Bombas Creates Fond Memories through Volunteering
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Volunteers are needed throughout S:US’ programs to help meet the diverse needs of the thousands of New Yorkers we support every year. People volunteer with S:US to wrap presents for our Holiday Gift Project, teach participants how to apply for a job, lead yoga classes, work in the gardens with Urban Farms, and more. All these things are essential to helping individuals served by S:US lead full and enriched lives.
For Volunteer Appreciation Month, we spoke with Melina Morris, Bombas’ Senior Giving Manager. Melina has worked at Bombas for five years and likes working with people to make the world a better place. “On the giving team, we work with the best kind of people, we help the helpers. ‘Bee Better’ is the company motto and is stitched on our socks,” said Melina.
Bombas employees volunteer regularly with S:US. Their teams have helped our supportive housing residents by painting several murals, building garden boxes, volunteering at a luncheon for veterans, and donating thousands of pairs of socks.
Bombas volunteers build garden boxes at one of our supportive housing residences.
“Every time we volunteer with S:US, it’s an unforgettable moment and we fondly remember those memories. Whether it’s working in the urban farms or painting a mural on the wall, our experiences with S:US is something that our team treasures,” said Melina. “The mural project was a special experience. We worked with artist Louie Blaka to memorialize individuals who used to live at a group home for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities who passed during the pandemic. We incorporated designs into the mural, such as flowers, leaves, branches, and butterflies, and we added their names to the mural.”
Bombas volunteers paint a mural at one of our group homes for people with intellectual/developmental disabilities.
From the beginning, Bombas has aimed to help those facing housing insecurity. The company’s founders created Bombas when they learned that the number one item needed in homeless shelters was socks. They created their company model so that for every item people purchase, they donate an item.
“We love how broadly S:US’ reach is across the city–practically in every borough. Our relationship has evolved over the years. One year it might be a veterans’ event, then a mural, or gardening. We love being able to serve your evolving needs,” said Melina. “Volunteering keeps us grounded literally and figuratively. We connect with our partners in real-time. We especially love to be a good New York neighbor and be there and learn about what’s going on.”
Over the past 10 years, Bombas has donated more than 100 million socks, t-shirts, and underwear through their 3,500 Giving Partners across the country.
We appreciate the Bombas team and all our volunteers!
For more information on how you can volunteer at S:US, please visit our Volunteer page or contact [email protected].