University of North Dakota Energy & Environmental Research Center staff recently held a donation drive to benefit Northlands Rescue Mission. The Mission’s new director, Sue Shirek, accepted the donation on May 12 during a visit to the EERC.
People of ten ask me if their small contributions can make much of a difference. The answer is – absolutely. It may not seem like it when you’re donating a few cans of food, but you can see those individual donations add up to a lot to benefit the community.
Sue Shirek, Northlands Rescue Mission Director
The effort was spearheaded by the EERC’s Social Cause committee, which is a group of employees that volunteer within the community. The committee selects a charity each year and raises money, donates goods, or volunteers their time at that organization. This year’s work at the Northlands Rescue Mission includes assembling meals for the Backpack Program, sorting food and clothing donations, or working in the Mission’s store, where residents can get personal care and other items.
“It is amazing to work at a place with people that have this much generosity,” says Amanda Livers, EERC Research Scientist in Geophysics and Social Cause committee chairperson.
The supply drive for the Mission was supported by a fun competition among teams of EERC staff. Over the course of the eight day competition, over $10,000 worth of necessities were collected. Last year, the committee raised over $5,400 for the Altru Health Foundation through their Spin for Kids fundraiser, which was the second-largest amount raised by a team in 2016.