It’s about more than robots…it’s about carrying the spirit of FIRST.
Every year we choose a local non-profit to support around the holidays, in addition to an annual food drive.
Women’s Center and Shelter
In November and December 2020 we arranged for contact-free drop off of donations at three locations. Afterwards, all donations were collected and then delivered to the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh on December 12th.
In December 2019, we collected donations for the Women’s Center and Shelter of Greater Pittsburgh.
Aunt Flow
We all know that feminine hygiene products are costly and sometimes not readily available, so in spring of 2019 the Girls of Steel organized a drive for donations from team members. Then, at the Greater Pittsburgh Regional, we assisted people on other FRC teams by stocking restrooms with these donations. You can read more about the Aunt Flow mission here.
Bethlehem Haven Women’s Shelter
In December of 2016 the Girls of Steel reached out to Bethlehem Haven, a women’s shelter in Pittsburgh, and made their holiday a little brighter by showering them with personal care items, bedding, and other much needed accessories. It was especially rewarding for the Girls of Steel to spend quality time with these women, introducing them to robotics and listening to their stories. They repeated this gift-giving activity in 2017 and 2018.
Dress for Success
In 2017 the Girls of Steel gathered dresses, skirts, blouses and accessories from their families and friends and delivered them to Dress for Success at a Pittsburgh location for women returning to the workforce.
University of Pittsburgh Gift Donations
In 2015 and 2016, the Girls of Steel collected, organized, and wrapped holiday gifts for children who attended the Salvation Army holiday dinner held at the University of Pittsburgh. Even the youngest members from our FLL teams participated in gift-wrapping for others.
Bring a Smile to the Service
In 2014 the Girls of Steel got together and wrote letters to the U.S. Military who were then on active duty. The letters ranged from just “hello and we’re thinking about you”, to “thank you for protecting us”.
Food Drives
Starting in 2013 the Girls of Steel has made an effort each year to organize a food drive on either the FRC team or with our FLL teams. In November 2019 the FLL teams donated enough snacks to make 76 “Snack Bags for Kids” that weighed a total of nearly 150 pounds. The snack bags were donated to the Greater Pittsburgh Food Bank.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we could not collect food donations so we decided to ask for cash donations to the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. We raised $475 from our FLL, FTC, and FRC families.
Gift Wrapping
From 2012 to 2018 the Girls of Steel volunteered at local Barnes & Noble Bookstores during November and December. They engage with the community by wrapping books and other gifts for customers shopping for the holidays. This yearly tradition raises awareness about our team and FIRST and we meet new friends and sometimes we meet old friends.
