JLM Impact Day at World Vision!

With all of the sadness and mourning surrounding the recent Haiti earthquake, it is a reminder to us all how important it is to give back whether it be with our time, our money or preferrably both! Last weekend, I had an opportunity, through one of the Junior League's January Impact Days, to learn about an organization in SE Minneapolis (only 10 min. from my house) called World Vision (www.worldvision.org). In just a couple of hours 30 of us Leaguers were able to help in a meaningful way by providing hands on assistance sorting donated supplies, stocking shelves and breaking down boxes to make room for new donations. We were also given the opportunity to view a short, powerful video showing the amazing impact this organization has had all accross our great world! It was so fun to bond with girlfriends while giving back! One of the organization's founders asked Glynne Bassi (pictured in the dumpster above) and I to help with a slogan for World Vision to promote volunteerism in a different way. In contrast to the large groups of volunteers that World Vision routinely attracts, like the JLM, World Vision also hopes to attract pairs/smaller groups that would come in for a an hour or two to volunteer; the concept being that girlfriends or couples could gather to socialize and volunteer at the same time, an alternative to meeting at Caribou for coffee or going out to lunch. We suggested "Catching Up While Giving Back." With a possible tag line, "It only takes an hour..." Their initial reaction was very positive, so we'll see if our slogan pops up anywhere! I know I would definitely consider volunteering at World Vision again! The comments included above are my personal opinions and not an official statement of the Junior League of Minneapolis ;-)