United Way Volunteers Pack 800 Hygiene Kits
On a cold Saturday in December we were amazed at all the warmth and purpose that filled the air as volunteers gathered for our first ever Coffee Hour for a Cause. Kids, adults, families, and community members of all ages came together to pack more than 800 hygiene kits for neighbors facing difficult situations.
The event was held at Ship to Shore (a new small business offering records, books, and excellent coffee) located at 201 W 10th Street in Lorain. The owners of Ship to Shore graciously shared their space with us, and each volunteer was able to chose a coffee drink and a bagel when they arrived. After breakfast and a few laughs, the volunteers formed assembly lines and worked side by side with a shared sense of purpose as they put together each bag. The essential items included in each hygiene kit (comb, soap, shampoo, toothbrush, toothpaste) were generously provided by UPS and the Women's Fund, with each kit being thoughtfully assembled to also provide dignity and care as volunteers set to work on handwritten notes of encouragement for those who need it most.
Now that the hygiene kits are assembled, they'll soon be distributed throughout Greater Lorain County to individuals experiencing homelessness, re-entry after incarceration, addiction recovery, domestic violence shelters, and to free hygiene pantries that serve those who cannot regularly afford personal care products.
"These kits may seem simple, but they mean so much," said Kelsey Jones, our Donor & Volunteer Engagement Manager here at Untied Way. "They remind people that their community sees them and cares about them."
Through Small Business United, we hope to continue building more partnerships that bring people together in local spaces to support small business while participating in meaningful volunteer opportunities that make a real difference in our community.