I had the amazing opportunity to meet with Keiona Turner, founder of the GIVE Club, and attend one of their community service projects. The nonprofit organization focuses on serving communities in Detroit and the metro area. They are making a great difference in Detroit!

I enjoyed meeting the GIVE Club and learning more about the great work they are doing in Southeast Michigan. So grab a cup of coffee or your favorite beverage, and take some time to get to know the GIVE Club!

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The GIVE Club served a Detroit community on Saturday, October 22, 2016. They handed out Blessing Bags to those in need. (Photo Credit: Jennifer Hamra)

“Leave a legacy. Leave your footprint on the earth of doing something good.”

Keiona Turner, Founder of the GIVE Club

Established in March 2016, the GIVE Club has participated in 5 service projects. They have volunteered with Gleaners Community Food Bank of Southeastern Michigan, the Center for Hope in Flint, Michigan, the Angel House in Redford, Michigan, and Sisters United of Detroit.

On October 22, 2016, the GIVE Club held a service project to hand out “Blessing Bags” to community members. The service project was also in recognition of Make a Difference Day.

On October 22nd, volunteers from across the country will unite for Make A Difference Day, one of the largest annual single-days of service nationwide. Since 1992, volunteers and communities have come together on Make A Difference Day with a single purpose: to improve the lives of others.

Make A Difference Day is made possible by you and the people of TEGNA with support from Arby’s Foundation and Points of Light. –TEGNA, www.makeadifferenceday.com

For their “Make a Difference Day” service project, the GIVE Club was able to distribute 60 personal hygiene kits and 80 food kits. The items went fast and the community was very appreciative of the organization’s help.

With each new service project, Keiona says they feel inspired to do more for the community. “[We] realized this is something we need to do more frequently and more often,” she said.

#DONTFORGETABOUTFLINT

As Michiganders, we have all heard about the water crisis in Flint, Michigan. Many organizations and people have contributed in some way to help the citizens of Flint. The GIVE Club also joined in to help Flint. Each member pledged 10 cases of water to donate to Flint citizens. Family members were also able to donate water cases.

Altogether, the GIVE Club was able to give 200 cases of water. Uhaul even discounted the cost of their truck rental so they could deliver the water cases to Flint. Keiona said the Flint service project “far exceeded our expectations. That was pretty huge. When we opened up the truck trailer, I was just astonished by how much water we had collected in such a short time!”

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GIVE CLUB SERVES THE COMMMUNITY ON THIRD AVENUE

When I met up with the GIVE Club on Satuday (October 22, 2016), I was curious to know how they knew to serve the community on Third Avenue. Keiona told me she researched various communities in Detroit to see which areas needed assistance.

At first, she thought the members would need to drive throughout the community and deliver items. But Keiona started researching organizations who serve in Detroit. She realized the Neighborhood Service Organization was “one of the largest organizations in the metropolitan Detroit area and I thought it would be best to come next door to them.”

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A GIVE Club member hands a blessing bag to a community member.
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A GIVE Club member takes time to pray for a woman during a service project.

GIVE CLUB BELIEVES IN SUPPORTING COMMUNITIES

Starting the GIVE Club is a way to give back to Detroit and other communities. The GIVE Club believes in making strong efforts to help make neighborhoods better. When I asked why she created the GIVE Club, Keiona said she felt it was something she needed to do. “I’ve always wanted to give back and have an impact– make some changes.”

Keiona also strongly believes in the importance of teaching children how to give back to their community. When she serves the community, she likes to include her family, most especially her son Jaden. Keiona explained she wants to make sure her son knows “that the things that he has or he’s been given isn’t a given…it is not necessarily everyone else’s life. And I want him to know that he’s fortunate. Some people aren’t fortunate. And when you are fortunate, you’re supposed to help other people.”

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Keiona’s son also volunteers with the GIVE Club.
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The GIVE Club believes in including their family with service projects, most especially their children. It’s a great way to teach them how to give back to the community.

THE GIVE CLUB ARE NOT JUST VOLUNTEERS– THEY’RE ALSO BEST FRIENDS!

What makes the GIVE Club so unique is that they are not just volunteers. The members are also the best of friends. “I know that I could do a little by myself, but I have a great group of friends– a really wonderful core group of girls. As soon as I asked them, ‘do you want to be involved?’ they said yes, they were on board,” Keiona told me. 

Ever since she invited her friends to join the GIVE Club, they have been fully committed to the organization. She says the women are an intricate part of the organization. “They bring their own ideas and they are fully invested.”

How amazing is that?

Imagine getting a few of your friends together and taking one weekend out of the month or giving up your weekday to meet together and serve your community. I think that’s a powerful connection to have with friends. What a wonderful way to come together and spread love to those who are in need!

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The GIVE Club member are also the best of friends!

LOOKING AHEAD TO THE FUTURE

The GIVE Club has big plans for 2017. For one, they hope to receive their 501c status. Keiona also hopes to start receiving grants to help more communities and people of Detroit. 

At this time, GIVE Club is self-funded. The members contribute their own money by paying monthly dues and making a personal donation for a project of interest. Sometimes family members also make a donation to a service project. Another goal of the club is to add on new members in 2017.

If you would like to help the GIVE Club or learn more about the organization, you can visit their official website. And don’t forget to like their Facebook page to stay up-to-date on any upcoming projects and news!

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“I truly believe that there is strength in numbers.” -Keiona Turner, Founder of the GIVE Club

Special thanks to Keiona Turner, founder of the GIVE Club, and the GIVE Club members for inviting Good Life Detroit to their service project! 

All photographs are courtesy of Jennifer Hamra for Good Life Detroit.


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Written by

Jennifer Hamra

Freelance creative Jennifer Hamra created her blog Good Life Detroit in 2015 after relocating from Tennessee to Southeast Michigan.

Inspired by her love for personal blogging and photography, Jennifer likes to share her favorite Detroit things, from cool places to visit (the hidden gems are her favorite!) to the amazing people she has connected with over the years.

When she's not busy juggling family life and her creative projects, you can find her at an art gallery, community event, farmers market, or spending quiet time at home with a good book and cup of tea.

Jennifer lives in the metro Detroit area with her husband Travis and their six children.

Connect with Jennifer on social media @goodlifedetroit on all social media platforms or via email at [email protected].