Each year on May 8th, we encourage our chapters and members to volunteer their time and/or resources and give back to their communities as part of SIOR Service Day. This year, we saw SIORs across the country participate, and we are very proud of the impact they made. One SIOR summed up the importance of Service Day succinctly:
“Community service is the rent we pay for occupying space in our community. Pay a fair rent and pay it on time.”
Check out below for some of the projects that SIOR members undertook, and keep checking our Facebook page throughout the year to see more amazing service projects that Chapters around the globe will be doing for their communities!
Philadelphia
The Philadelphia Chapter visited their local Salvation Army to help beautify their basement space and learn more about the organization’s programs and outreach in the community.
Wisconsin
The Wisconsin Chapter spent Service Day at the Wehr Nature Center at Whitnall Park. The services accomplished included readying the Children’s Play Area, removing invasive plants and trimming overgrown vegetation. Afterwards, they were treated to a tour of the beautiful park grounds, giving volunteers an opportunity to fully appreciate the cause being served.
Middle and East Tennessee
In Knoxville, SIORs filled and packaged nearly 2,000 bags of cereal that will be given to charitable organizations across eastern Tennessee, including food pantries, soup kitchens, emergency shelters and schools.
Nearby in Nashville, SIOR partnered with the CABLE group to assemble boxes and pack food into cold storage facilities. In one day, they packed 5000 pounds of food.
Memphis
This year, the Memphis Chapter partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis to assist in their renovation project. The Club is currently refurbishing the final piece of a three-building overhaul and SIOR Memphis participated in cleaning and prepping the last building to allow for the renovation process to begin.
Southern Nevada
Members of the Southern Nevada Chapter took advantage of their Annual Golf Tournament to raise a $24,000 donation for Street Teens, a local program aimed at helping homeless and at-risk teens.
Inland Empire & Orange County
The IEOC Chapter partnered with Best Day Foundation, an organization dedicated to enabling children and young adults with special needs to build their confidence, broaden their experiences, and connect with their community.
Northern California
Through their SIOR Golf Tournament, members of the Northern California Chapter raised $2,000 for the Napa Valley Community Foundation, an organization that connects donors and projects to improve the overall quality of life for the area.
Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania, Northern West Virginia
This year, the Pittsburgh, Western Pennsylvania, and Northern West Virginia Chapter hosted an exciting charity bowling event where they raised $2,000 for the Wounded Warrior Project.
Arizona
Members from the Arizona Chapter worked with Feed My Starving Children, a non-profit organization that packs and distributes food for people in developing nations.