Helping those in need whenever and wherever we can is a core IBSS value. We created a volunteer board to act as the service arm of our business with a mission to identify ways to give back to the community and the environment. The idea is to give back to the community as a whole, from people to the environment to schools and more. IBSS President Bruce Arvand and Program Manager Nijel Redrick lead many of these efforts, including a recent successful blanket and toiletry drive for the homeless in the Silver Spring, MD, and Washington, D.C. areas.
Bruce drew on his own personal experience and awareness of how important simple things like a blanket to keep warm can mean so much to someone without. Nijel’s work organizing volunteer projects such as Project Give Back inspired his idea to co-organize an IBSS drive to provide much-needed blankets and toiletries to those who could not afford them.
In January 2021, IBSS volunteers coordinated a DC-area distribution of blankets, scarves, gloves, masks, hats, toilet paper, sanitary wipes, toothbrushes and toothpaste, and other daily necessities. Many of the items were distributed directly to the homeless and a portion of the donations were given to homeless shelters throughout the city.
Bruce commented that it was very moving to look people in the eye and have a conversation with them. While the blankets offer protection from the elements, the most impactful part was that people were treated with dignity and respected as human beings.
“Homeless people are faceless, as time passes no one acknowledges them. They don’t even look them in the eye as they hand them money. When you get to know these people you learn more about their different backgrounds. It just takes a little bit of compassion to listen. Love, service and compassion are IBSS’s core values. I refuse to just donate money; I want people to come in and get to know these people that are living there. ”
IBSS President, Bruce Arvand
IBSS’s Volunteer Board raised over $3,000 to purchase 500 blankets, cold weather gear, and 500 toiletry kits. Our employees also collectively donated $1,500, which IBSS matched, for a homeless shelter in Silver Spring to use in addressing their needs.
Our Volunteer Board has additional giving back activities planned for 2021, including beach clean-ups and participating in the Chesapeake Bay Foundation’s Shell Shaking event in late July.
