"Coming together is a beginning, staying together is progress, and working together is success." ~ Henry Ford
The collective power of association and connection within our League is something that was unequivocally tangible this past month beginning at our first GMM, which saw more than 20 Provisionals, 30 Members and our guest speaker Vicki Clark come together and discus the benefits of membership and how we can live out our mission through our projects and programs. The reflections were electric and were then shared with children and their parents in Manhasset and Port Jefferson at our 'Littlest Volunteer' programs and the grant opportunity that highlighted the importance and ability of giving back and doing something no matter how big or small one may be! The children's grant was then also extended to those who could not attend the two events and was opened up to the Long Island community via school districts, libraries, and local media. It has been amazing to see the entries come in and the thoughtfulness that the children have been putting into their entries and it demonstrates that it takes but a single idea and program to be shared for a collective and positive change to occur within our communities that brings us together.
This collaborative spirit continues this month as we prepare to host Sustainable Long Island at our October GMM so that we can further our knowledge of Environmental Health. We then are happy to be offering all our members the ability further their knowledge of this issue with a Done In a Day that will be done in conjunction with Sustainable Long Island as we assist them in their Farmer's Market, the only one on Long Island that accepts WIC checks and provides fresh food in New Cassel, where, according to census data, 16.5 percent of residents do not have access to cars, which means they often rely on convenience stores for groceries or public transportation to get to supermarkets as there are no supermarkets locally. The ability to access fresh and healthy food is something that each of us may take for granted, and we hope that this volunteer opportunity will serve as a meaningful and positive way to make an impact on our community as well as serve as an opportunity to learn about the diverse communities that we serve.
Finally we are thrilled to be able to be working with Long Island Head Start to provide them with a greatly needed playground for their Early Head Start program at the end of the month. Working together to provide these youngsters a safe place to play, grow and develop is something that is vital to them and allows each of our members to further their skills as we build the playground as well as work with the children and families through projects that day. It also serves as an opportunity for our members to discover something that they are really good at or potentially develop a new skill! As one of our signature programs, we look to further our mission through the effective action of our volunteers especially when it makes it possible to assist children in need here on Long Island.
On a final note, when it comes to volunteering, passion and positivity are the only requirements and I look forward to seeing each of you at one of the many opportunities that our committees have but together for you. Remember that volunteering connects you to others and is an important, life-altering commitment for not just yourself but the individuals and communities that you are helping.
Onward & Upward!
Georgia
