AFPAware
AFPAware is
centered on the three guiding principles of Workplace, Community and
Environment. AFP consciously partners with organizations committed to corporate
and social responsibility. Entering its fourth year, AFPAware continues to impact communities across the country.
ECOMB
The fifth annual AFPAware events were bigger and better at the 2012 AFP Annual Conference in Miami. For the 2012 community service activity, 70 attendees volunteered their time to help ECOMB, an environmental not-for-profit organization, clean up an island near Miami Beach. Sailing out to a small island in Biscayne Bay, the volunteers removed trash left by visitors—improving the local ecosystem in the process. Sponsored by BBVA Compass
PaintFest
While the ECOMB activity took place before the opening of Annual Conference, PaintFest once again was set in the exhibit hall. Created by The Foundation for Hospital Art, whose mission is to give comfort and hope to those who suffer in hospitals by providing them murals, attendees clearly enjoyed taking time out of their conference to flex their creative muscles. The Paintfest murals are pre-drawn by Foundation for Hospital Art artists and color-coded. This year attendees completed nine murals, which will be donated to hospitals throughout the country. Sponsored by BBVA Compass
Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
AFP and AFP of Canada made a contribution to the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research based on the strength of membership renewals at Annual Conference. AFP and AFP of Canada chose the Michael J. Fox foundation for Parkinson’s Research as a show of support for Michael J. Fox, the actor and author who was the keynote speaker at Annual Conference. AFP and AFP of Canada pledged $5 for every renewal; a total of 572 AFP and AFP of Canada members renewed their memberships at the conference, bringing the total contribution to $2,860. The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research is the second largest Parkinson’s research facility in the world.
Sponsored by BBVA Compass
Cradles to Crayons
At the 2011 Annual Conference in Boston, AFPAware volunteers visited Cradles to Crayons, which provides children up to age 12 living in homeless and low-income situations with the essentials they need to feel safe, warm, ready to learn, and valued. The 65 volunteers shopped, sorted clothes and books, cleaned shoes, and more, for the organization. The volunteers prepared 119 book bundles; prepared 75 outfit packs; sorted clothes for 43 children; cleaned 80 pairs of shoes; and completed 93 orders. In just a few hours, the AFPAware volunteers’ hard work touched the lives of more than 400 Boston-area children.
Paintfest
In addition to supporting Cradles to Crayons, AFPAware hosted a Paintfest with The Foundation for Hospital Art, whose mission is to give comfort and hope to hospital patients by providing them artwork at no cost. Nine murals were painted and donated to hospitals in Boston, Denver, Jacksonville and Phoenix.
Sponsored by BBVA Compass
Family Service Association’s The Neighborhood Place
The Family Service
Association was selected as the AFPAware
project in San Antonio. 60 volunteers painted the facility, replaced the
skirting, laid the groundwork for a new chain link fence and two new storage
sheds, and sorted and labeled books for the library. They also organized
donations and prepared mailings for the annual Adopt a Family program. In
addition to the volunteer service, AFP donated a monetary gift.
Paintfest
In addition to the Neighborhood Place event, AFPAware hosted a Paintfest with The Foundation for Hospital Art,
whose mission is to give comfort and hope to hospital patients by providing
them artwork at no cost. 9 murals were painted and donated to hospitals in
Birmingham, Dallas, San Antonio, and Houston.
Sponsored by BBVA Compass
Larkin Street Youth Services
AFPAware participants helped LSYS
with several projects. Volunteers prepared a special meal for youth, organized
donations and cleaned the clothing closet accessed by youth ages 12 to 24 on a
daily basis, created hygiene and HIV prevention kits and 72 kits for youth ages
12 to 17 that are staying in the LSYS emergency shelter. Kits included
toiletries, wash clothes, sewing kits, shirts and pajama pants, bathroom totes,
and laundry bags. In addition, AFP donated a monetary gift.
Sponsored by Fidelity Charitable Services
Midnight Mission
As part of the 2008 AFP Annual
Conference, 50 AFP members prepared and served approximately 700 meals
on a day when the homeless are usually not fed. Efforts also included monetary
donations, leftover conference food, registration bags and other conference
items. Donations were made to L.A. schools and a school in Tanzania. Click
here for more insight on the event.
AFP Staff Gives Back
AFP staff members participated in helping with food preparation at the Food
& Friends Kitchen in Washington, DC. This was an opportunity that
allowed AFP to give back to the local community while continuing to expand the
efforts of the AFPAware.
How are you giving
back? Send us your story. Stories can
be sent to afpaware@AFPonline.org.