We are a mission-driven company that works with American Indian tribes, Alaska Native Corporations, and Native Hawaiian communities all across the country, but many of us also wanted to get involved and get to know our local community better. We started the Travois Volunteer Committee a few months ago to see what we can do to help out in our neighborhood.
Our office is located in an arts district just outside of Kansas City’s downtown core. We have dozens of soup kitchens, homeless shelters and other community organizations within minutes of our office that could always use a helping hand, volunteers or donations.
Each month we will focus on a different area of the community that is in need.
Currently, we’re holding a bedding and mattress drive for Kansas City nonprofit Sleepyhead Beds.The organization provides mattresses, bed frames and bedding to area families in need. To get in the spirit, we wore our pajamas to work recently. I must admit, it was a little tricky to stay awake when I was so comfy!
In November, we plan to “adopt” a local family in need of some support during the holiday season. We will provide gifts for the whole family and food for a holiday meal. In December, we would like to hold a food drive that provides lunches for area youth for local nonprofit Harvesters and volunteer at its facility for a day.
With so many new employees hired at Travois in the past year, the volunteer committee is also a great way to get to know each other beyond just “work.” In the future, we hope to work with local nature conservation organizations, animal shelters and local schools.
Where do you volunteer? What inspires you to get involved?