Finding Special Ways to Volunteer
Serving our communities during National Volunteer Week in a COVID-19 environment felt more necessary and relevant than ever. As communities are working through new demands and needs, Pace’s mission to Serve and Improve Lives Through Logistics speaks volumes. The health and safety precautions necessary during COVID-19 presented us with unique challenges for serving; however, we also discovered special opportunities to give back during this critical time. The Pace Team served both in-person and at-home, meeting the new demands of COVID-19.
First Light Shelter Birmingham
First Light Shelter is a center for homeless women and children in downtown Birmingham, AL. First Light is the only emergency shelter accepting homeless women and families 24/7 in the area. The Pace Foundation has partnered with First Light for several years. During COVID-19, the shelter has increased the number of meals served to three per day. This exceeds what they had previously budgeted for in 2020. Last week, members of the Pace Team had the opportunity to serve lunch to the women and children in the shelter. It was an awesome day full of smiles, fun, and full bellies. We are so grateful to provide service in-person to an organization that is near and dear to our hearts.
First Light’s mission is to create hospitality in a safe and nurturing community. First light encourages the women and children who come through their doors to maintain dignity, to find hope, to seek opportunity, and to grow spiritually, thereby achieving their full potential.
Due to the challenges presented by COVID-19, First Light cancelled their annual fundraising gala. Homeless women and families continue to depend on First Light, and their need for support is now greater than ever. The Pace Foundation made a monetary donation in lieu of sponsoring the cancelled event. If you would like to support First Light and make a gift, please click here.
Special Equestrians
Special Equestrians provides high quality therapeutic horseback riding as well as equine assisted activities to persons with physical, mental, developmental, and emotional disabilities. They have recently suspended their classes and postponed their 2020 Boots and Black Tie Gala to May 30th. This gala is their largest fundraiser of the year, and Pace is proud to be a Matching Sponsor. If you would like to learn more about the Boots and Black Tie Gala, please click here.
Mask-Making at Home
Pace Teammates have been busy at home with their family members making no sew masks to support our local communities. Kits were mailed to interested families with return mailing instructions, and distribution is coordinated through our corporate office.
Overall, this National Volunteer Week looked a little different to us than it has in years past. Across the world, individuals, businesses, and organizations are adapting to make the best of unprecedented times. We are grateful for the opportunities we have to help meet the needs across the markets Pace serves.
