July Team of the Month: Central Ohio United Non-Theists

Congratulations to Beyond Belief Network’s July Team of the Month: Central Ohio United Non-Theists (COUNT)! This Level 3 team is based in Columbus, OH. COUNT was chosen for this honor because of their regular service event schedule and strong spirit of volunteerism.

Each month, members of COUNT volunteer at two organizations in their city: Community Shelter Board and Ronald McDonald House. Community Shelter Board provides housing and meals to homeless families and individual men and women in Central Ohio. Volunteers serve dinner, wash dishes, mop floors and clean tables. Ronald McDonald House provides housing and meals to families with children being treated at area hospitals. COUNT members volunteer as Housewarmers who work with guests to provide a home-like environment. Among their duties, they greet guests, assist with family needs, answer phones, give tours, assist with check in/checkout, prepare guest rooms after checkout, clean the facility, do laundry, restock supplies and staff the front desk.

During Week of Action, nine COUNT volunteers joined the Friends of the Lower Olentangy Watershed (FLOW) for Earth Day Tree Planting. The team reports that the volunteers had lots of fun and planted 2,800 trees in an area near the Ohio School for the Deaf.

In June, thirteen COUNT volunteers participated at the Columbus Coalition of Reason (CoR) booth at the Columbus Community Festival (COMFEST). An online Kickstarter effort and collections gathered at COUNT and other Columbus CoR group meetings raised more than sufficient funds to pay expenses (~$250). Columbus CoR Coordinator and COUNT member, Avery Winston, led the overall effort including fundraising, recruiting/scheduling volunteers and purchasing leaflets and sides for the canopy. COUNT members planned the booth and produced signage. COUNT member Dan Hronek loaned them tables. 90 attendees signed up on an e-mail list to receive more information about COUNT and other Columbus CoR groups

Beyond Belief Network is proud to support Central Ohio United Non-Theists and wishes them continued success in their endeavors.

Team of the Month recognition is a benefit provided by Foundation Beyond Belief to our Beyond Belief Network teams. In order to be considered, your group must be a Level One Beyond Belief Network team and you must submit at least one event report during the month. Team of the Month selection is based on the number, length, variety, and documentation (e.g., submitted pictures, blog posts, videos, etc.) of events.

Teams can only be Team of the Month once per calendar year. If your local group does great service work, but isn’t a member of BBN, you can join anytime! In addition to recognition, your team can qualify for free t-shirts and grants. If your local humanist group doesn’t volunteer, but you’d like to start, we’d love to help! For teams new to secular service, we offer tons of ideas, event guides, and advice.