Deborah Bagdazian [She/Her]
? How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?
?️ My son, Alex, is the current Board President and asked me to volunteer
? Memorable experience with handing out a Street Bundle?
?️ When I hand out Bundles I get that “Tingly” sensation when you see the smiles on their faces and their gratefulness.
? Why do you volunteer with Street Bundles?
?️ I have always been a volunteer as I strive to giveback to the community. Since I retired, I have devoted a lot of time giving back to many local organizations. Helping others in need is a passion of mine that I will continue as long as I can.
Mike Carter [He/Him]
? How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?
?️ Through working with Aaron and Alex at the Center.
? Memorable experience with handing out a Street Bundle?
?️ During the course of participating in multiple Bundle Builds, the camaraderie of the team and the general spirit of the group is overwhelming at times. My personal experiences with handing out bundles are all memorable, and I have many stories about meeting individuals that are currently unhoused that I see on the street. Sometimes, I go out, just seeking someone to give a bundle to.
? Why do you volunteer with Street Bundles?
?️ It brings me tremendous joy to see the recipient of the bundle’s face light up and suddenly become happier, even if for just that moment. Many will change their behavior, like asking for change or money, and depart their spot on a street corner or in front of a store because of the Bundle.
Donald Franklin [He/Him]
? How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?
?️ Alex made me do it…and told me about how cool it was.
? Memorable experience with handing out a Street Bundle?
?️ Handing out a bundle and then having Alex relate the story of how the person who got my bundle showed it to him.
? Why do you volunteer with Street Bundles?
?️ Because it is the right thing to do! ?
Elaine Lewis [They/Them]
? How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?
?️ Aaron and Alex were talking passionately about Street Bundles. I asked for more information. The program sounded amazing. I had been thinking about what I could do to support people with limited resources and Street Bundles was exactly what I was looking for.
? Memorable experience with handing out a Street Bundle?
?️ North County Stand Down. Any time we get a chance to thank our veterans and give just a little something back is a memorable experience.
? Why do you volunteer with Street Bundles?
?️ Because Street Bundles not only provides sustenance and daily hygiene needs but also provides me a way of being able to tell people I care.
Dave Reyes [He/Him]
? How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?
?️ Through Alex.
? Memorable experience with handing out a Street Bundle?
?️ I “dragged” my daughter one morning to help with a build, because she complained the entire way that it was still too early. She had such a great experience building (with Deja btw) that she wanted us to go immediately to find those in need and drop them some bags. By the time we came back home she was so excited while explaining her experience, that my son was upset that he couldn’t help out. So of course we got back in the car once again. It really made me proud that both my children share my passion for volunteerism and compassion for everyone in our community. Touched my heart that day.
? Why do you volunteer with Street Bundles?
?️ Volunteerism is a passion of mine. I have always believed that in order to make our community a better place, we need to help all members of the community, not just the ones that are most similar to us. I believe in Street Bundles cause, because it helps those members in our society that are too often forgotten and not cared about.
Susan Wong [She/Her]
? How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?
?️ I learned about Street Bundles while volunteering at The Center when Alex told me about the organization.
? Memorable experience with handing out a Street Bundle?
?️ There was a man with only one arm standing at a stoplight with a battered cardboard sign. I stopped and gave him a bundle and he blessed me and left the middle of the street to sit down an open his bundle. I felt that he could relax for a bit.
? Why do you volunteer with Street Bundles?
?️ I have always felt a bit helpless driving or walking by people in need. This way I can do a small part to help them. Plus the builds are always a wonderful time
Brent Morton [He/Him]
?How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?…
?️After knowing Alex for about 5 years he invited me to a build.
?Memorable experience with handing out a Street Bundle?
?️I handed Street Bundles to a group in Balboa Park once, I asked the group to share the contents amongst themselves to which they agreed. One man came to me to ask if there were socks in the Street Bundle, I answered yes and continued with my day, but the question and the expression on his face stuck with me. I went to a discount store and bought a multi-pack of socks and returned to the park, the man recognized my car and face from earlier and walked up to me, I handed him the socks and he thanked me profusely, but before I could finish the thought he looked at me and said “I’ll share them.” I cried.
?Why do you volunteer with Street Bundles?
?️I’ve volunteered with other organizations for over 20 years but had never been approached with a volunteer opportunity to work with the homeless. I cannot ignore a problem that is right before my eye and do nothing. Street Bundles has provided me with the opportunity to contribute to helping fight homelessness in San Diego.
Ollin [She/Her]
?How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?…
?️I have been friend with Alex for about 10 years. Friends that become family, we try and get together once a month to have dinner and catch up with each other.
#monthlydate #brotherandsister #cloudedjudgement
#nutandhoneylicious
?Memorable experience with handing out a Street Bundle?
?️After my first or second build my grandma who lived in Sacramento was really sick, I took off for Sacramento with bags still in my car. I happened to be leaving Bel-Air (Northern California grocery chain) and some one asked if I had change for water. I remember it was HOT that day, and felt really bad that I didn’t have more than a couple of pennies, but I let them know, I do have a bag to help you. I handed him the street bundle which he immediately put on and walked away. My aunt who was with me asked what was in the bag; since I had extras when we got back to the house, I pulled a bag out and showed her everything in the bag. Only then did I remember we put a letter with San Diego resources in the bag. Oops! I am thankful that every bundle I’ve handed out has been well received.
?Why do you volunteer with Street Bundles?
?️A few of the many reasons: “If you have the ability to make someone happy do it, the world needs more of that.”
Getting together for a Saturday morning to build bags gives me a sense of community. People helping people because they want to help, not because they have to help.
lan [Ollin’s son] Pronouns: kid*
? How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?
?️ You told me about it (looking directly at Alex) duh!
? Memorable experience:
?️ I have more fun building the bags and putting stuff in the bags.
? Why do you volunteer?
?️ Cause it’s fun!
Dana Field Smith [He/Him]
?How did you come to learn about Street Bundles?…
?️Aaron and Alex
?Memorable experience with handing out a Street Bundle?
?️After the last bundle build, it was raining when I got home. After a few chores, I took some recycling to the dumpster and before I could drop it from my hands, I saw a guy laying in the dumpster. He said that he was “trying to get out of the rain.” After I recovered from the shock of the surprise, I went back inside to bring him a Street Bundle. He seemed pleased and thanked me.
?Why do you volunteer with Street Bundles?
?️I have empathy for the homeless, as I have had a personal experience with it.
