WHAT PROBLEM IS ADDRESSED?
The feet, hands, and head are the most vital body parts to keep warm. Without protecting those body parts during cold winter nights, a person can lose significant body heat. It is crucial to keep warm, especially during the winter months, because the instant one becomes cold, the likelier one is to become sick, and then deteriorating health results. The first time I handed out the Warm 1 Body clothing packets, it was very clear how much the homeless would benefit from this contribution to their lives. It is very gratifying to see how much they appreciated the apparel, and how much they needed the warmth too. Given today’s down economy and high state unemployment rate, the number of homeless people in the Bay Area is unfortunately increasing. While our country continues to solve this American epidemic, Warm 1 Body works to provide a short term solution in the Bay Area.
SUSTAINING WARM 1 BODY
Warm 1 Body is a delivery of product to the homeless community. After negotiating with large apparel suppliers and retailers to donate or sell product at their cost, these three articles of clothing cost roughly $8.00 to keep one homeless person much warmer for the entire winter. These costs are approximately 35% below what it would cost by buying directly from retail outlets. As more funds are raised, costs per three articles will continue to decrease Warm 1 Body’s deliveries will be sustained indefinitely as I plan on continuing to run this non-profit directly with little overhead needed and expected product costs to continue to become more affordable. After paying for office supplies, accounting and tax costs, 98% of funds raised are directly used to buy product and there is no gain from the non-profit.
MORE INFORMATION
Warm 1 Body is unique and a one of a kind charity. I have achieved excellence by focusing on the specific need of staying warm, creating a unique and simple concept, and then executing the concept quickly and efficiently. Fundraising has been very successful but I plan on doubling my network of persons and organizations to raise funds from as the economy has improved and people are more generous in their donations. Board involvement included my two parents. This year, I plan on adding two additional external Board members to give me guidance on how to further expand Warm 1 Body. I have significant volunteer involvement in multiple charities but executing Warm 1 Body has been most satisfying because of the direct impact that I experience. Warm 1 Body will and has served as a great foundation as I continue community service throughout my lifetime.
WHAT HAS WARM 1 BODY ACCOMPLISHED?
In 2012, Warm 1 Body raised over $6,000 in donations from 55 donors. In 2013, the non-profit raised $5,000 in donations from 50 donors. In 2014, the non-profit raised $6,500. In the 3 years of work, Warm 1 Body succeeded in warming over 1,800 bodies – a total of 5,400 pieces of clothing. Warm 1 Body provided caps, gloves and socks to a total of 18 homeless centers as well as 100 homeless persons living on the street. Warm 1 Body was awarded a $500 grant from Tutor Corps Foundation which will go towards apparel purchases in 2014.
GOAL
For 2015, Warm 1 Body aims to raise over $10,000 as a result of the prior three years of success and positive feedback received for the concept.
ABOUT US
WHAT IS THE NON-PROFIT'S MISSION?
Warm 1 Body, a certified 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization, provides caps, gloves and socks annually for the homeless in Richmond, Oakland, Berkeley, San Francisco, and Marin County during the winter. Family, friends and charitable organization donors are solicited to fund this important cause. A wide variety of homeless shelters are contacted for suitability and the caps, gloves and socks are packaged into bags and handed out to different shelters in organized events where I connect with the homeless beneficiaries.