Bambini Helps. Bambini Gives Hope.
Over the years, Bambini has participated in various community initiatives. As a Reggio-Inspired program, we sought not only ways to involve our community in our programs but to also give back to the communities in which our centres are located.
HOW BAMBINI HOPE CAME TO BE
In December 2022, our Bambini team decided to assemble “blessing bags” for the Mustard Seed.
These bags consisted of small toiletries, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste/brushes/floss. We also received lots of hats, mittens, a few jackets, blankets, and socks. To make the experience especially meaningful, the children wrote little words of inspiration for each bag.
After dropping off the donations to the Mustard Seed, our team was inspired to keep the momentum going throughout the year. It was from this one experience that Bambini HOPE was born.
BAMBINI HOPE COMMUNITY INITIATIVES
Bambini wants to help our community. We know the value of giving tangible goods but also the importance of serving and giving of our time.
So our childcare team decided to have a monthly focus on collecting goods as well as organizing volunteer work for our families and staff at local charitable organizations.
We plan to alternate donation collection months with in-person volunteer work and all of our initiatives will help Edmonton and area charities. For example, in the month of January, we collected non-perishable food donations at all our locations for the Edmonton Food Bank. Then in the month of February, we arranged an onsite volunteer opportunity for our Bambini staff and families at the Edmonton Food Bank warehouse.
For the month of March we have invited families and staff to join our Bambini HOPE team to walk together in the Cold Hands, Warm Hearts walk for Hope Mission.
HOW BAMBINI HOPE OPERATES
Bambini HOPE is run by a group of volunteers. These volunteers choose a focus for every month of the year and try to alternate in-person volunteer opportunities with collections of donated goods.
We also invite families and staff to share ideas for our initiatives. They can reach out to our centre managers or email the volunteer team at [email protected] with their ideas!
Bambini HOPE is not a charitable organization but rather a community initiatives group. We do have an annual art gala – where families are invited to purchase children’s art and then each centre donates those funds to a charity of their choosing. Otherwise, monetary donations are not collected as we can not issue charitable tax receipts.
WHY PARTICIPATE?
Children and families are our inspiration. Our childcare programs are born out of a need to help families and children. From our complimentary in-house classes for families to yoga evenings, our programs focus on supporting the family unit.
We have created Bambini HOPE for the same reason. We are working to build a better community for our families and for the children we work with.
Families get an opportunity to connect with one another at our volunteer outings, and children get the opportunity to experience the joy of giving and helping others in need.
We want our efforts to create a brighter, healthier future for everyone.
THE FUTURE OF BAMBINI HOPE
We are so excited for the future of Bambini HOPE! With every month we are fulfilling our vision that wherever a Bambini is planted, the community will grow and thrive!!
Bambini Learning Group is a holistic child care program located in Edmonton, Alberta. Their vision is to inspire families to live healthier, more meaningful lives. Through innovative, holistic, and supportive resources, Bambini is helping children live the authentic childhood they deserve. New locations coming soon! Contact Bambini for more information about their unique, holistic child care program at [email protected], or book a tour to see Bambini for yourself!
JENNIFER BLY
JENNIFER BLY is the Pedagogy and Administrative Coordinator for Bambini Learning Group. She's a published author, and creator of The Deliberate Mom, a website full of parenting and homemaking inspiration. Jennifer has over 20 years of experience in the Early Childhood field. In addition, she holds a Bachelor of Applied Human Service Administration Degree with a specialization in Early Learning in Child Care.