In the third part of the series on community outreach, Blogger Gina Six Kudo takes a closer look at the Marine Toys for Tots program and how self-storage managers and owners can be more than just a collection site.

Amy Campbell, Senior Editor

October 5, 2009

4 Min Read
Community Outreach: How-To, Part Three

In our quest to reach out to our community and help this holiday season, we’ve now reached the point of no return. You picked your charity to work with and you made contact. You decided you could do a bit more than just donate a unit and you volunteered your time.

I’m going to wager a bet that you're now hooked. You did a few errands, made some phone calls or put together items for a family in need. While that was all fun, you were left wanting more. Bam! Before you know it, you are now a full-fledged volunteer! You’ve hit the boss up already for a few extra dollars to feed a family or to use the copier to run off a couple hundred fliers. Yes, you caught the volunteerism bug and it’s a wonderful thing.

If you happen to be one of the strong-willed ones, you probably managed to get by with a few hours of time donated, some PR for your company and your obligation is done for the year. Bravo if you can pull that off.  However, if you’re like the vast majority of people in the non-profit world, you want more. You’re dancing around trying to determine what else you can do, or how you can do more.

The biggest part of any holiday-giving program is getting the items to the recipients. Once you get this close and see all of your efforts come to fruition, there’s no going back. You are somehow finding the “spare time” to do more.  All the effort always leads to the big day for any organization, be it a prom for mentally-challenged youth, food baskets for families in need, a literacy program or other worthwhile efforts.

The one project promoted by many industry speakers is to be a donation location for the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation during the holiday season. I’ve seen firsthand the difference this effort makes for the recipient children and their families, the volunteers, and the impact it has on the U.S. Marines who have seen too much horror for their young years. To see a smile from a child light up the face of a war-hardened Marine is such a blessing, and volunteers who help make this happen are truly a gift to a community.

To use the Toys for Tots organization as an example, let me advise you on some ways to really make a difference and not just be another “Johnny-come-lately” jumping onto the PR bandwagon. Putting out a barrel is great, and the more community involvement, the brighter the holidays are for the children. However, there are ways to be more than just a barrel site. 

Consider using some of your resources to advertise a special move-in rate for each new, unwrapped toy donated valued at $10 or more. One of our local hotels, which is always at full capacity, runs this type of promo each year just to support the program. Give existing customers a two-for-one deal—they donate a $10 toy, you deduct $20 from their December rent.

Or get really involved, call the local Marine compound and volunteer yourself, a unit for collecting toys or your moving truck. Each year, the Marines scramble for a truck or two to collect the barrels and distribute the toys. A donated truck is invaluable to the program. 

With resources the way they are, there are too few Marines to carry out the mission in most communities. Your time and effort to help collect, sort and distribute the toys would be welcomed by the captain or first sergeant at your local compound. Please don’t phone them and say, “I have toys, come get them,” especially if you have less than a dozen items. We see this time and time again, and while each and every toy does make a difference to a child, the logistics involved necessitate prudence in time management for the Corps.

Step up and do what you can for Toys for Tots or the charity of your choice. Don’t just be a “me too.” Instead, make a true difference. We have volunteered with Toys for Tots and other non-profits for more than 12 years now. We do it because we care, and the side benefit is true community outreach and appreciation from your community.

We all know that without our surrounding community’s support, we can have the greatest property features, but if there are no customers, it’s all for naught. Also, take your camera and get a few shots showing you and your team in action for your memories. You’ll be glad you did.

Share your volunteer stories with the Self-Storage Talk community.
  
 

About the Author(s)

Amy Campbell

Senior Editor, Inside Self Storage

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