Beyond Belief Network May 2018 Round Up

The Beyond Belief Network events in May really show the variety of ways that BBN teams–big and small–can have a great impact in their communities!

In May, three different teams held blood donation events. Six volunteers from Atheist Community of San Jose donated blood at Stanford Blood Center in Mountain View, California. Humanist Community of Central Ohio (HCCO) and Central Ohio United Non-Theists (COUNT) held a combined Bleed-N-Feed event. Two HCCO volunteers and two COUNT volunteers donated units of whole blood or did apheresis at the Carriage Place Red Cross Donor Center in Columbus, Ohio. After, donors become diners when they headed to a nearby restaurant to replenish. One unit of blood can save as many as three people's lives. Donating blood is a great example of how small teams can make a big difference! 

COUNT and HCCO held another joint event in May. They continued their monthly commitment to the Community Shelter Board (CSB) facility on Van Buren Drive in Columbus, Ohio, which provides meals and housing to people experiencing homelessness.Some volunteers served dinners while others washed dishes, mopped floors, and cleaned tables while wearing COUNT/HCCO branded t-shirts or name tags to raise awareness that they are non-theists doing service. This was their 29th joint event at CSB. Having reliable, committed volunteers really makes a difference to local organizations. Keep it up COUNT and HCCO! 

In addition to their joint events with HCCO, COUNT held an additional event: Day of Reason Brewery Fundraiser & Potluck. The event benefit the Mid-Ohio Foodbank. That's a great way to have an impact while having some fun too! 

Center for Inquiry–Michigan (CFI-MI) is going to have their Secular Summer retreat in July at Long Lake Outdoor Center in Middleville, Michigan. In May, 14 Center for Inquiry spent a day giving back to the center and community by helping to preserve the beautiful historic campground so that it can be enjoyed by the numerous schools, community groups, and wedding parties who visit every year. CFI-MI projects this year included staining outside walls the lodge, clearing brush and leaves from around the lodge, and general cabin inspections and maintenance. They had awesome weather, and a spectacular crew that worked diligently to stain the main lodge, while trying not to aggravate the hornets that had homes in their workspace! No humans or hornets were harmed during this endeavor!  Great idea, CFI-MI, to offset and more the wear and tear your retreat will have on this community space!  (18 05 BBN Center for Inquiry Michigan Long Lake Workday)

South Texas Atheists for Reason (STAR) again headed to downtown San Antonio to hand out hygiene supplies to people experiencing homeless. Before the event, they collected donations and purchased supplies for volunteers to give away. About 55 people went through the line in May. Giveaways are excellent events for established teams that have a core group of volunteers that can make sure monthly events can go off without a hitch. Great event STAR!

No matter how big or small your team is, no matter how old or new, no matter what kind of issue(s) your team wants to tackle, you can make a difference. And you embody humanism at work!