Have you ever thought of giving yourself the gift of "Humility?"…read more In a society overrun by materialism, we often forget about those who lack the basic necessities just to survive on a daily basis. I will admit that I use to be one of those offenders, you know the ones who see a homeless/less fortunate person and say, "Awwww, I feel sorry for him/her..." then turn a blind eye. As obvious as it may seem (yet we tend to ignore), feeling sorry for someone isn't going to help them unless you proactively help to change the situation. One day, I had an epiphany and felt like something was missing in my life. This is where One Brick came into my life to help fill in the gap. I've wanted to volunteer for a while now but with a busy work and social schedule, I couldn't commit for 6 months and 3-4 hours a week like many organizations require. After searching on Yelp, I came across One Brick, a non-profit organization that makes volunteering easy with NO long-term commitment. (Thanks, Sam T. for giving me more insight about One Brick and making my decision much easier!) SIGNING UP FOR A VOLUNTEERING EVENT 1) Create a One Brick account, which takes less than 2 minutes. 2) Go to the Calendar and choose from a number of volunteering opportunities: prepping supplies, food repackaging, food distribution, park clean-ups and gardening are among some of the examples. Each event has a description of what you will be doing and what to wear (*ahem* Ladies, NO stilettos! Lol!). 3) Once you find an event that tickles your fancy, you RSVP on the website. You can set a reminder to be emailed to you up to 7 days before the event. If you can't attend, you can always cancel. 4) Most events last for 2-3 hours with an option to go to lunch or dinner with other volunteers afterwards. MY VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE It's been a month since joining One Brick and so far I've volunteered at two events (with more to come): *Food Distribution to Families at the Mission Bay Community Church: http://ecfoodpantry.missionbaycc.org/. *Supply Prep for the Homeless At The Crossroads: http://atthecrossroads.org/. Before starting each event, you check-in with a volunteer manager(s), get a name tag and there is a short intro of the organization, as well as, the other volunteers. I love that the managers explains HOW your individual efforts contributes to the overall efforts of the organization and HOW it will help those individuals/families in need. They even provide drinks and snacks for the volunteers! Thus far, none of the work was strenuous by any means. For the food distribution, we had to open boxes, organize, and hand out food items (e.g. rice, soup, veggies, etc.) to Excelsior families in need. And, for the supply prep, there were 5 stations: candy packing, toiletry packing, folding scarves, hanging up coats and sweaters and cleaning supplies. On a first come basis, you get to choose what station you want to work at (I choose to pack candy). The managers and all the other volunteers are very friendly and take the initiative to get to know you. Being able to socialize while performing our tasks made the time fly by quickly. In addition, it was refreshing to socialize with people out of work and the nightlife scene. With only two volunteer events under my belt, it has been a very humbling experience to say the least. To see those who are less fortunate and the smile you put on their faces has truly been life changing. Although physical gifts are nice, nothing exceeds the intrinsic reward you get when you know YOU are making a difference in HUMAN LIVES! I can't say enough, how I HIGHLY recommend One Brick as an avenue to begin volunteer work. In just 2-3 hours of your time, you can improve the quality of life for others, extend your social network and give yourself the gift of a humble heart. Without the help of volunteers, One Brick and other organizations would NOT be able to do what they do. So, as we are approaching a new year, why not start it off right by GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY ONE DAY AT A TIME...all that's required is a SMILE and a HELPING HAND! :)

My Fellow Chicagoans may not know too much about One Brick. I met some One Brickers while…read morevolunteering to clean up Humboldt Park on Earth Day and they seemed like a nice friendly lot. Plus, they went for food and drinks afterward and invited me along, it's like Yelp +Volunteering! So it seems a perfect match to push their cause here. It took me a while to volunteer after that initial meet, but it was so easy! You can sign up on their email list and register directly from there or go to their website and do it. My event last week was cooking for the Lincoln Park Community Shelter. One Brick brought about 12 people together that chipped in for the food, the organizer made up the menu and brought the groceries and put us to work! I had no idea I could fry up 30 breasts of chicken in an hour but call me Mel I guess! "Order up Dingbat!" The volunteers did range from the experienced (100+ events done) to the novice (me and another), but we were made to feel welcomed and there was no snobbery or lack of getting to know people. There's such a variety of volunteer opportunities and you can sign up whenever you want and not feel pressured.There are also Social Events (hello Yelpers) where One Brickers meet to drink and socialize and perhaps rally around a cause like bringing school supplies for needy kids. I'll definitely volunteer with them again. (Getting down from my Soap Box now so you may climb up!)

