Chain Reaction Members in Action

Chain Reaction Volunteers help Grandma and Grandpa Got Their Groove Back… Our members had a rockin’ good time with the senior citizens at the Senior Citizens Prom sponsored by Covenant Hospice. Fifteen volunteers showed up to greet, make friends, and have an all out party with the senior citizens. Teens were a big help in ensuring all senior citizens could participate even if they were wheel chair bound. When asked how volunteering for the Senior Citizens Prom changed her view of seniors, Brooke Taylor, a Chain Reaction volunteer had this to say, “I realize that senior citizens can have fun, too. And they really know how to party! Not all older people just sit in wheelchairs and rockers all the time.” Keelea LeJeune, Volunteer Services Manager of Covenant Hospice had this to say about our volunteers, “The Chain Reaction volunteers were very helpful and did a great job. There were over 200 senior citizens at this event! Because of the contributions of the Chain Reaction volunteers and other organizations, this event was a huge, overwhelming success!”

20 Teens Trained and Empowered To Lead and Develop Service Projects… Rachel Rowan along with 19 other selected Chain Reaction members participated in an all day leadership conference with established and potential leaders within Chain Reaction. They learned about different ways of designing new projects using a step-by-step approach, brainstorming to form new ideas within a group, and tips on public speaking so that they can better promote teen volunteerism. Rachel, an outstanding volunteer who serves as a council member, had this to say about the event, “I enjoyed working with my peers, a few of whom I'd never met before, and picked up some useful suggestions for how to build upon leadership skills I've acquired in the past. I plan to use these skills to eventually get some of my own projects going within Chain Reaction with the help of some of my fellow leaders.” Rachel, along with the other participants, now have valuable skills that will last a life time. Rachel is now trained in public speaking. She has assisted in two recruitments, one at Washington High School and another at the Washington High PTA meeting. Through her efforts, we have gained 16 new CR members from Washington High School!

Two Teens Help Solve Hunger In The Community For The Second Year… Every year, hundreds of elderly people all over Pensacola go without a Thanksgiving to share with family or friends. Some can’t even afford to have all the fixings of a great Thanksgiving. Two CR teens, Carissa Burkett, 17, and Mary-Kathryn Brummet, 16, took a stand to change this sad situation by partnering with the Council on Aging and the Junior League. Through numerous events and help from local businesses collecting food, these dedicated members collected over 800 can foods and 300 baking and cooking goods. With the help of the Junior League, our members decorated beautiful baskets and bags to hold the goodies. Carissa, the co-chair of the project, says, “We exceeded our goal of 50 baskets for this year and delivered about 75 baskets to the Council on Aging! There was a tremendous response and we appreciate everyone that helped.“ These Thanksgiving Day favorites were sure to warm the hearts and fill the bellies of needy senior citizens.

6000 Needy Children Helped by Chain Reaction Members “Chain Reaction members “Rocked” with the Cram the Van supply drive! Over 6,000 needy children now have the necessary school tools because of Chain Reaction’s willingness to help their peers succeed” said Tracy James, Center Director of Volunteer Escambia.

CR Members were on hand to assemble collection boxes and showcase their artistic ability by decorating the boxes that were placed in over 30 local businesses and offices in the county. In August, members were also involved with sorting and sacking thousands of the collected supplies distributed to the local schools. Chain Reaction members are taking great strides to build up our community and help those in need.

Teens volunteer at the Supervisors of Elections Office on September 5th. “Volunteering at certain events is a privilege and to be asked to come back is an honor. Supervisor of Elections has used Chain Reaction members as runners during the past two elections. Having the opportunity to see what goes on after the polls close confirms that every vote counts and the importance of being involved in local and state government elections. While volunteering there were opportunities to help in multiple ways whether it was unloading the bags of materials from cars or taking the computerized voting information in to Mr. David Stafford, everything that we are asked to do was important and essential to make things run smoothly. During this election, there was a completely different level of excitement because so many people want to know who won or what passed. We are thrilled at the thought of being able to help again in November” Carissa Burkett Chain Reaction President.

Chain Reaction member forms the first teen Opera Board…… the Operazzi The Opreazzi was formed to give teens the opportunity to play a vital role in the Pensacola Opera. Wayne Dell graduated from a Pensacola’s Promise leadership training in the summer of 2005 and was asked to join the Opera’s Board of Directors. Pensacola’s Promise and the Opera worked together to ensue Wayne could contribute as a board member and the idea for the Operazzi was born. With help from the Opera staff, Wayne is responsible for running the teen board, designing the program and recruiting teen members through Chain Reaction.

The program was kicked off on September 10th by hosting a ice cream social at Wayne’s house that was attended by over 20 teens! Tim Kennedy, Director of Education and Community Outreach for the Pensacola Opera commented on the first event. “The teens had a lot of energy, and we all had fun! We wouldn’t be able to do this without them so we are very glad that Pensacola's Promise [Chain Reaction] can help out!”