Community Corner
Meet The Charity: Paper Parcels Of LI Teaches Young Students Importance Of Giving Back
The charity visits elementary schools, helping students craft origami and personalized notes for senior citizens.
DIX HILLS, NY — Local charities are the unsung heroes of our communities. Nonprofit and not-for-profit organizations strive to create lasting change and positively impact the lives of those around them.
Some people start organizations as a way to cope with grief, some see an issue they want to tackle, and some want to bring lasting change. Sometimes, all those reasons apply.
Patch wants to highlight your local charity and connect it with community members who want to help and do good, so that way, more people can benefit. Here is just one of many charities doing terrific work in your community.
What is your name?
Riddhi Das
What is the name of your charity?
Paper Parcels
What is your position within your charity?
Co-founder
What community is your organization based in?
Dix Hills
Link to your website
What is your mission?
Our mission is focused on teaching the youngest learners the importance of giving back to their community in a fun and interactive way while also making sure our seniors felt loved and valued throughout the entire year.
What does your charity do to further its mission? Please list examples.
We go to elementary schools in the Half Hollow Hills district and help their student councils make origami and personalized notes. Then we drop these gifts at the Sunrise Living of Dix Hills. We are currently expanding to other school districts, like Plainview-Old Bethpage Central School District, and other senior centers on Long Island.
What inspired you to start your charity?
I worked so hard to turn this dream into a reality because of my grandmother. Every time I gave her little gifts I saw how happy she got. I wanted to try and spread this joy to all of the seniors in our community.
How can people help you accomplish your organization's mission or get involved in events?
If you would like to support us please go follow our Instagram and check out our website. If there are any high schoolers on Long Island looking to get involved please go to our website and fill out the volunteer application. Furthermore, if you would like to support us we have a GoFundMe. All of the money raised goes back towards supplies needed as well as different aspects of our outreach.
What is the most memorable moment you've had since starting your organization?
My most memorable moment is after our 2nd workshop at Vanderbilt Elementary School. There was a young girl who came and hugged me. She thanked me for coming and doing these workshops with them and told me she always looks forward to them. That made me realize the value of the work that we do.
What else would you like people to know about your charity?
All together, this organization has delivered over 130 pieces of origami and 100 personalized cards to the seniors at Sunrise Senior Living of Dix Hills.
What are your organization's social media pages or handles?
Instagram: Paper.Parcels:
Go Fund Me: https://gofund.me/c917c8dc
Do you help run a charity?
Nominate it here or share this link with someone who does.
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