February and March Winners! Beyond Belief Network Team of the Month & Photo of the Month

Beyond Belief Network is a collective of over 125 humanist, atheist, and other non-believing organizations putting compassionate humanism into action through community volunteering and charitable fundraising. COVID-19 and Secular Week of Action kept us pretty busy for a while, so now we're playing a little catch-up. Let's see what teams crushed it in the months of February and March!

February 

Northwestern Chicagoland Humanist Crew (NCHC), February’s Team of the Month, came together (before social distancing was in effect) to make valentines for patients at Advocate Hospice in Lake Zurich, IL. They made 27 valentines over the course of several days, which were compiled and dropped off for patients residing there for end of life care. It was a great and unique opportunity for everyone in the group— with ages spanning 5 years old to grandparent age—  to give folks in hospice some Valentine’s love.

February’s Picture of the Month comes from Kol Hadash Humanistic Congregation Community Service Committee and their event at Chicago Ronald McDonald House, which provides housing to families of children at the Lurie Children's Hospital.  Volunteers each contributed $30 towards the costs of providing a meal then prepared and served the meal, including clean-up. Great event Kol Hadash!

March

As we transitioned into a new way of doing community service in March, Central Ohio United Non-Theists (COUNT), March’s Beyond Belief Network Team of the Month, was able to make the switch well.

In early March, COUNT held their last winter lesson with Adaptive Sports Connection (ASC). Volunteers were trained to assist certified lead instructors in giving 2-3 hour lessons to students. COUNT had plans to assist ASC with kayak lessons in May, so we look forward to hearing when these ASC events finally resume.

COUNT held their monthly dinner-serving event in mid-March at the Van Buren Center shelter, where they wore COUNT-branded aprons and nametags to help bring visibility to non-theists doing service.

As the effects of COVID were becoming clear, COUNT decided to go forward with their regular Bleed-N-Feed blood donation event, especially because so many blood drives had been cancelled across the country in late February and early March. In order to go through with the event, they followed extra safety precautions at the blood donation center and forwent the dinner they usually share together after donating. Thank you for your service, COUNT!

March’s Picture of the Month comes from Humanist Alliance Philippines, International (HAPI). The picture comes from their event to support the male surgery ward of the Jose R. Reyes Memorial Medical Center and the Armed Forces of the Philippines Reserve Command (AFPRESCOM) providing PPE equipment and food. HAPI found out what was being requested and then issued a call for donations. The supplies were greatly needed and much appreciated!

BBN is just one of many examples of the work our humanist community does to make a positive impact on the world. The network wouldn't be possible without your support. Please help us contiue this work with a contriution to our general fund today.