During COVID-19, Bonnie Shively and her husband, Bruce, decided to take a trip to the Pacific Northwest from their home in Coachella Valley. On their way, they stopped at Some Crust Bakery in the Claremont Village. While inside the bakery, they noticed a Shoes That Fit community message board with smiling faces and thank you cards from kids who received brand-new shoes.
The Shively's were moved by the positive and grateful responses and wanted to learn more. In a moment of serendipity, it was then that the Shively's realized that they parked their car right in front of the Shoes That Fit Claremont office! That very day, the Shively's spoke with Shoes That Fit CEO and Executive Director, Amy Fass about how they could get involved.
Bonnie soon realized that working with Shoes That Fit would be a perfect fit for the kids in her community. Shively reached out to a local elementary school where she volunteered as a reading assistant. The principal and staff of Hoover Elementary zeroed in on the kids in need. In their first year, Sunrise Giving Circle was able to raise funds to provide shoes for 35 kids. Since then, their fundraising efforts have grown more and more every year! In 2024 SGC raised enough funds to distribute 335 pairs of athletic shoes to students at Hoover Elementary School.
Shively and members of SGC were able to distribute the sneakers in person just before the holidays. Santa and a couple of his elves were even in attendance.
“I love every part of this. Shoes That Fit has really spoken to me. I am really thankful to help facilitate smiles on these kids’ faces.” Bonnie Shively
Shively started Sunrise Giving Circle several years ago. It is a group of women who come together once a month to support local charities in the desert.
“There is a lot of wealth in the desert, but also a lot of poverty,” stated Shively.
Sunrise Giving Circle meets once a month during the season. A hostess volunteers to find a local charity to support. A guest speaker is invited to speak on behalf of the organization, and each member brings $25 or more to donate.
Throughout the years, Sunrise Giving Circle has donated over $50,000 to local charities. They are giving back and also learning more about their local community.
“I want to encourage others to start a local giving circle. It is so easy to do,” said Shively.
Giving circles can include your local community but also can stretch digitally around the world. www.givingcompass.org/giving-circle-directory provides a list of causes and helps people connect in their local and global communities.
“A giving circle brings a group of people with shared values together to collectively discuss and decide where to make a pooled gift. Giving circles support with their dollars but also build awareness, volunteer, become board members, and more. Individuals multiply their impact and knowledge, have fun, and connect with their local community. People are coming together around the world to create the change they want to see in the world.”
-Philanthropy Together
Shively adamantly encourages others to do the same. Thank you to the Shivelys and Sunrise Giving Circle for making “giving” a full circle moment within your community.
If you would like to know more about how to start your own giving circle, Shively encourages you to get together with members of your local community. Find a local school or organization that you would like to work with and begin fundraising.
Further resources are available here:
https://betterworld.org/blog/asking-for-donations/complete-guide-giving-circles/
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