Service Project of the Month: WAKE Up and Read
Several years ago instead of giving something up for Lent, I decided to try something different. I wanted to add something to my life. After thinking about it, it became apparent that time was my most valuable commodity. I also wanted to get back into volunteering. After some searching, I found the perfect fit: the Catholic Parish Outreach. The Outreach serves over 10,000 people a month and is run 95% by volunteers. You don’t have to be Catholic to go there or volunteer and notably, it is actually the largest food pantry in NC!
I have spent hundreds of hours volunteering over the last seven years with the Catholic Parish Outreach – sorting food in the warehouse, getting orders together, sifting through 500 dozen eggs… you name it, my parents and I have probably done it. By the way, did I mention this has become a family affair?! I have also dedicated a portion of all my sales to make a sizable donation each year, of which I hope to double this year.
This year I was again wondering what I would do for Lent and it was like divine intervention that I saw a tweet that our local board of Realtors Young Professionals Group was teaming up with WAKE Up and Read. After doing some research, I knew this would be the perfect service project to add this year!
Being a new parent, my whole world has changed. Over the past seven months, reading to my daughter has been one of my absolute favorite things to do. It allows me to really focus on her, be in the moment, and not worry about outside distractions. I cherish this time with her and love it.
So this is what I’m asking of YOU: WAKE Up and Read is looking for gently used or new books geared to the ages of 0-12 years. We are working on coordinating drop points and we are even willing to pick them up from you if that makes things easier! In one day, just from two people cleaning up their kids’ books, we already have close to 100 donated!
I hope you’ll join Hillman Real Estate Group in supporting this great initiative. During the month of February, WAKE Up and Read has set a goal of collecting “110,000 books in one month – enough to share with students at 10 elementary schools, as well as community centers and 20 child care facilities across Wake County.” It’s a lofty ambition, but one that I know this great organization and its many volunteers, like myself, are ready to tackle in the month of February. If you have any questions, would like to coordinate a donation drop-off or pick-up, or would like to get further involved yourself, please call or email me to get started! You can reach me at 919-877-6708 or Renee@HREGSells.com.
Let’s get ready to WAKE Up and Read!
PS: Hillman Real Estate Group is planning to buy $500 worth of books to support this great cause, so if you’d simply like to donate to support, we’d be happy to purchase additional books on your behalf!