Value of TW Volunteer Experience

   More than 12 thousand volunteers came to Trusted World last year, helping to put $2.4 million of resources into the community, directly impacting nearly 30 thousand North Texans. 

   Thanks to organizations like Deloitte and other committed corporations, Trusted World will surpass those numbers this year. Deloitte recently brought out two large groups to volunteer; one in the morning, the other in the afternoon. 

   A couple of Deloitte’s first-timers found the Trusted World volunteer experience profound.     

   Volunteer, Jack Schlosser says, “Trusted World is, it looks to be combining technology with their mission, and that’s inspiring. And it’s made me eager to volunteer here.” Schlosser says Trusted World’s mission of situational poverty resonates with him, “I’ve never volunteered for a similar place, you know, I just thought I was actually doing something incredibly useful. I knew that the goods that I was putting in these boxes was going to somebody in need.”

   As the son of two high school counselors, Schlosser has a unique perspective. “They’ve definitely, you know, let me know, situations that they have faced at work, right, where they feel powerless as individuals, and not always does the district have the sort of resources and the logistics to run something like Trusted World runs.”

  He says providing quality resources on demand -and at no cost to those who are among the first to see signs of situational poverty is powerful. “The counselors still want to impact these kids’ lives, and so, I think that just knowing about something like is life-changing for them and changes the impact of their job and allows them to reach further than they otherwise would have. So really, Trusted World is like an accelerator,” says Schlosser. 

   So moved by the volunteer experience, Schlosser volunteered for the morning and afternoon sorting sessions, saying, “I thought of my friend that just got out of prison. I thought of my dad, who has told me stories of kids who needed things. I thought about that impact, and it made me want to return.”

   “What resonated with me is helping people help people.” Deloitte volunteer Gail O’Bannon says supporting Trusted World’s mission is a lot like the cycle of life. She says, “someone laid a foundation for me to get here. So I can turn around and do the same for someone else. I’ve been on every line, receiving, giving; I’ve been full circle, so I feel very proud to do this.”

  O’bannon and her colleagues are sorting shoes, as she explains, “I love shoes and the fact that most women feel very confident when they can put on an outfit, and they put the shoes on that match; it makes them feel powerful.” 

   The Trusted World volunteer experience, she says, is rewarding and self-empowering, “knowing that I can help someone to build that confidence and that trust in themselves? I’ll do whatever it takes. Knowing that I helped contribute to someone else being successful? It makes your heart do a double beat!”

   In wrapping up shifts, Deloitte volunteers collectively shout Trusted World’s motto, “Helping people help people!”

 Make a Difference

   If you’d like to put a little purpose in your life and help make a difference, you can go to TrustedWorld.org, click on volunteer experiences, and sign up. If you’d like to help make a difference another way, you can go to the same website, and under the ways to give link, you can click on needs to find food and clothing items the Network most needs. For clothing donations, one of our key sponsors, the Credit Union of Texas, has donation dropoff bins in every one of their North Texas branches. Next to the bin is a banner with a QR code if you want to donate money.

    You’ll find a complete list of dropoff bin locations on the Trusted World website. 

New Sponsorship Opportunities

   Trusted World is looking for sponsors to help cover the cost of new socks, undergarments, food, and personal care items. The sponsorships range from one to four thousand dollars a month. You can select a sponsorship timeframe ranging from one to 12 months. In return, you, or your organization, will be listed as the sponsor for the specific period you select. You’ll also receive recognition on social media, in the monthly newsletter, and right here, weekly on TNN.

   You can find all these sponsoring opportunities on the Trusted World website under the ways to give link, then click on sponsoring opportunities.

   That wraps up the headlines from around the Trusted World Network, where you can join us in helping people help people.