During the month of December 2020, the E-ClubNEO (Satellite Club of the Rotary Club of Northampton-Cuyahoga Valley) rolled up their figurative sleeves and set to work on their latest service project: creating “Birthday Bags” for Portage County Job and Family Services. As noted in the last district newsletter, these birthday bags contained items that could accommodate a small birthday party for children and adolescents ages 1 through 18. Essentially a “birthday party in a bag” each contained specific items such as birthday cake fixings, decorative tableware, decorations such as balloons and crepe paper, wrapping paper for a gift, and a small favor for other birthday party attendees (e.g., glitter slime, harmonicas, coloring books, etc.). The E-Club members weathered the social distancing guidelines by shopping for items on their own, but teamed up in small groups (COVID-style) to complete bags for each age level.
At the time of the first delivery, the E-ClubNEO created 45 (of the 200 targeted for the year) bags to provide birthday celebrations for these youngsters! We also enjoyed working with each other, digitally and in-person (safely) to complete this great activity.
The E-ClubNEO is still interested in teaming up with our fellow Rotarians! If you would like more information on the project or would like assist the E-ClubNEO in fulfilling the 200-bag commitment, please contact Project Chair Kathryn Craig: craig.kathryn2008@gmail.com
For more information about E-ClubNEO, please visit www.eclubneo.org
Yours in Service -
Juleta Craig, Secretary, E-ClubNEO
Photos by Kathryn Craig
In the photos:
Kim McClendon, Public Information Officer for Portage County Job and Family Services (in maroon)
Melissa Boyd, Administrative Assistant to Child and Adult Protective Services (in green)
Unloading 45 Birthday Bags delivered by E-ClubNEO.