In January 2026, the Aylus Morris Branch partnered with GRACE (Giving and Receiving Assistance for our Community’s Essentials), a nonprofit organization based in Summit, New Jersey, to organize a community donation drive focused on supporting families with young children and addressing food insecurity. This service initiative reflected the branch’s continued commitment to meeting essential community needs through thoughtful planning, collaboration, and hands-on service.
Branch members actively participated in organizing and promoting the drive, encouraging community members to contribute essential items. Through these collective efforts, the drive successfully gathered over 100 pieces of baby diapers along with 25 pounds of canned food. These items were carefully selected to address some of the most immediate and practical needs faced by families served by GRACE, particularly those with infants and limited access to basic necessities.
After the collection period, members worked together to sort, organize, and prepare all donated items for delivery. The process emphasized teamwork, responsibility, and attention to detail, ensuring that all donations were clean, properly packaged, and ready for distribution. This hands-on preparation allowed members to better understand the importance of treating donated goods with care and respect for the individuals and families who would receive them.
On the morning of January 15, 2026, members delivered the collected diapers and canned food directly to GRACE. The successful delivery marked the completion of the service project and highlighted the positive impact that youth-led community service can have when partnered with established nonprofit organizations. GRACE expressed appreciation for the donations, which will help support families in need throughout the local area.
This partnership not only provided meaningful assistance to the community but also reinforced the values of compassion, civic engagement, and service leadership among Aylus Morris Branch members. The event stands as a strong example of the branch’s dedication to making a tangible difference through organized and purposeful community service.
Volunteers:
2 hours: Xiang Li, Kelly Nie, Han Li, Shirley Nie, Kayden Chen, Ryan Chen
1 hour: William Liu
Advisors:
Xue Gu
Linna Wang