Philanthropy Files October 2019

As the WCA’s Volunteer and Events Coordinator, I get the honor to interact with hundreds of generous members of our community each year. The philanthropy of the Treasure Valley never ceases to amaze me. One recent particular instance of philanthropy made me reflect on the incredible power of collaboration. A few weeks ago, I received an email from our Residential Shelter Manager that we were in need of many queen sized pillows for residents in our shelter.

The reason we always need stocks of pillows on hand is because like their bedding, our shelter clients are able to take their pillows with them when they one day leave the shelter for their new home. I listed the need on our website Wish List and Amazon Wish List but unfortunately did not receive many pillows. I then reached out to the 60+ groups who have all expressed an interest in helping our clients.

I was touched to receive a response from a woman who took it upon herself to host a donation drive for pillows, donating her time and efforts to helping us secure what our clients needed. But what struck me most of all, is a collaboration between her and one of our WCA volunteers, both of whom had never met.

The woman hosting the drive was not able to deliver them to the WCA so our volunteer was able to pick them up from the location of the drive and bring them to our Washington Street office. They both worked together for our clients to receive 49 new pillows as well as monetary donations toward more pillow purchases.

Collaboration is common and essential in nonprofits but this particular collaboration literally gave our clients a comfortable place to lay their heads. The power of working together can never be underestimated.

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