Active 20-30 of Sebastopol #63of wins Nonprofit Leadership Award

Active 20-30 of Sebastopol #63

Active 20-30 of Sebastopol #63

AWARD CATEGORY : ORGANIZATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

P.O. Box 927 Sebastopol 95473

707-348-2030

www.sebastopol2030.com

Tell us a little bit about your organization.

We are a small branch of a greater organization, Active 20-30 United States & Canada. We are young professional men and women ages 20-39 who want to not only develop our leadership skills but also volunteer while serving underprivileged children in West Sonoma County. We hold a few larger fundraisers each year including Taste, a Fireworks Booth and Burning Ham as well as monthly Trivia. All proceeds go towards paying for such events as the Annual Children's Shopping Spree and Kid's Christmas. We also are able to donate to other organizations in our community that focus on children as well like Billy's Fighters, Shoes 4 Kidz and Alex's Lemonade Stand.

Tell us about its volunteer activities.

Our biggest volunteer activity that we participate in is the annual Children's Shopping Spree. The 2nd Saturday in August we take children back to school shopping at the Kohl's in Petaluma. We pair a child up with a volunteer “shopper” to help them pick out clothes for the new school year. Each child is given a $160 gift card for clothes. We also provide breakfast, dental screening, haircuts and backpacks full of age appropriate school supplies. On the Sunday before Christmas we do our “Kid's Christmas” project. We take the Kohl's cash earned from the Shopping Spree to buy clothes and toys to be used as Christmas presents. Presents are wrapped and delivered by “Santa” and we treat the families to a turkey dinner with all of the fixings.

What draws the organization to volunteering?

Several of our members belong to other volunteer organizations in addition to being a part of 20-30 so I think that volunteering is something that comes from the heart. I believe that a need was recognized to serve the children in Sebastopol and other West County communities and our members have come together (some from other 20-30 clubs) in order to recharter the Sebastopol Club and help those children.

What achievement is your organization most proud of?

2015 was a fantastic year for us! Not only did we have record breaking attendance at our biggest fundraiser, Taste, but we made money selling fireworks for 4th of July and made a great profit off of the inaugural Burning Ham which was a BBQ competition held at Penngrove Park in October of 2015. We also received a grant and recognition from the Russian River Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence for our volunteer work. All money made went towards taking 50 kids back to school shopping, providing presents and dinner for approximately 20 children and their families as well as monetary donations made to those we found to have a need.

What is your biggest challenge today?

We are a very small organization; we have a difficult time recruiting and retaining members.

What is the next major project either under way or on the horizon?

We are currently in the planning stages for our next Project, “Kid's Christmas”. The last two years we have had families identified that could use a little extra cheer. We have delivered presents for the children as well as dinner for the entire family. We are also planning our biggest fundraiser, “Taste”. This will be our 4th annual Taste, held at Sova Gardens in Sebastopol. Local wine, beer, and food vendors provide “tastings” to guests while listening to some great music. We also have a Silent Auction and Instant Wine Cellar Raffle.

How do you believe volunteering will change in the next five years?

Hopefully in the next five years we will see an increase in volunteering, especially on the local level, because as the economy is improving it is easier for people to become focused on the well being of those around them instead of themselves, which is what many people do in times of struggle. We would love to focus on getting our demographic more involved in the community in which they live.

Is there anything you would like to add?

Member Extraordinare, Alli Britton is highly admired by our club members. Alli jumped into 20-30 head first. From day one she was involved, participatory and active. She stepped up to volunteer for all of our activities, spoke (very eloquently) on behalf of our club on a number of occasions, applied her educational experience with our club and has worked with the National Board as well. She is from West Sonoma County and her heart and soul is there. She wants to improve the experiences of the children in the community in which she grew up in.

Active 20-30 of Sebastopol #63

Active 20-30 of Sebastopol #63

AWARD CATEGORY : ORGANIZATIONAL CONTRIBUTIONS

P.O. Box 927 Sebastopol 95473

707-348-2030

www.sebastopol2030.com

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