Every year, Giving Tuesday is celebrated on the first Tuesday after Thanksgiving and jumpstarts fundraising, volunteering, and spreading love and support throughout communities all over the world. The Berrien Community Foundation knows this day well, as every day is a Giving day for this organization. On November 30th, they welcomed volunteers picking up supplies for the Senior Care Kit project of 2021, funded partially by the generosity of those that donate to their Senior Empowerment Endowment Fund. They have partnered with local companies and organizations to assemble Senior Care Kits to be delivered in our area for many years, and this year almost 800 care kits were created!
Honor Credit Union, Whirlpool Corporation, and the Spectrum Health Lakeland Foundation donated supplies and funds in partnership with the BCF to create the perfect basic care item package. Volunteers built the boxes at home, wrapped them, and returned them on Monday December 6th, in order for the Area Agency on Aging and Meals On Wheels to deliver them before Christmas. Included in the kits were items like toiletries, first aid supplies, candies, and puzzles, offering a smile along with necessities.
Families and workplace groups were among those assembling the care kits, along with Girl Scout Troops and the Readiness Center City Kids. This incredibly successful event is not only rewarding for the volunteers, it can make the holidays so much brighter for those who receive the care kits. Thank you, Berrien Community Foundation!
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM contributor