We went to SF Made this weekend @ Fort Mason to get some stocking fillers and I wish this would've…read morebeen earlier so I would've got some actual gifts. I'm on this supporting community kick and I LOVEd LOVEd and LOVEd this event. It opened my eyes to so many places in the city. I don't know where to start but let me give some shout outs. SFMade staff - Don't change a thing you guys are awesome but think early holiday season next year. Weston Wear - So elegantly cute and sassy. Nosh This - Salty Lemon Caramel has just become my next BIG DEAL! Tcho - Loved your chocolates but get your credit card game going. Everyone accepts ccards. Still see you soon. Heliotrope - My shaving game will never be the same. Aveda who?! Earthbody - You just became the #1 gift spot for all the women in my life. You're a one shop spot for my mom, grandmother, aunt, gf and friends. Kika's Treats - Yeah I would change your name from Kika's Treats to Kika's Rewards that is some yummy stuff. Booty Boutique - Hellloooo is it me your making custom buckles for? Probably made the biggest splash on me with those absolutely sick (in a good way) belt buckle designs. I will be visiting your boutique very very soon with b-days right around the corner. Great job SFMade just makes me love San Francisco even more.

We were at the first SF Made holiday gift Fair, and were happy to be at the recent one…read more This is a great organization, and Im', happy to see the amazing growth they've had. The items sold at the gift fair are unique, high quality and (of course) made and manufactured in SF. There are some very small vendors selling , as well as neighborhood business that fit the bill. Once again, we were able to do a bit of our holiday shopping here. There's such a great variety of items, it's hard to narrow down what to buy. Loved it, and can't wait to come back next year!

So impressed by the compassionate treatment of residents here. Truly amazing work on a shoestring…read morebudget.

I love Raphael House! I used to know it well. The brothers and the sisters there are wonderful…read more The food was fantastic. It's been a long time since I've seen it. I would love to visit again~ soon!

Great seeing that food assistance is available for those in need living in the Outer Richmond…read more Fresh Eggs and Produce, plus bagged groceries. Registration might be required so check in for requirements, dates, and hours. I noticed the Food Bank team setting up on Tuesday, and on this date a volunteer advised that new participants could sign up after 3:30pm. But like I said, confirm current status of this location if living in the 94121 zip code.

They have been providing food at my building since the pandemic. I am grateful. Made my life…read morebetter. By fighting malnourishment, they are also fighting pandemic diseases!

I have been a Volunteer 10 years of now. The CEO Dawn ,Ron Delvin& the entire staff. Are truly by…read morefar amazing the loyality, kindness the programs that they teach kids. From 14-24-are beyond awesome. It has change my life I grew up with both parents. Nice home&:cabin in Bear Valley/ My dad wk for Delta Airlines 36 years. Travel 1st- class. These kids who come into SYS have had some rough hard times. Whenever they are making music recording . Moe teaching High School to cook/ clean. To prepare them for jobs All kids that I've seen they love it. I admire the entire staff. Being a Volunteer it's work. I love it every time. I go in clean it all makes sense when you see what this place is truly all about. I want to continue to donate$$to see place continue to help kids. To become better to get hired. I have met people in their late 30's. To come in say Hi they tell me they were@ SYS. When they were 12 ! I love hearing wonderful uplifting stories. Hats off to CEO/ Staff

This place is incredible the way they deal w/ kids and families. It seems to be full of love and…read morethey have the knowledge to work w/ the system and get kids the help needed - in a compassionate way. I had the opportunity to attend their event last year and I am just so impressed with the staff of Sunset Youth Services. Apparently they deal with families all over the city, not just in the Sunset as one might suspect. Bravo to the whole group in having the courage to tackle these real life issues like drugs, violence, abuse, and prostitution that many of these children deal with everyday. Can you imagine the pressure of that? We all need a force such as this staff to exert intellect wrapped in love to effect the hearts of our kids and the capacity to advance them into mature people that give back to society. I know there are several people that have gone there - and gone on to live successful lives supporting there own familys, and giving back to the community. It's awesome.

This small non profit has a huge impact on the community. With all that they accomplish, one can…read moreeasily overlook the fact that these community projects are managed by an office with less than five individuals. The children of the Bay Area are given opportunities, art/sport facilities and even Christmas gifts.

i stumbled upon this foundation through a high school counselor…read more They do so many great things for the children in our communities. They provide programs and develop facilities so kids can play sports, develop skills where they might not otherwise be able to. They have art programs too. Transportation is provided for groups who might not be able to get to a program. I have volunteered at an event they held for the first time last year. It was a run/walk inside of AT&T Park. It was very well organized with many participants for a first year event. It helped raise funds for the foundation and they are having the event again this year in March. They also provide graduating seniors with scholarships to help them with college expenses. This is a great organization to support if you like groups that focus on our children.

