On the morning of August 6, the AYLUS Morris Branch partnered with GRACE (Giving and Receiving Assistance for Our Community’s Essentials) to organize a community service project focused on supporting local families facing financial hardship. Recognizing the ongoing need for essential baby supplies and personal hygiene products, our members planned and promoted a donation drive throughout the community. Volunteers designed and shared announcements, encouraged neighbors and friends to participate, and reached out to community members to raise awareness about the importance of donating infant diapers and female hygiene products. Through these outreach efforts, the branch successfully collected a meaningful number of essential items for families in need.
After the collection period, members carefully sorted and organized all donated items to ensure they were clean, properly packaged, and ready for delivery. On the morning of August 6, the team transported the donations to GRACE, where they were warmly welcomed by the organization’s volunteers. Rather than simply dropping off the donations, our members stayed to volunteer alongside the GRACE team for approximately one hour. They helped sort, organize, and stock the donated supplies, making it easier for the organization to distribute them efficiently to local families. This hands-on service gave members a better understanding of how nonprofit organizations operate behind the scenes and how much preparation is required before donations can reach those who need them most.
This partnership strengthened the relationship between AYLUS Morris Branch and GRACE while creating a positive impact within the local community. Members learned the value of teamwork, communication, and community engagement throughout every stage of the project—from promoting the drive and collecting donations to organizing supplies and volunteering on-site. Most importantly, they experienced how small acts of service can come together to provide meaningful support for families with young children and individuals in need, reinforcing AYLUS’s mission of leadership through community service.
Volunteers:
3 hours: Kelly Nie, Shirley Nie
Advisors:
Xue Gu
Linna Wang