UMB community steps up with much-needed items for nonprofit center that helps low-income individuals and families in Washington Village/Pigtown.
On Aug. 30, the University of Maryland, Baltimore’s (UMB) Professional Administratives Committed to Excellence (UMBPACE) delivered goods donated by the UMB community to Paul’s Place, a nonprofit center in the Washington Village/Pigtown neighborhood that offers services and programs to low-income individuals and families.
UMBPACE put out a call for items such as in-season clothing, socks, shoes, purses, wallets, backpacks, blankets, sleeping bags, and reading glasses — and the University community stepped up with bags full of donations that were dropped off in UMB buildings over four weeks in August.
Saifa Poole, assistant to the senior vice president, Office of External Relations, UMB, and Eris Smith, office manager, Office of the Dean, School of Dentistry, delivered the goods to Paul’s Place.
“UMBPACE would like to thank everyone who unselfishly participated with their generous giving,” Poole said. “We collected a great deal of new and slightly used goods that will be greatly appreciated by the families that are helped by Paul’s Place.
“UMBPACE believes it is important to give back to the community that surrounds our workplace and is committed and dedicated to supporting a local charity once a year if not more. The UMBPACE members look forward to creating future opportunities to give back to our community.”
UMBPACE is an affinity group created to embrace the challenges encountered by new and existing administrative staff at UMB. The group is dedicated to empowering UMB administrative professionals by mentoring, teaching, encouraging, and identifying paths to excellence. It is part of the UMBrella Group (UMB Roundtable on Empowerment in Leadership and Leveraging Aspirations), which works to support the success of women and those who identify as women at the University.