Old Dominion University (ODU) American Marketing Association (AMA) Chapter are making waves in the Hampton Roads community through their first community service event of the semester. The event titled “Warm Hearts, Full Bags,” resulted in the donation of 100 blessing bags containing hygiene items, warm accessories and snacks to a local organization to support the homeless community in Hampton Roads.

ODU AMA President, Amie Burdette designed the initiative and collaborated with members of the club to carry out the planning and execution. Burdette collected donations through an Amazon wish list shared through personal and club social media accounts as well as in-person donations in the Strome College of Business before hosting an on-campus bag stuffing event. Among the items on the wish list were toothbrushes, rain ponchos, individually packaged snacks and socks.

“I was just eager to make a difference, even though our small contributions could provide comfort and relief to those in need,” said Burdette. “Throughout the event, we experienced a mix of emotions. Seeing the generosity of students, staff, and community members as they donated essential items was incredibly uplifting. We received 55 bulk items purchased off our amazon wish list.”

Burdette organizes bags packed by student members.

Initially, the club planned to pack between 30-50 care bags, but with the support of friends, family, staff and faculty, enough donations were collected to fill 100 bags. 20 students attended the on-campus bag packing session and played a significant role in ensuring each blessing bag was packed with care.

Ramen, Slim Jims and other snacks were among the food items included in each blessing bag.
   

The packed bags were delivered to the Chesapeake Cares Resource Center, a local center that offers showers, access to employment opportunities and medical services and other basic necessities to those struggling with homelessness, and passed out to those in need by ODU AMA’s leadership and members. “Visiting the Chesapeake Cares Resource Center to deliver the donation bags was a particularly profound experience. Witnessing the direct impact of our efforts and speaking with shelter representatives deepened our understanding of the struggles faced by those experiencing homelessness,” said Burdette. The center has their own Amazon wish list that can be donated to throughout the year.

“It was exciting seeing the engagement of our members and officers on this project. The Strome College community and greater community came together to support this effort,” said Michelle Carpenter, ODU AMA’s faculty advisor. “I am very thankful to AMA Strome Marketers President Amie Burdette for pitching this project to our members. It was especially meaningful to see the appreciation from those in need that received the blessing care bags. I hope we can support efforts like this in the future.”