Sharing Holiday Joy with IW Board Member Bobbi Montoya
Earlier this month, IW Board Member Bobbi Montoya and a group of volunteers and staff created 150 holiday gift bags for clients in our Community Supportive Housing Program. Read on to learn more about this amazing project from an interview with our Director of Development Teri Blandon and Bobbi!
TB:
Bobbi, tell us what, what are we doing here today?
BM:
So today we are making 150 holiday gift bags for heads of households as part of our supportive housing program. And these are individuals who may have recently transitioned out of shelters, or they may have physical or mental disabilities and sometimes, you know, they are forgotten at the holidays. So, we wanted to make sure that make them feel special!
TB:
So how did you first get this idea for, for doing this, this incredible project this year?
BM:
I, you know work closely with Sam to find out what do our clients need.
And so she threw out the idea of giving the adults, you know, a little something.
And so I thought, oh, great, I must think of something that is thoughtful but useful.
That's what I like to do. Something thoughtful but useful, then add a little cute to it!
TB:
Now, this is not the first year you have partnered with Interfaith Works for this.
You've been doing this for quite a while. How long have you been doing this project of giving?
BM:
I was thinking about this. This will be my 4th year, so the first year I started working with the clothing center in the Dress for Success corner and I collected accessories for women who when they go on their interviews. The second year and through my membership on the Women Housing Finance Foundation, we put together 35 gift baskets for shelter. And then last year we also put together gift baskets for the shelters. But we did like over 100 that time and that's when I became active on the board and I kind of took things over and then we have this year we're at 150, so we're growing and growing definitely.
TB:
What inspired you to make these particular care kits?
BM:
In talking to Sam, fulfilling the needs and again, just wanting to put together something that made the adult feel special, but then it was also going to be purposeful. Inside the gift bags we have a blanket, and they are going to be housed in a reusable red tote bag, which they can put their groceries in and whatnot. And then we added a handmade card. One of my good friends, she's a small business owner and she made 150 cards and then we'll sign them with special messages. So that's what that entails!
TB:
Now this, this project really is a family affair for you and your family. Tell us a little bit more about who all you get involved with this, in addition to the IW staff of volunteers.
BM:
Yes, it is definitely a family affair. Let's start with my mom. She lives in Colorado. She was visiting and in July I drag her around to all the different stores. We went shopping and loaded up the baskets with all kinds of goodies. And so that was really fun. But then my husband, you know, he purchased the bins, rented the truck, made room in the garage and we'll do some of the loading and unloading. So he's very supportive of you know what I want to do within a fake works as well that's awesome.
TB:
I'm guessing Bobby that this giving impulse you have has been a part of your life for a very long time. Tell us a little bit more about, you know, where your earliest memories of giving back.
BM:
Giving back my family growing up, you know, at times we didn't have a whole lot, but you know, we always make Christmas very special. And then as I became, you know older and adult, I just wanted to get back and you know so I have been active in women's causes and that type of thing to to give me back and so yes and I have hopefully brought that forward to my daughter and what not.
TB:
Yeah, think of others that's wonderful. So, what's your favorite part about this project?
BM:
You know there are two favorite parts. So, the first part is the hunt, the shopping for the perfect item, the perfect color, perfect sale, all of that. And then the second is when we get to put it all together, get a group of volunteers, make them look all pretty and then ready to distribute because that means, you know, it's culminating in a good celebration. And so that is fun seeing it put together. And then the volunteers really have a really good time too.
TB:
So how can people get involved? Or what advice would you have on steps people can take to create their own projects?
BM:
Interfaith Works is good about advertising what their needs are. On social media, if you for example look on Instagram, you'll see some posts about, you know, the shelters need food for dinner or whatnot and the website is good. It talks about volunteer opportunities and how you become a volunteer and what process you go through. So those and newsletters, those are very helpful.
And then certainly like the IW board likes to get involved. So interaction with the board will certainly, you know, help you get involved in lots of different ways, and provide a lot of opportunities to get involved in lots of different ways!
TB:
Yes, that's awesome. So, you, as you mentioned, you've been involved with IW for a long time. What is it about Interfaith Works that keeps you coming back and then eventually, and it made you decide to commit to board service as well.
BM:
I was just impressed by all the different projects that Interfaith Works does and just how far in Faith Works reaches you know, that's bandaged in, in our community. But most of all Interfaith Works has a lot of heart, you know, And I see that with everyone. I deal with Interfaith Works and that work is very impressive, and our board is also got the passion and I'm really, you know honored to be a part of that group.
TB:
So last question, is there any other message you'd like to send that maybe I didn't ask?
BM:
You know, it's just important to remember that everybody deserves to feel special and the importance of not leaving people out. And so that's what I that's what I like to do with all of this type of work.