The Red Bag Packing Event
The Red Chair Project thrives on community involvement.
One of the cool aspects of seeing this project grow is the excitement from others who want to get involved. Showing up in the community can look different to each person, and we wanted to explore this idea of creating an event that gave a variety of ways to get involved. We all have the ability to give, and it is not limited to money or items!
21st Century Bank
At the beginning of October we hosted our first Red Bag packing event. Our end goal was to pack 150 red bags, and send those bags out with the people who attended the event. The intention behind this was to create a ripple effect beyond our own Northeast community, and help others have the tools and encouragement to connect with people who are asking for help.
On October 5th, we invited people come into our Steller Connect space and pack red bags to hand out to people in their own community. Leading up to the event, we shared a variety of ways to get involved, even if you weren’t able to show up!
Want to donate financially? We have a Gofundme!
Want to choose specific items to donate? We have an Amazon Wishlist!
Want to make it personal? Drop off notes, handmade goods, etc. to Steller Hair!
Want to get hands on? Show up to the event, hang out, and pack bags!
Want to connect? Keep the red bags in your car, and use them to show kindness, support and value to the people you drive by!
How do you authentically show up?
This event was a huge success - over 200 red bags were packed! The amount of support this project received from people who sent in donations was truly overwhelming. Our backroom was piled high with homemade hats, mittens, hand warmers, toiletries, socks, snacks, and other essentials. Going in to the day we knew we had two goals; to interact with the wonderful people who came to pack bags, and to encourage them to leave the space with bags to spread the red (aka kindness, respect, value, connection, etc).
The day started out with a dozen bagels courtesy of St Paul Bagelry, and the ever-so-generous 21st Century Bank, and a few dozen donuts made by Heights Bakery. The night before, we spent hours organizing the hundreds of donated items! We had a variety of stations, to help the volunteers have access to all the goods. We had tables full of snacks/beverages, warm weather gear, toiletries, kid’s items, and a note writing station. Volunteers came and packed the bags with whatever they seemed fit! It was also important for us to have this event be exciting to kid’s and young adults, and hopefully encouraging an awareness and ability to show up for others in their school and neighborhood community.
We love how many people showed up and came out to our event. The weather may have been rainy but the tone in the room was far from gloomy. We loved being able to connect with people who were giving their time, energy and kindness to show up for others.
Would you like to attend our next community event?
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Would you like to get involved by donating to The Red Chair Project ventures?
We are excited to announce that we now have 501(c)(3) status through fiscal sponsorship by Propel Nonprofits! Click here to make a tax deductible donation.
We also have a Gofundme! Click here to check it out!