Ann Brandon, an English Instructor at Clovis Community College, raised over $1145 for food donations to the Habitat for Humanity Acts of Kindness program, thanks to the generosity of CCC employees.
Ann, first began volunteering with the Habitat for Humanity program "after Dr. Bennett set up a project to help frame a house."
"I LOVE to paint so then I volunteered later that year to do the interior painting on one of the houses. Last October, about 12 from our CCC Campus Connect Club volunteered alongside another group and painted the Pinedale Community Center."
Ann had planned to volunteer again this summer, "but that changed, of course, due to COVID-19". So, when she had the opportunity to volunteer with the Acts of Kindness program, helping to sort, bag, and load cleaning and food supplies, she jumped on it.
While Ann was volunteering, she learned from Chelsi, the Acts of Kindness Coordinator, that supplies were to run out very soon. So, after announcing on her personal FaceBook page and asking who would like to donate food goods or money, she was overwhelmed by the positive response.
"I also asked permission from the administration to have a collection day on campus on Tuesday morning, 7/7. I know I work with so many generous and kind people, but I honestly did not expect the results. It kind of exploded in a good way."
$1,145 was collected through cash, checks, and Venmo. As promised, Ann went shopping Tuesday afternoon and spent $700 buying all kinds of good non-perishable items (veggies, soup, pasta sauce, canned chicken, pasta, beans, rice, etc.). "It filled up my mom’s Outback!"
"Through the food drive/collection on Tuesday morning, we collected so much food that it filled my (empty) trunk, the back seat, and the front seat."
Ann delivered the remaining $445 cash/checks and two carloads of food to the Habitat for Humanity’s warehouse on Tuesday 7/7 and Wednesday 7/8. This will help out families in need in Fresno County.
Habitat for Humanity is an organization that helps build communities. They build homes for families and they have many outreach programs like Acts of Kindness. People can apply for this assistance through the Habitat for Humanity website or by contacting their office 559-237-4102 ext. 116.
The Acts of Kindness project is part of the Neighborhood Revitalization Program. This program also goes out every Thursday morning to different neighborhoods in Fresno County to help with various clean-up/chores for people (painting, cleaning, yard work, washing windows, etc.). "They are always looking for volunteers and honestly, once you volunteer – you get hooked", said Ann.
Ann is still receiving donations and is overwhelmed at the generosity of all her friends and colleagues.
