Little Wings Gives: School Supplies
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In March of 2012 we hosted the 4th annual Little Wings Gives event. We collected school supplies for refugees being served by the International Rescue Committee. Nearly 100 people attended, donating supplies, and helping to sort and package what we collected. We gathered more than 3500 pens and pencils, 1600 markers, 1000 crayons, 250 notepads, 100 calculators, 50 backpacks, and 60 rulers. In addition we had boxes full of folders, pencil sharpeners, highlighters, glue sticks, and staples by the end of the day. All of these supplies were handed over to the IRC, who gave them to refugees who are living in the US. The refugees are people who have fled their countries to avoid persecution and abuse. Many of them arrive here unable to speak English. The school supplies mean they will have the materials they need to attend school and English language classes. The children who came made colorful pictures that were given out to the families being served by the IRC as well. Meeting a young African man who has been a part of the IRC's programs for many years was a highlight of the day. The current college student made it very clear that he would not be where he is today without the help of the IRC.
Who we helped?
The International Rescue Committee responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to refugees forced to flee from war or disaster.
At work today in over 40 countries and in 22 U.S. cities, the IRC restores safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.
When an emergency arises, the IRC arrives on the scene within 72 hours with urgently needed supplies and expertise that protect people caught in the midst of chaos. We commit to stay as long as we are needed, helping survivors to heal, recover and rebuild their communities to be stronger, more stable and more democratic. In the United States, the IRC has helped hundreds of thousands of refugees thrive in the country that gave them sanctuary and a new beginning.
Little Wings Gives: Hurricane Sandy Relief
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In November of 2012 Little Wings helped to facilitate a food and clothing drive for those affected by Hurricane Sandy. We joined forces with WCBS reporter Lisa Kerney and collected goods from the Greenwich community. With a truck full of 50 plus bags of blankets, jackets, clothes, shoes, paper towels, and diapers we headed to the area affected. We made our way Staten Island and Queens and saw firsthand the mayhem left behind by Hurricane Sandy. We delivered fresh baked cookies and bottles of water to those working in Staten Island. We then went to Queens where able to connect with Linda Munro, principal at MS 318 Waterside School for Leadership Families. I have seen a lot of people getting things done over the years but few are as passionate and efficient as Linda. We were truly inspired by her and her staff. The day after our visit Linda and her staff gave out the goods we delivered to the hundreds of families living in Waterside who still had no power 1 week after the storm. MS 318 was flooded so we dropped our supplies at August Martin High School in Jamaica, Queens were the students were temporarily located for weeks. Linda assured us that being handed a warm coat, blanket, and some Halloween candy made the transition to a new school a little easier.
Who we helped?
The Waterside School For Leadership, along with its parents and community members, is a 6th-8th grade middle school dedicated to serving the diverse scholars of New York City by creating a collaborative and supportive educational environment. Their primary purpose is to educate ALL scholars to the highest levels of academic achievement by providing an appropriate curriculum in a safe, healthy environment. At the Waterside School for Leadership, college bound scholars in grades 6-8 are Leaders of their Lives, Learning and Community. Waterside fosters in their scholars a sense of community, an understanding of leadership and a commitment to ethical behavior that encourages them to become positive change agents in high school, college and beyond.
Little Wings Does: Greenwich Triathlon
In July of 2012 fifteen hard core Little Wings followers teamed up to compete in the Greenwich Triathlon. We swam 0.5 miles, biked 15 miles, and ran just over 3 miles as a group. The pink ribbons tied to our helmets signified the effort our team put towards helping those in need.
Who we helped?
The team proudly raised nearly $5000 before the big day. The majority of that money was donated to the Life Haven Women's Shelter in New Haven. The monies were used to create a healthy food/cooking program for the women and children living at the shelter.