February Team of the Month: Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless

Congratulations to Beyond Belief Network’s February Team of the Month: Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless (ATXAHH)! Based in Austin, TX, this team reached Level Three last year. They are currently on track to be the first team to reach Level One in 2015. ATXAHH was chosen for Team of the Month recognition because of their organizational skills, their regular service schedule and their dedication towards serving the needs of their local community.

One of ATXAHH’s regular events is a monthly donation drive and giveaway. Their most recent donation drive was held between December 18, 2014 and January 18, 2015. Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless collected and sorted nearly $2,700 worth of items to distribute to people who are living at or below the poverty line and are homeless. Items included personal toiletries, prepackaged snacks, books, magazines, clothing and winter accessories. At their giveaway on January 18th, forty-two ATXAHH volunteers served 143 people in line. Over a dozen volunteers were first-time volunteers, making it a new volunteer record for ATXAHH.

Team members also contribute handmade knitted items through ATXAHH’s Gettin’ Knotty Knitting Guild. At the January giveaway, six members made forty-one hats and some washcloths. Considering that it takes more time to knit hats, the number contributed is fantastic.

Beyond Belief Network is proud to support Austin Atheists Helping the Homeless and wishes them continued success in the coming months.

Don’t forget Beyond Belief Network Teams! Demonstrate your organizational skills and start planning your community service event for Week of Action now! Just like last year, you'll be able to register your Week of Action service event on the Week of Action website, and we'll help get the word out about all the great volunteering opportunities. For inspiration, check out some of last year's events. Whether or not you observe the National Day of Prayer or Reason, spend the last week of April acting.

Team of the Month recognition is a benefit provided by Foundation Beyond Belief to our Beyond Belief Network teams. In order to be considered, your group must be a Level One Beyond Belief Network team and you must submit at least one event report during the month. Team of the Month selection is based on the number, length, variety, and documentation (e.g., submitted pictures, blog posts, videos, etc.) of events.

Teams can only be Team of the Month once per calendar year. If your local group does great service work but isn’t a member of BBN, you can join anytime! In addition to recognition, your team can qualify for free t-shirts and grants. If your local humanist group doesn’t volunteer, but you’d like to start, we’d love to help! For teams new to secular service, we offer tons of ideas, event guides, and advice.