On Oct. 30 from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., students gathered at The University of North Georgia’s Nesbitt Ballroom to design a tote bag and raise money for My Sister’s Place Foundation. The event was organized by the Enactus club to help address the environmental concerns surrounding single-use plastic bags and encourage sustainable practices among students.
Tony Arroyo, the president of Enactus, said, “With Halloween right around the corner, we will see an abundance of single-use plastic bags and buckets this season. We aim to have students go out trick-or-treating with a sustainable and reusable tote bag that can be used for other purposes after Halloween, such as holding groceries instead of conventional plastic bags.”
This experience not only promoted eco-friendly habits but also brought awareness for My Sister’s Place, a foundation for single mothers and women without homes or support.
“Our team wanted to make a meaningful impact on our community by spreading awareness of My Sister’s Place and its mission to help single women and mothers,” Arroyo said. “Every dollar counts, and we will ask students if they would like to donate to this tremendous cause during the Design a Tote Bag event. We hope these college students will continue to donate to My Sister’s Place once they head into their professional careers.”
“You don’t see enough places or people caring about homeless shelters, so it’s refreshing and nice that the club is trying to raise money for them.” – Alyssa Evans, UNG freshman studying elementary education
Attendees were given a chance to grab a tote and choose their colors and embroidered patches to design a bag of their own creations.
Laura Douglas, a freshman at UNG studying nursing, said, “This was a peaceful event. I just got done with classes, and I get to doodle on a tote bag and relax.” Douglas had initially wanted to be an artist after high school and found joy in the creative process. “Events like this help me to release my artistic creativity,” she said.
Students had the option to snack on free candy and enjoy music while designing their tote bags. Additionally, there was a table set up for students who wanted to learn more about My Sister’s Place and donate to the foundation.
My Sister’s Place accepts volunteers and has an online resale boutique that goes toward supporting the women and children at the shelter.
To donate to the shelter, click here.
