Beyond Belief Network February round-up

Foundation Beyond Belief was pleased to announce the Beyond Belief Network (BBN) Picture and Team of the Month Winners for February, but those weren't the only BBN teams doing amazing work! Beyond Belief Network teams reported nearly 30 events and 1,300 hours of service in February. Here's what some other teams were doing in February!

South Texas Atheists for Reason (STAR) continued providing humanist chaplains for weekly discussions with trainees at Lackland Air Force Base. Between 700 and 1,000 trainees attend every week! STAR volunteers also helped the San Antonio River Authority clear the invasive cats claw vine off of trees and plant new trees as part of the Watershed Wise Warriors environmental preservation program. They also worked on the garden plots at the San Antonio Food Bank and handed out hygiene supplies and weather appropriate clothing at their monthly giveaway for residents in need.

Brevard Area Atheists cleaned up 33 pounds of roadside garbage in their community. They're keeping track of the tally for the year!

Springfield Skeptics took on a building project in partnership with a local dog rescue organization. Rescue One needed an enclosed play area at one of the locations where dogs are fostered while permanent homes are found. Springfield Skeptics located, donated & fundraised for some used chain link fencing, dog kennel panels, t-posts, gates, and hardware.

As they do on the fourth Thursday of every month, the Fellowship of Freethought-Dallas prepared and served a meal for the residents at the Ewing Center, which provides medically supportive housing to low-income persons living with HIV/AIDS.

Continuing with their fun monthly themed meals at SafeHouse of Seminole, BE. Orlando prepared and served a heart-themed dinner in February. Volunteers also joined other community organizations at Second Harvest Food Bank to sort donations provided by local grocery stores.

Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry picked up 11 bags of litter (165 pounds) along their stretch of adopted highway. The group has been cleaning up the stretch of road for more than 10 years! Secular Humanists of the Lowcountry will also be hosting the 76th annual AHA conference June 8-11th in Charleston, South Carolina. Foundation Beyond Belief staff and members of the board will be there! Will you?

The Atheist Community of Colorado Springs (ACCS) continued with its bimonthly crafting for charity. The group saves thousands of plastic bags from going to the landfill by turning them into sleeping mats for the homeless. These sleeping mats are donated alongside other needed items to a local charity, Street Supplies Inc. The group completed three new mats in February!

Sunday Assembly Los Angeles hosted a blood drive at the February Assembly. Despite untimely street closures in the area and the resulting lower turnout, SALAmanders donated 19 pints!

Minnesota Atheists volunteers pitch in every month at The Food Group, a secular, non-faith based, non-profit organization whose mission is to serve the hunger needs of the Twin Cities. In February, the group packed 3,240 pounds of food to be distributed. The group also continued its monthly volunteering event at The Family Place, a day and night center for families living without a permanent home. Eleven Minnesota Atheists volunteers purchased ingredients to make a delicious pizza dinner for 16 children and five adults. They cooked, served the meal, and cleaned up after the guests were done eating.

The Humanist Community of Central Ohio (HCCO) and Central Ohio United Non-Theists (COUNT) got together for their fifteenth joint event at the Community Shelter Board facility in Columbus. Some volunteers serve dinners while others wash dishes, mop floors, file forms and clean tables. COUNT volunteers also worked as "Housewarmers" at the Ronald McDonald House on SuperBowl Sunday. The Columbus Ronald McDonald House 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 – they staff the front desk, assist families with their needs, give tours, prepare guest rooms after checkout, do laundry, restock supplies, and clean the facilities.

Do you volunteer with a local group putting humanism into action? Talk to your group about joining the Beyond Belief Network.