2025 NWS Autumn of Service

2018 (September 30 - October 6)
2019 (September 29 - October 5)
2020 (September 1 - November 30)
2021 (September 1 - November 30)
2022 (September 1 - November 30)
2023 (September 1 - November 30)
2024 (September 1 - November 30)

From October 1 through November 12, the Broome County Humane Society shared a wish list with NWS Binghamton, NY. Their office came together to sign up and donate the items they needed. We provided a variety of supplies from their list, including items for cats and dogs, as well as office, laundry, and other essentials. Our donation period began at the onset of the shutdown and continued throughout, lasting six weeks. Despite the challenges, we were able to collect more than we had anticipated, and we personally delivered the items on Friday, November 14th. The Broome County Humane Society greatly appreciated their contributions and support.

NWS Charleston, SC supported two organizations for the 2025 Autumn of Service. The first organization was the Ronald McDonald House of the Coastal Empire, which provides a "home away from home" for families who have critically ill/injured children receiving treatment at area hospitals. The items donated included paper towels, toilet paper, plasticware, among others. The second organization was the One Hundred Children's Foundation, which promotes the health, education, and well-being of children. One of their projects is making pillows for the children in the hospital. We collected several fun fabrics for the pillows.

From September 15 through October 25, NWS Eastern Region Headquarters held a collection drive for a local food pantry and local outreach program to homeless/struggling families. They collected over 250 lbs of warm clothing, and over 300 lbs of food/hygiene supplies.

On October 17, 2 volunteers of the NWS El Paso, TX staff worked with the Potters’ Guild of Las Cruces to conduct the annual Empty Bowls community service project. 100% of the proceeds go to help El Caldito Soup Kitchen.

On October 25, 3 volunteers of the NWS El Paso, TX staff and 1 family member worked to sort food, open boxes, and distribute to people in line worked to sort food, open boxes, and distribute to people in line at Kelly Center for Hunger Relief.

On November 1, 2 volunteers of the NWS El Paso, TX staff donated blood with Vitalant. The donations were whole blood.   

During September, NWS Fort Worth/Dallas along with the West Gulf RFC, and Fort Worth CWSU held a food drive for the Tarrant Area Food Bank, a local food pantry that services portions of the DFW Metroplex. They collected 287 lbs. of canned and non-perishable food items.

From September 24 through October 5, the WCM (Marcus Landon Aydlett) and SOO (Brandon Aydlett) at WFO Guam built their next Tower for Humanity at the Agana Shopping Center.

In addition, they conducted a community-wide food drive in support of Be Heartfelt and their mission to feed children in need on Guam.  This was their third year coordinating and hosting the Humanity Food Drive Competition and it has become the largest Food Drive event on Guam, now supporting children in Guam, Saipan and Palau. Food donations this year surpassed that of years 1 and 2 combined. 

For the overall tower for humanity project, the goal was for 25,000 cans/food items. The final tally came in at 24,944, with an estimated 21,000 cans and about 18,500 pounds overall. The 'items' also include noodle bowls, bags of rice, drink/water/milk bottles and snack packs. There's about 9 more Food Drop Sites that will bring their collected items to the Charity this week, with those numbers still unknown. I hope to get those numbers, and cash donations finalized this week. 

On the NWS side, Brandon and Landon Aydlett contributed 541 pounds of canned food to the project. 

On July 11, July 25, and July 27, a NWS Twin Cities staff member and 7 family members volunteered time to cook and sell food for fundraisers that support multiple youth groups and fixing a couple old churches.

NWS Twin Cities and the North-Central River Forecast Office (RFC) kicked off Feds Feed Families office by holding 2 luncheons at the Twin Cities, Chanhassen office. On August 13, we had a make your own spring rolls lunch and on August 19, we had a rice bowl lunch. Nhan Dang donated the food and people signed up for the events, donated money going to Prop Food (14700 Martin Dr, Eden Prairie Mn 55344).

On September 16, Laura Diamond (NC RFC) made a tacos luncheon (Taco Tuesday) and then ask that donations be made towards local food shelter (Prop Food).

Throughout the autumn, various staff continued to donate homemade lunches to feed people at the office. In return for the lunches, a donation was asked to be made to the local food shelf or to a 3rd party member. At the end of the events a collected check was made out to the food shelf. We held a total of 5 luncheons this year: Springrolls, lemongrass tofu/chicken rice bowls, tacos Tuesday, Octoberfest (sloppy Joe, hotdogs/brats, sides), serving our Native partners (wild rice soups). We just got the total of $882.00 sent to Prop Food this fall.

On Friday, October 24, 3 meteorologists from NWS Wilmington,NC kayaked Smith Creek, a tidal creek that cuts through the city of Wilmington. They collected 5 large bags of mainly plastic and glass litter from the creek.