BBN teams organize service events with great impact

Foundation Beyond Belief’s Beyond Belief Network is a network of secular humanist groups volunteering in their communities and raising money for FBB’s featured charities and programs. Any group with a public secular humanist or atheist identity is welcome to join, regardless of experience or group size.

Central New York Humanist Association recently reached Level 1. Last month, seven members gave blood at the Red Cross in Liverpool, NY. After giving blood, they went to The Retreat, a nearby restaurant, for food and conversation.

In July, officers and members of Humanist Alliance Philippines, International (HAPI) attended their ongoing nutritional campaign in Alabang, Muntinlupa City. Activities included a boodle fight and a values formation class for children. A boodle fight is a traditional, Philippine military-styled way of eating where food is served on banana leaves on top of long tables. HAPI is the latest Beyond Belief Network team to reach Level 3.

Fellowship of Freethought Dallas (FoFD), a Level 3 team, prepared their monthly meal for the Supper Club program of AIDS Services of Dallas. AIDS Services of Dallas is a 501(c)3 organization that provides medically supportive housing to low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS. The Supper Club program provides residents with a hot, nutritious, home-cooked meal every night. Last month, the team prepared a variety of salads.  

In July, three volunteers from Central Ohio United Non-Theists (COUNT) worked as Housewarmers at Ronald McDonald House (RMH) in Columbus, Ohio. RMH provides housing and meals to families with children being treated at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and other area hospitals. Housewarmers work with guests to provide a home-like environment. The team’s ten Housewarmers have contributed 586.6 hours to date. COUNT is a Level 3 team.

Last month, thirteen members of Lehigh Valley Humanists met to clean their adopted stretch of Fish Hatchery Road in Allentown PA. The team reports that while they're already seeing improvements, they still collected fourteen bags of trash. Recently, Lehigh Valley Humanists continued their work with their adopted apartment at 6th Street Shelter in Allentown, PA. With less than a week's notice, ten volunteers cleaned a heavily marked wall, recovered the kitchen chairs, and restocked the bedding, bath and kitchen. Lehigh Valley Humanists is a Level 1 team.

Three members of Siouxland Freethinkers in Sioux Falls, South Dakota participated in Bike MS. In addition to spreading awareness about multiple sclerosis,Team Siouxland Freethinkers raised $895.00.

In July, Atheist Community of San Jose, sorted 15,000 lbs. of food at Second Harvest Food Bank in San Jose, CA. In a separate service event held this month, team members donated blood at the Stanford Blood Center.

If you are a member of a secular humanist or atheist group and would like to participate in community service projects under the national umbrella of Foundation Beyond Belief, join Beyond Belief Network. We welcome all atheist groups interested in service, from groups with extensive volunteer experience to newly formed groups new to secular service. By aggregating our efforts, we demonstrate that all we really need is charity and goodness to make the world a better place.