Flood victims line up in hopes of receiving aid.
Shortly after the disastrous floods hit Pakistan this summer, a youth-initiative in the GTA arose. The Pakistani community of Oakville and Mississauga and the Zafar Sultan Memorial Trust foundation collaborated and put together an aid drive for the needy and suffering brothers and sisters in Pakistan. Through advertisements on the local radio, local newspapers and through social networking sites like Facebook, the aid drive managed to run eight consecutive weekends.
With the help of donors, volunteers and organizers, over 7000 boxes of food, medicine, essential supplies and infant care items were sent to the flood ravaged areas of Pakistan. This was an excellent initiative which provided a trustworthy place where donations were accepted, and with the help of PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) the items were shipped free of charge to Pakistan.
Over a period of eight weeks, well over a million items were donated. Items donated included water, rice, lentils, juices, powdered milk, cookies, granola bars, soap, candles and medicine. All items were collected and sorted as donations were flowing in. Following the categorization of donated items, family packs were made and boxes were filled accordingly.
Volunteering at this worthy cause made me realize how much difference a few people could make. Through advertisements and word of mouth, over 500 volunteers showed up over a period of eight weeks at a warehouse which was used to store, sort and package the goods that needed to be shipped over. Volunteer duties ranged from collecting donations, sorting, packaging, making boxes, labeling and organizing. Everyone played their part and in the end over 7000 boxes were shipped. This aid drive helped solve the problem of those hesitant to donate cash as they feared their donations would be eaten up by the government and not reach those who are deserving. The Brampton/Mississauga drop off location was open on weekends while volunteers worked to make packages. When there was an overflow of items, volunteers would get together during the week to pack items so they could be shipped out as soon as possible.
All in all, an excellent joint effort of volunteers, organizers and donors led to 7000 family packs being sent to Pakistan. This means approximately 20,000 needy individuals were fed and provided supplies. This shows that the work of a few can go a long way and should motivate us to take part in such activities in the future.
With the help of donors, volunteers and organizers, over 7000 boxes of food, medicine, essential supplies and infant care items were sent to the flood ravaged areas of Pakistan. This was an excellent initiative which provided a trustworthy place where donations were accepted, and with the help of PIA (Pakistan International Airlines) the items were shipped free of charge to Pakistan.
Over a period of eight weeks, well over a million items were donated. Items donated included water, rice, lentils, juices, powdered milk, cookies, granola bars, soap, candles and medicine. All items were collected and sorted as donations were flowing in. Following the categorization of donated items, family packs were made and boxes were filled accordingly.
Volunteering at this worthy cause made me realize how much difference a few people could make. Through advertisements and word of mouth, over 500 volunteers showed up over a period of eight weeks at a warehouse which was used to store, sort and package the goods that needed to be shipped over. Volunteer duties ranged from collecting donations, sorting, packaging, making boxes, labeling and organizing. Everyone played their part and in the end over 7000 boxes were shipped. This aid drive helped solve the problem of those hesitant to donate cash as they feared their donations would be eaten up by the government and not reach those who are deserving. The Brampton/Mississauga drop off location was open on weekends while volunteers worked to make packages. When there was an overflow of items, volunteers would get together during the week to pack items so they could be shipped out as soon as possible.
All in all, an excellent joint effort of volunteers, organizers and donors led to 7000 family packs being sent to Pakistan. This means approximately 20,000 needy individuals were fed and provided supplies. This shows that the work of a few can go a long way and should motivate us to take part in such activities in the future.
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