On 4/3/2019, Alyssa, Jada, Dan, Sharleen, and Penny volunteered at the San Leandro MedShare warehouse to sort and box donated medical supplies that will be shipped to places in need. All the items were excess equipment donated from hospitals and manufacturers. Countries in need can order anything from syringes and cotton swabs, to IV tubes and heart monitors. As of today, MedShare has delivered, over $220 million, and over 6,000 tons of medical products to 103 countries.
On 2/20/2019, Sharleen, Alyssa, Jada, Joshua, and Sarah went to the food bank to pack apples and oranges. Other groups that also volunteered were Apple, Wells Fargo, and high school students. Collectively, we packed 2,199 pounds of onions, 4,676 pounds of apples, and 12,173 pounds of oranges. All together this is 19,048 pounds which is equivalent to 15,500 meals to the local community.
During the holidays, Girls Inc. had a celebration where parents and their daughters made ginger bread houses, enjoyed cookies and hot beverages. The girls performed Christmas carols for the parents. I enjoyed serving hot chocolate and tea.
In January I also participated in making corsages for the annual Father Daughter Dance with the Alameda Recreation Park Department (ARPD). We cut carnations and ferns, and tied them together with ribbons and wristbands.
On February 9th, 2019, Girl’s Inc held a Women Who Dare gala at the Scottish Rite Center to inspire girls to be strong, smart and bold. I volunteered as a group to help distribute auction items to the winners. Winners got to take home gift baskets, gift cards, weekend getaways, and many other wonderful items.
On December 8th, 2018 Alyssa, Kylie and Sharleen volunteered with Girls Inc. to serve cookies to guests taking part in the 48th annual Alameda Holiday Home Tour to benefit Alameda Family Services. Alameda Family Services is a human services organization whose programs improve the emotional, psychological and physical health of children, youth and families. Guests arrived from 11 AM until 3 PM to get their coffee or tea, and volunteers served them an assortment of homemade cookies. It was fun serving the guests and hearing about the festive houses decorated for the holidays.
On December 1st, 2018, I joined my friend Jada and her family to volunteer at Kids Against Hunger. We packed meals for kids suffering from malnutrition because they can’t afford healthy meals. We put dried crushed soy protein, dried vegetables, vitamin powder, and rice in a bag that was then vacuum sealed. Each bag was equivalent to six meals. The selection of food was especially important because malnourished people can’t digest certain foods. As a result, the food had to be soft and contained all the necessary nutrients. The package meals were highly digestible, had a long shelf life, and are cheap to make. All these factors make this organization really good for ending hunger in foreign countries. Some countries they serve are the United States, Egypt, Brazil, Russia, Sudan, Romania, Indonesia, Kenya, Argentina, Mexico, and so many more. In just two and a half hours, our three groups together packed 9,720 meals, far exceeding the predicted 6,000 meals. I am happy to do my part in fighting hunger.
I participate in the Teen Program at Girls Inc. On November 29, 2018 I volunteered at their annual Holiday Sale where elementary students can shop and wrap gifts for their family and friends. All of the donated items were priced between $0.25 and $1. The students could buy a maximum of six items and up $3. I helped as a personal shopper and gave them advice and led students to the wrapping rooms where another group of volunteers help them wrap the gifts. My sister Kylie greeted students at the door and gave out pencils and erasers to those who brought their own shopping bags. The students bought items including books, Christmas ornaments, jewelry, kitchen supplies, arts and crafts, candles, water bottles, makeup, purses & bags, picture frames, sports equipment, games, movies, stationary, and stuffed animals. It was especially fun to help the students find the perfect gifts for their family and friends.
I volunteered with my mom at the SAHA Senior Center. We served Yams, Turkey, Stuffing, Green beans, Dinner Rolls, cranberry sauce, Pecan pie, Pumpkin pie, Apple pie, and cupcakes. I saw dancers do their dance. After I called out raffle tickets, it was fun to give people their gifts. ; )
On 10/27/2018, a group of Lincoln Middle School students, along with their friends and family gathered at the LMS campus to distribute door hangers that inform Alameda citizens about the harm of candy-flavored tobacco products. In my group, I went with Lily and Kylie for 2 miles in our designated area. We even ran out of our 400+ flyers. I chose to go because candy-flavored tobacco products are targeting kids and it’s creating an unhealthy environment for children and adults alike. I am proud that the advocacy made a difference. The FDA recently banned the sale of flavored e-cigarettes at retail stores.
On 10/18 BFF Alliance invited Yu Ming Charter School’s 3rd-grade class to volunteer at the food bank. We bagged over 4,000 pounds of pears that serves over 5,100 meals for our community. I felt proud that we helped to fight hunger. We had a fun time! : )
Over the span of three days, September 12th – 14th 2018, the Global Climate Action Summit Event hosted by Governor Jerry Brown took place in San Francisco, California. The Global Climate Action Summit brought leaders and people together from around the world to “Take Ambition to the Next Level.” It was a moment to celebrate the extraordinary achievements of states, regions, cities, companies, investors, and citizens with respect to climate action.
It was also a launch pad for deeper worldwide commitments and accelerated action from countries—supported by all sectors of society—that can put the globe on track to prevent dangerous climate change and realize the historic Paris Agreement.
On the 12th, many affiliate events took place throughout California. I was invited by the Bay Area Air Quality Management District (BAAQMD) as a youth speaker at their United Against GHGs: Diesel Free by ’33 conference in San Francisco. My speech was about the importance of educating the youth and how businesses and communities can help to stop climate change from a youth’s perspective. Steve Kerr, head coach of the Golden State Warriors and Tanya Muller Garcia, Secretary of the Environment from Mexico City were the keynote speakers. I met BAAQMD’s Executive Director, Jack Broadbent, several mayors and elected officials from different cities, and many agency representatives. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaff, CA State Senator Ricardo Lara, and Santa Clara County Supervisor David Cortese were part of a panel that spoke about the progress made in their cities and their continued efforts to fight climate change.
BFF Alliance 