Volunteering & Team Building
First Quarter
For the first quarter of 2022, the True North Team kicked off this year’s giving back campaign by revisiting FeedMore! Through their comprehensive programs, FeedMore employees and volunteers work hard each day to collect, prepare, and distribute food to bring hunger relief to those in need throughout Central Virginia. Our team genuinely enjoys working alongside their employees and other volunteers to help aid in their mission.
Today, we had the pleasure of working with other volunteers to pack “Backpacks” for FeedMore’s “Weekend Backpack” program! This program aids students who may need resources over weekends and during school vacations. Together, we were able to pack 1,000 bags in 2 hours! Woohoo!
Second Quarter
For the second quarter of 2022, the True North Team had the paw-some opportunity to volunteer with the Richmond Animal League! We assisted with general cleaning, maintenance, and organizing around the shelter… but our favorite part was getting some puppy time!
RAL houses up to 30 dogs and 60 cats at one time and has practiced a no-kill philosophy since their start in 1979. In 2010, RAL also opened The Loving Spay & Neuter Clinic to provide free spay and neuter services for pet owners who meet low-income guidelines while also providing low-cost services to municipal shelters, rescue groups, and private pet owners. They even offer free services for feral cats! RAL also has a Pet Pantry Program that temporarily provides dog and cat food for families experiencing unexpected hardship. Their pantry is open 7 days a week and they replenish the pantry as often as they can with donations they receive from the community!
Third Quarter
For the third quarter of 2022, the True North team had an amazing opportunity to volunteer with CARITAS! CARITAS’ mission is to provide effective, permanent solutions to individuals and families dealing with the crisis of homelessness and/or addiction in the Metro Richmond area.
CARITAS partners with many non-profit organizations, and we had the pleasure of volunteering with CARITAS alongside Curtain Call RVA to help them prepare for their quarterly warehouse sale! Each quarter, Curtain Call RVA partners with CARITAS to host a warehouse sale for the Richmond community, and offers new or nearly new donated furniture or household essentials.
To help prepare for the sale, we assisted in opening boxes, sorting items, and lending a helping hand where ever it was needed. It was an incredibly fulfilling experience to volunteer with CARITAS and Curtain Call RVA to help support their mission.
Fourth Quarter
First Quarter
FeedMore Box Prep
Second Quarter
HandsOn Greater Richmond Gardening
Third Quarter
FeedMore Food Distribution
Fourth Quarter
Salvation Army Angel Tree Program Christmas Gift Packing
First Quarter
Dewyonna put our artistic talent to the test and booked our team a “Blown Drinking Glass Workshop” at The Glass Spot! With the help of an experienced glass worker, we had a wonderful time creating our own hand-made masterpieces and learning a bit about the glass blowing process. We truly enjoyed learning such a unique skill!
The Glass Spot is family owned, and the only hot glass studio in the Richmond/Central Virginia area with public access! We highly recommend it as a fun, unforgettable, and unique experience.
Second Quarter
Juliette planned a lovely and serene morning for us at Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens! We began the morning with a guided tour of the gardens, and learned about many different plant species while marveling at the abundance of beautiful flowers and foliage around us. We also learned about some of the different architectural styles you will see in many gardens across the world. Our guided tour ended in the Rose Garden, so we decided to adventure over to the Conservatory where we admired palm trees, their tropical Orchid wing, and many other floral displays. Our favorite part about the Conservatory was the Butterfly Garden! We wrapped up our outing at Hobnob, where we enjoyed a delightful lunch and each other’s company.
Overall, we really enjoyed exploring the Lewis Ginter Botanical Gardens, and highly recommend visiting whether you are looking for a tranquil and relaxing experience, or an educational and fun one for your family!
Third Quarter
Frankie (who is notorious for his love of food tours) planned a unique and fun Richmond Bakery Tour with RVATukTuk! It was a beautiful day outside, and we got to experience some of the best of what Richmond bakeries has to offer!
What is a Tuk Tuk you might ask? A Tuk Tuk is a three-wheeled, 100% electric, open air-limo!
We started the bakery tour at Whisk Bakery, and we tried their famous Macarons! They were delicious, and the biggest Macarons some of us had ever seen! We then adventured over to Sub Rosa Bakery in Church Hill, where we divulged in delectable Fig and Cheese pastries. Afterwards, we tuktuked over to Carytown, where we enjoyed fabulous vegan cupcakes at Minglewood Bake Shop. Our last stop in Carytown was at Claudia’s Bake Shop, where we enjoyed mouthwatering Chocolate Rugelach and S'mores Brownies!
Fourth Quarter
First Quarter
The Virginia Axe Company in Rockville
Second Quarter
River City Escape Room
Third Quarter
Scott's Addition Food & Wine Tour
Fourth Quarter
Richmond Tacky Light Tour w/ Family