In March and April of this year, our SW chapters continued to support their communities one charitable event at a time!
Yorktown:
During March, Stroller Warriors Yorktown supported the Peninsula Food Bank (Hampton Roads Food Bank). Over the past two years, there has been an increase in the number of people that rely on food banks, such as the Peninsula Food Bank— specifically, nonperishable food items were needed. As part of the community, Stroller Warriors Yorktown organized a nonperishable food collection drive to ensure that their neighbors had food during this continued time of difficulty. Workout leaders collected nonperishable items at workouts throughout the month to accomplish this important task.
To learn more about the Peninsula Food Bank (Hampton Roads Food Bank), visit their website at https://hrfoodbank.org/
In March and April, Stroller Warriors Virginia Beach organized a donation drive for Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge-- whose focus is on rehabilitating animals for release back into the wild. Animals go to a wildlife rehabilitator for many different reasons; sometimes it is due to a natural cause (like a cold snap causing an animal to be disoriented), and sometimes it's related to the actions of people (like a turtle needing medical attention after being ran over by a lawnmower). With the warmer weather comes baby animals; this tends to be a busy time for wildlife refuges with an influx of patients.
An ongoing Amazon wish-list for the organization was shared within this chapter so members could make donations directly.
To support Evelyn’s Wildlife Refuge, please view their Amazon wish list: (https://www.amazon.com/.../evelyns-wildlife.../2CCFCHJD9TFSS)
Quantico:
In April, members of Stroller Warriors Quantico supported Autism Awareness month.
April aims to celebrate and promote acceptance for this condition that occurs in one of every 54 children (this is current as of 2020 for the United States). With the autism diagnosis rate quickly increasing, members of Stroller Warriors Quantico used the month to celebrate the differences, learn more about, and empower those with autism. Stroller Warriors Quantico dedicated their miles by using the hashtag #CelebrateDifferences, thereby donating or creating a fundraiser on personal social media pages, and by providing donation options via Amazon Smile to the Autism Society of America.
Also in April, members of Stroller Warriors Quantico organized a community clean-up on base. This was a meaningful opportunity to teach their mini warriors about the importance of keeping the earth clean and the 3 R’s (reduce, reuse, recycle).
Cherry Point:
On 26 April 2022, Stroller Warriors Cherry Point started to collect new superhero toys and action figures for Project Superhero.
Project Superhero is a local organization that brings joy to kids in children’s hospitals throughout coastal North Carolina. Dedicated volunteers working with Project Superhero drove for hours to dress as superheroes and hand out superhero toys and action figures to sick and injured children.
You can support and learn more about project Superhero by visiting their website:
https://www.projectsuperhero.org/?fbclid=IwAR19wBrIC6dpy9g1CrzLuahBZzCjm5CrclkOGhwk53oYVnFERr0LFJG0hbg
Pensacola:
In March, Stroller Warriors Pensacola organized a donation drive for the Salvation Army of Pensacola, which serves both Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties. The food pantry at the Salvation Army offers meals, snacks and other essential items for homeless and low-income community neighbors. Unfortunately, demand in the area is currently very high, and the Salvation Army is having a difficult time keeping its pantry stocked
The chapter collected items throughout the entire month at SW events and arranged to pick-up items if members could not attend workouts.
Stroller Warriors Kaneohe Bay organized an event to support Residential Youth Services and Empowerment (RYSE)-- a local organization that provides a 24/7 access center as part of the Kawailoa Youth and Family Wellness Center in Kailua, where disenfranchised youth are able to sleep safely at night under professional supervision. In addition, they receive: skilled medical attention, hot nutritious meals, clean clothes, laundry facilities, hot showers, personal lockers, counseling, job training and employment assistance, GED education, and nurturing by qualified, professional staff. Learn more by visiting: https://www.rysehawaii.org/
From April 1 to April 13, the chapter collected printer paper reams and ink pens, as many of the youth are studying for their GED and working on resumes.
Additionally, on April 25, chapter members gathered for an Earth Day clean-up at Fort Hase beach— keeping the area clean for all to enjoy!