Starter Bags Give Local Shelter Residents a Good Start

When women and children in crisis need it most, USA employees are there to provide them with a few essentials and perhaps a new start.

Led by USA employee Vicki Lilly-Tallman, USA’s Starter Bag Program provides personal items to clients of several crisis shelters, such as The Bridge Over Troubled Waters, the Women’s Resource and Crisis Center (WRCC) of Galveston County, The Star of Hope Family Center, Sarah’s House and the Bay Area Meals on Wheels.

A Starter Bag is filled with some essential items, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, soap, hairbrush and comb – all items that are frequently left behind by those escaping crisis situations.

In addition to the women’s bags, the team also builds children’s bags and babies’ bags, which might include diapers, wipes, baby shampoo, baby bottles, socks, pacifiers and other essentials.

“If we fulfill our bag commitment and have money left over, we ask each shelter for a wish list of expendables,” Lilly-Tallman said. “These might include alarm clocks, hair dryers, etc.”

Lilly-Tallman and her team start collecting coupons and donations in April of each year, and bag delivery is typically in October.

In 2007, the program volunteers received 427 bag sponsorships with USA employees donating $7,160. The sponsorships allowed the team to deliver 346 women’s bags, 123 children’s bags, 100 babies’ bags and 75 Meals on Wheels packages.

“The Bridge and WRCC help break the cycle of abuse and violence,” Lilly-Tallman said. “In 66 percent of homes where the mother is abused, the children are also beaten. Star of Hope provides transitional shelter for women and children who are homeless, and Meals on Wheels provides homebound individuals contact with the outside world. These are just some of the reasons we do what we do.”

The 2008 Starter Bag drive kicked off during National Volunteer Week in April.

To sponsor a bag, employees can visit the Start Bag Web site at http://usa1.unitedspacealliance.com/usahou/orgs/ 6201/62- 20/startbag/startbag.htm for more information.

Any USA employee can volunteer and/or sponsor a bag for $15. Employees can also volunteer to be a focal point for their organization or serve as a member of the packing crew or the delivery team.

Read more from this issue

Go to Previous Company Newsletters

Terms & Conditions
Privacy Statement
Site Map
Home

©2008 United Space Alliance, LLC.
All rights reserved.