Baltimore Hunger Project

Recently, Robb started volunteering at the Baltimore Hunger Project, and he was just named volunteer of the month! The leaders asked me to write something about Robb's experience, and they put together a great write up on him. Here it is:

APRIL VOLUNTEER OF THE MONTH ROBB DOUB

Baltimore Hunger Project is a volunteer-driven organization that provides weekend food packages to children living in food insecure households. April is both Volunteer Appreciation Month and Autism Awareness Month.  This month, we are proud to highlight the volunteer time and effort shared by Robb Doub as exemplified by his loyalty and commitment to the work he does for BHP. “We’ve always appreciated his willingness to help each Monday and his attention to detail,” said Lynne B. Kahn, BHP Executive Director. “However, when we received this letter from his sister telling us how important we are to him, we knew we had to say ‘thank you’ in a very public way.” BHP received this letter from Astri Doub, on Autism Awareness Day, April 2, 2017.

“My brother Robb is a 17-year-old student at St. Elizabeth’s School. He loves swimming, basketball, and he is an amazing dancer! Robb also has autism and Down Syndrome. Recently, Robb began volunteering at Baltimore Hunger Project. It is the highlight of his week! When he walks into Baltimore Hunger Project's headquarters, located at the Family League, he always stops for a customary happy dance. He then labels each weekend food pack, very purposefully and carefully, all with a wide grin on his face.

Robb’s different abilities make many daily activities a little harder for him. Many times, volunteers help him get through those activities. At Baltimore Hunger Project, however, Robb becomes the volunteer. Having now been on both sides of volunteering, Robb knows better than anyone the positive impacts it has. He feels privileged to take part in the experience, and he gets as much out of volunteering as the people receiving the weekend food packages!” Baltimore Hunger Project is very grateful to Astri for sharing her story about her brother, Robb. It is not unusual to have volunteers who ‘pay it back’.  However, Robb’s story let’s us know that we are helping meet our own goal of creating a fulfilling and meaningful volunteer experiences for our volunteers. “Our volunteers make a difference,” said Lynne. “We could not do all we do to help the children of Baltimore Hunger Project without our volunteers like Robb Doub.”   "One person can make a difference, and everyone should try." ~John F. Kennedy

World Autism Awareness Day

Happy World Autism Awareness Day! This special day started in 2008 by a representative from Qatar, and now it is recognized by all the countries within the United Nations. In celebration, many notable landmarks have continued to light up blue in honor of the event. Including the Empire State Building, Rockefeller Center, and even the Ancient City of Petra! To show your support please continue to wear blue for the rest of Autism Awareness month.