Researchers volunteer during MREF’s Month of Service
The Marketing Research Education Foundation’s Month of Service
The Marketing Research Education Foundation (MREF) hosted its inaugural Month of Service throughout the month of January 2023. The MREF aims to unify, inspire and activate the marketing research and insights community to focus its collective resources to educate children and youth worldwide. For the Month of Service, the MREF encouraged researchers to volunteer at local nonprofit organizations or host a volunteering group with colleagues, friends and family.
Quirk’s volunteers at the Kids in Need Foundation
Quirk’s Media hosted a volunteering session at the Kids in Need Foundation (KINF) for staff and local researchers in Roseville, Minn., on January 17. KINF is a nonprofit organization that helps children and teachers in under-sourced schools. They have impacted over 7.8 million students, 316,900 teachers and have distributed over $162 million in free supplies and resources nationwide.
Volunteers helped pack boxes for KINF’s Supply A Teacher program. Teachers who qualify for the program receive two large boxes filled with the necessary supplies for a successful semester. During the session, each volunteer was assigned a role to work as efficiently as possible. Whether unpacking supplies, breaking down boxes, filling them with the correct materials or taping them shut and placing them on the pallet, each member played an important part. Every box is filled with pencils, pencil pouches, folders, markers, highlighters, pens and more.
After the service day session, volunteers toured the Teacher Resource Center. The center has a store-like setup where teachers can choose what school supplies, decorations or projects they need for the year. It offers educators items for themselves, their students and classrooms at zero cost.
ScaleHouse volunteers at the Teacher Resource Center
ScaleHouse hosted a volunteering session at World Vision’s Teacher Resource Center in Bronx, N.Y., on January 26. World Vision is a child-focused private charity that works with families, children and communities to target the causes of poverty and injustice.
Volunteers who spend time at the World Vision Storehouse site help sort donated items, stock shelves or help organize the facility. Items that are donated are distributed to Title 1 schoolteachers and local nonprofit organizations. The ScaleHouse service group volunteered to pack, sort and stock essential items to make a positive impact in the community.
FUEL and The Focus Room donates to Baal Dan Charities, Nashi and the Orphans’ Aid Society
FUEL and The Focus Room tied their Stronger Together Step Challenge with the Month of Service to raise money for three charities. Participants walked over 2 million steps, raising a total of $2,250, donating $750 to each charity.
Baal Dan is a 501c3 public charity that aims to help vulnerable children in developing countries. It provides grants to schools, care facilities, grassroots organizations and orphanages. It has helped over 10,000 children in 12 developing countries, including vulnerable children who have been displaced by the war in Ukraine.
The Orphans’ Aid Society is a nonprofit organization helping children in Ukraine. It offers activities and programs to provide items and support to orphans and half orphan children. It also aims to provide financial assistance to guardians and relatives of orphaned children.
NASHI is a volunteer-based nonprofit targeting local and global human trafficking. It aims to educate people through forums and workshops and runs The Maple Leaf House, a safe house for young girls at risk in Ukraine. The Maple Leaf House has space for 20 girls and has a kitchen, laundry facilities, classrooms and more.
Ipsos volunteers for Lighthouse Youth and Family Services
Ipsos hosted a service day session for Lighthouse Youth and Family Services, a nonprofit organization in Cincinnati. Lighthouse Youth and Family Services aims to empower young people and families by promoting healing and growth.
Lighthouse Youth and Family Services offer long- and short-term volunteering opportunities. It hosts donation drives to collect items for children, young adults and families including school supplies, baby items, bottled water and more. The Street Outreach team takes services to struggling individuals, connecting them with supplies and resources instead of waiting to be approached. The team distributes needed items like food, hygiene supplies and harm reduction supplies. Along with these opportunities, volunteers can also cook meals for the Lighthouse Sheakley Center for Youth and the Mecum House, which are homeless shelters for children and young adults.
Ipsos offered its staff members different participation opportunities. They could donate an item from a list provided by Lighthouse Youth and Family Services, which included clothes, food/snacks, home items and more. If staff was available on the service day, they could help bring in the donated supplies and pack them. If participants preferred, they could also make a financial contribution to the nonprofit.
Making a positive impact
Regardless of whether individuals participated by donating items, volunteering their time or financially supporting nonprofit organizations, they all came together to make a positive impact on their communities.