I tried to drop off three boxes of men's and women's clothing to the First Step for Families…read morefacility at 325 Villa Terrace in San Mateo. When I called beforehand to make sure that they were accepting donations, the woman said that the "only accepted current fashionable donations, as they had mostly young women" there. Because I was donating mostly work dresses, I figured that was OK. The second woman who was actually accepting donations (different voice than on the phone) opened my first box to inspect it. She went through item-by-item and rejected two dresses and one blouse. She opened the box labeled as men's items, saw the suit on the top and said, "No. We only have young men here" and rejected the entire box. By then, I was upset enough not to bother to tell her that there were many almost new jackets and sweatshirts beneath. She opened the third box, saw there were baseball caps on the top and said "We only take new caps." Without looking at the contents of the rest of the box (mostly almost new casual mens and women's tops and sweaters), she rejected the box in whole. I took the other two boxes back to my car, and returned to give her three of the baseball caps which had never been worn. When I asked for a receipt, she said "You only gave 12 dresses." I told her that I still wanted a receipt the the donation. She had me scan the QR code, then said (out of the blue), "Don't enter $500." Talk about a TERRIBLE experience! I'll NEVER again donate to this organization. They missed out on a lot today, and deserve to continue to miss out when they malign strangers who are trying to donate to help their community

I donated food and clothing on a Saturday afternoon. Had a very pleasant experience with…read morerepresentative in the lobby donation area - she was extremely informative and helpful. This shelter accepts food donations, clothing for any gender and age, new toiletries, new toys, breast pumps, baby formula, bottles and baby clothes. They do NOT accept used toys or furniture, car seats or cribs. Good place for volunteer groups who wish to help stock the food pantry, clean, etc.

The ear-to-ear smiles on the two little girls' faces spoke volumes and made me so glad to be there…read moreto scoop up some macaroni and cheese and put it on their plates. To see the little boy's eyes light up upon being given a freshly iced vanilla cupcake brought a smile to my face and warmth in my heart. Last weekend I had the privilege of working side by side with a dedicated group of volunteers in setting up, decorating and putting on the Homeless Prenatal Program's annual Holiday Party for low income and homeless families in San Francisco. The dedicated staff at San Francisco's Homeless Prenatal Program (HPP) work with some of the poorest families in the City in motivating parents to try to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty for the sake of themselves and their children. By offering services such as parental counseling, substance abuse rehabilitation, mental health counseling, immigration support, job training resources, family violence therapy and housing assistance HPP helps parents and their children deal with everyday problems in an attempt to build trust within their community and motivate them to improve their lives and their family's well-being. With the simple goal of trying to put a smile on the face of somebody who might not have much to smile about the entire HPP staff cooks up an incredible Christmas luncheon each year to share with the over 150 families who rely on HPP's services. In addition to the fabulous holiday feast all children attending the party receive a wrapped book and every family is given an opportunity to pose and take home a family photo with Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus. This year individual volunteers along with volunteers organized by One Brick and The Junior League helped to transform a plain assembly room donated by the Old First Presbyterian Church on Sacramento Street and Van Ness Avenue into a festive holiday party hall. With the use of colorful ribbons, colored paper, Christmas lights and assorted ornaments we created a room that screamed out "HOLIDAY"! The more creative volunteers transformed ordinary ribbons into decorative bows while less creative individuals such as myself helped to create hundreds of helium-filled balloons for the kids. Volunteers and HPP staff wrapped hundreds of donated children's books and categorized them by the intended ages, and The Junior League's volunteers set up an art room where parents and their children could go in and create beautiful holiday images to take home. The rest of us grabbed a spot along the food server stations to help serve the homemade feast consisting of turkey, ham, stuffing, rice, vegetables, salads, tortillas with rice and beans, macaroni and cheese and the most incredible dessert table I've ever witnessed created entirely by two dedicated sisters who volunteer their services annually. It was an event I won't soon forget. I've posted some photos in the photos section. If you are interested in volunteering you may contact HPP's volunteer coordinator through the Homeless Prenatal Program website (http://www.homelessprenatal.org/).

The Homeless Prenatal Program has done great work for the community through their many programs…read more THIS is the organization I donate to because I know where the money is going... directly to the people who need it rather than to the staff who are supposed to be part of the services who don't show up. HPP don't irk me either because they're not folks that hide out, only to show up for photo opts! A lot of the clients are trained and end up working for the organization. If you're not sure if you want to donate to them, you could attend one of their wonderful open-house events (lots of food, you get to talk to the program people, and the clients whose lives they changed). Galvin Newsom and Danielle Steel were at one of the ones I attended! Check out their web site http://www.homelessprenatal.org/ P.S. I'm not giving them all those stars because of the chicken wings served at their event. Just look at their web site (made by volunteers - what dedication!) and compare it to other organizations and you'll come to the conclusion that HHP is organized and together!!!! Look at all the services they provide and the level of detail they go into on the site. You know they've gots to be reals.