Shelter Events - Field Days
The Salvation Army was blessed to be part of Charles Schwab’s Volunteer Week once again this year. We hosted Field Days for the children and families staying at our two family shelters, The Austin Shelter for Women and Children and The Rathgeber Center for Families. The days were filled with games, snacks, and lots of joy because of the wonderful volunteers from Schwab, and the generous donations from Shaved Ice Island, Miscellaneous Rentals, and Premiere Events. Children were covered in cotton candy and face paint while parents watched with smiles on their faces.
The Austin Shelter for Women and Children had a special addition to their itinerary: a petting zoo by Tiny Tails to You. Everyone had the opportunity to hold and interact with an assortment of captivating creatures such as rabbits, lizards, and even chickens! Many children conquered their fears of certain animals, and you could see the joy and confidence light up their face as they pet a fluffy rabbit or held a tiny chick.
Our shelter staff were also able to join the festivities, adding some fun to their workday. The Residential Services Manager expressed her gratitude, saying, “The petting zoo from Tiny Tails to You was very therapeutic for the staff as well as the clients and put smiles on everyone’s faces.”
The volunteers from Charles Schwab played an important role in the success of Field Day and had a great time supporting this event for the second year in a row. Their staff rolled with the ever-changing weather and broke out of their comfort zones by doing things like making cotton candy and painting faces. The Schwab team had a great time creating these special days for the children living in our shelters, sharing that after Field Day they were “exhausted in the very best way.” Thank you to all who made this event possible!
If you would like to help organize an event for families living in our shelters, reach out to our Volunteer Coordinator at Alexandra.Nissim@uss.salvationarmy.org.