SUGAR is a new organization that is sprinkling kindness around the community. Three mothers, Alexandria Pereria, Stefanie Guido and Victoria Cobb started SUGAR in September and held their first event in October. SUGAR stands for Showing Unconditional Goodwill and Respect and is the answer to their wish for children to have access to volunteer opportunities. “Often times, it is the parents who are doing the giving which is great, but the children do not see the end result.” explains Cobb. “We wanted the kids to be able to get their hands dirty and really see that their own efforts can make a difference”. The community is responding to the need, too. Nearly all of their events that have space limitations fill up quickly.
What makes SUGAR unique is their ability to find and operate events that can encompass a large age range. Often high schoolers are the only school-aged children invited to help out at many non-profits, but SUGAR has found a way to get the whole family participating. From tidying up a local ranch that provides therapeutic riding lessons to making and packing 100 lunches for the Salvation Army, SUGAR is helping all over Manatee and Sarasota county. Age is not a factor. Their littlest volunteers, their SUGARcubes (preschoolers) can work alongside older kids.
How does SUGAR do this? The women reach out to local non-profits and businesses that need assistance and find a way for children to be able to assist. “The opportunity may not seem obvious, but it is there. It just takes a little thinking outside the box to find it.” says Pereria
Stefanie Guido connected SUGAR with HOPE Family Services and SUGAR has come up with multiple ways for the kids to help the children at that center. SUGAR volunteers will be working on craft kits, blankets and other comforts to help make the stay for those children a little less stressful.
To learn more about what SUGAR is doing, keep an eye on Macaroni Kid’s events and SUGAR’s website, www.sugarvolunteers.org.
