Tag: service committee

LLNE Service Project – Ukraine

If you are looking for ways to support the people of Ukraine, the LLNE Service Committee has compiled a few resources for your consideration.  Listed are several local/US organizations that are taking donations to provide food, shelter, and medical supplies. 

A member brought to our attention Olena Gnes, who was our online tour guide during LLNE’s FUNtivities in July 2021.  She gave us an amazing virtual tour of the Chernobyl Exclusion Zone.  Olena is currently living in a bomb shelter with her three children in Kiev.  She posts daily updates on her YouTube channel, What is Ukraine.  If you would like to donate directly to Olena and her family, please consider purchasing a tour through her Airbnb site.

Airbnb users can book stays or tours in Ukraine that they don’t plan to check into as part of an effort to donate directly to people in Ukraine. The campaign (“Pay don’t stay”) allows Ukrainian Airbnb hosts to receive direct support from those looking to help.

Olena’s page: https://www.airbnb.ae/experiences/1930416

This RI organization started by Brown University professors is raising money to send medical supplies to the Ukraine.  For more information, visit https://www.abc6.com/30k-and-counting-raised-for-ukrainians-by-rhode-island-professors/

 Sunflower of Peace Foundation is a Boston, USA-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.  They are currently raising money to acquire and distribute first-aid backpacks, medicine, medical instruments to medical personnel in the Ukraine.

World Central Kitchen is distributing meals in Poland to Ukrainians fleeing the country. The organization, founded by chef José Andrés, is seeking donations to provide remote support to Ukrainian restaurants continuing to serve meals for people in need.

Please consider giving to Olena’s family or one of these organizations. 

The Service Committee

Service Project Wrap-Up: South Coast Fair Housing

The Service Committee would like to thank everyone who attended LLNE Trivia Night 2021.  The event was hosted by trivia master Thomas Todd (also known as Ttodd) and 34 librarians, friends, and family participated.  It was a great night of pop culture and general knowledge trivia, culminating in a tie breaker show down between Cardoza and UConn.  The winning team was Cardz Against Humanity, the team from Cardoza Law Library.  Congratulations to Christine George, Richard Kim, Ingrid Mattson, Anu Pal, and Olivia Smith!!  The winners will receive e-gift cards to Frugal Bookstore, a fantastic black-owned bookstore located in the Roxbury neighborhood of Boston.

The event was to raise money for SouthCoast Fair Housing in New Bedford, MA.  SouthCoast Fair Housing is “dedicated to eliminating housing discrimination, ensuring equal housing opportunities, and developing inclusive communities throughout Rhode Island and southeastern Massachusetts.”  They do this through education, community outreach, advocacy, investigation, and legal representation. 

If you haven’t donated, there is still time.  Just go to https://bit.ly/3Ep9VGO and donate any amount today. 

Also, a big thanks to Lexis for sponsoring trivia night. 

If you are interested in joining the Service Committee or have an idea for our next project, please reach out to co-chairs Jessica Almeida and Kaitlin Connolly.

Service Committee Spring 2021 Project Wrap-Up

This Spring, the committee organized three projects to coincide with the LLNE FUNtivities and Spring Virtual Meeting. 

NEADS Prison Pups posing for a picture.

Our first project was raising money for NEADS Prison Pup Program.  NEADS is an organization that provides service dogs to veterans, people with physical disabilities, individuals with autism, and even assistance dogs that work in hospitals and courthouses.  90-95% of NEADS puppies are trained in correctional institutions in New England through their Prison Pup Program.  Through the generosity of our members, we have raised over $1,300.  If you would like to give to this wonderful organization, please visit  https://support.neads.org/llne.

Child posing with a card made for Meals on Wheels.

Our second project was creating cards and decorated lunch bags for Meals on Wheels locations throughout New England.  The committee is happy to report that members have pledged to create over 300 cards and bags.  Please remember to take a photo of your creations and use the #LLNEFuntivities on Twitter.  The sign-up form is now closed, but if you are interested in contributing to this project, please email Jessica at jessica.almeida@umassd.edu. 

Coded Bias Activist Toolkit poster.

Our last project highlighted an informational resource to compliment the Coded Bias screening and panel on Friday, June 11th.  The committee showcased the filmmaker’s activist toolkit, containing ways to get involved in the algorithmic justice movement.  The committee is encouraging members to sign the Universal Declaration of Data Rights as Human Rights, which was developed by the Coded Bias team, if you are interested in further supporting this cause. Upon signature, your name and zip code are sent to US elected officials.  For more information, go to https://llne.org/interested-in-algorithmic-justice-here-are-ways-llne-members-can-help/.

If you are interested in joining the Service Committee or have an idea for a project, please contact Jessica Almeida at jessica.almeida@umassd.edu.

Interested in algorithmic justice? Here are ways LLNE members can help!

Don’t forget to register for the June 11th (this Friday!) screening and discussion of the acclaimed documentary Coded Bias. The event starts at 7pm EST: tinyurl.com/xr5dm9wf. The filmmaker, Shalini Kantayya, has also compiled an activist toolkit for those interested in becoming advocates for “algorithmic justice.” If any LLNE members would like to get involved, page 24 of the toolkit lists recommended organizations to which you can subscribe and make donations.

Another way to get involved is by signing the Universal Declaration of Data Rights as Human Rights, which was developed by the Coded Bias team. Upon signature, your name and zip code are sent to US elected officials. The committee is encouraging members to sign the declaration if they are interested in further supporting this cause.

We hope to see you on Friday!

LLNE Service Committee