A busy summer for Beyond Belief Network teams

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Foundation Beyond Belief’s Beyond Belief Network is a network of secular humanist groups interested in volunteering (Volunteers Beyond Belief) and raising money for FBB and our beneficiaries (Foundation Partners Program). BBN teams were busy this June, putting their compassionate humanism to work and showing how good we can be without god.

The New Orleans Secular Humanist Association had two very successful events in June, first assisting with a historic preservation project called Save Our Cemeteries, which preserves and protects the historic cemeteries of New Orleans, and fosters a public appreciation for their historical, cultural, and architectural value. NOSHA volunteers cut back palm trees, removed invasive ferns from fragile tombs, and cleared broken marble fragments from the Odd Fellows Rest Cemetery.

New Orleans Secular Humanist Association
 

In addition, NOSHA held a food drive at their annual Summer Solstice Picnic. By the end of the day more than 85 pounds of food had been donated to the local food bank!

Following the tragedies of the tornados in May that ravaged Moore, OK, and many surrounding areas, humanists across the country are still showing their drive to give back and help those in need. The organizers of FreeOK, an annual freethought convention held in Oklahoma City, decided to hold a literacy drive to collect books for the affected schools. They gathered 318 books! In addition, the Coweta County Atheists were busy collecting donations of items needed in the devastated areas.

The members of Siouxland Freethinkers have spent the past 2-1/2 months raising funds for Autism Speaks. They cumulatively raised $6,000 for autism research and advocacy. For their efforts, they were awarded by Autism Speaks in two categories: for being South Dakota’s top fundraising team this year, AND for having the top fundraising individual in the state. Congratulations to the Siouxland Freethinkers for their efforts! Siouxland FreeThinkers also took part in their bi-annual highway cleanup, helping to keep a stretch of highway pristine.

Siouxland Freethinkers

The Humanists of Rhode Island continued their tradition of supporting LGBTQ rights by hosting a table at RI Pride, an illuminated nighttime parade, at which they distributed freethought literature from AHA, SSA, and FFRF. They also distributed condoms provided by Planned Parenthood.

Humanists of Rhode Island

The Humanists of Houston also took part in a walk and prayer vigil following a tragic murder in Providence, RI. They attended in solidarity with those who wish to take a stand against senseless violence in our communities—as nonbelievers, but part of the community.

Member of a secular humanist group? Want to help your community, raise awareness of nonbelievers doing good, and connect with other service-oriented groups? Ask your team to join Beyond Belief Network! BBN staff can help you achieve your service goals and, as you submit event reports, your team will qualify for free t-shirts and the opportunity to apply for grants!