiasm our kids had during their volunteer projects. The adult volunteers also made an impact on our kids by setting an example and showing why they choose to give time to their community on a regular basis."
Companies that provided adult volunteers and support included sponsors Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance and American Eagle Outfitters as well as BancorpSouth, Jackson Hewitt Tax Service, Old Navy, Gap and Cornerstone Systems. Other sponsors included Costco and Starbucks Coffee Company, who provided food and coffee for the day's activities.
For information about how your company can get involved through community service projects at Youth Villages or with our kids at other organizations, contact Britni Ackermann at britni.ackermann@youthvillages.org.
Pictured above: Volunteers from Jackson Hewitt Tax Service volunteered with kids from Dogwood Village at The Food Bank.