UPDATE: Due to the impending inclement weather, we have reduced drop off hours on Thursday, January 20, 2022 to 12 – 5 PM.
The Volunteer Center is proud to bring back this ever-popular project for MLK volunteers. Paracord bracelets are worn and used by members of the military and first responders in emergency situations, so your bracelet just may save a life!
PROJECT DIRECTIONS
- Respond to this opportunity;
- Complete this registration form - limit of one kit per address; REGISTRATION CLOSES ON 12/29/21
- The bracelet kit (containing material for 5 bracelets) will be shipped to you. Follow the instructions here to complete the bracelets;
- Volunteers must assemble all 5 bracelets
- Put your completed bracelets back in the envelope you received and return your project in one of two ways:
- Ship the package back to Operation Gratitude directly (9409 Owensmouth Ave, Chatsworth, CA 91311)
- If you ship it directly, please first send a picture of your bracelets and letters to servicedays@montgomerycountymd.gov to allow for SSL verification
- Drop off your envelopes at the Upcounty Consolidation Hub (12900 Middlebrook Road Germantown, MD 20874) between January 15 - January 22. Please follow signage onsite for drop-off instructions.
Drop off Hours:
January 15: 11 AM - 4 PM
January 18-21: 9 AM - 5 PM
January 22: 11 AM - 4 PM
Each kit will include the following:
- Supplies for 5 bracelets
- Jig for measuring
PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS
Click here to view all tips and tutorials for the bracelets.
SSL: MCPS students will receive 4 SSL hours for completing and returning 5 bracelets. Signed SSL forms will be provided at drop-off.
If you are dropping off your project, all volunteers will be required to fill out an online form with your name, email address, and project(s) you're dropping off. If you are requesting SSL hours, you'll receive a signed SSL form at drop-off.
If you are mailing your bracelets to Operation Gratitude and are requesting SSL hours, please email servicedays@montgomerycountymd.gov with your name and a photo of your completed bracelets and letters to receive SSL hours by email.
Note: Ignore the statement and directions on Operation Gratitude's site about obtaining service hours through them.
By responding to this opportunity, you are pledging to continue to complete acts of service in the spirit of Dr. King.
From Operation Gratitude:
HOW CAN A PARACORD “SURVIVAL” BRACELET BE USED?
All who serve use paracord, which gets its name from parachute cord and can hold up to 550 lbs. of weight. The bracelet provides 7.5 feet of cord in an emergency. Paracord “Survival” Bracelets can be used to:
- Secure camouflage nets to trees or vehicles
- Build a makeshift shelter
- Extend a security strap or rope to reach and haul heavy objects
- Create a harness to extract an injured person from a bad location
- Make a sling or splint
And those are just a few of the ways to use the full paracord! Cut the paracord and remove the 7 to 9 individual nylon strands inside it (the “guts”) and now you have finer strong string to use as:
- Sewing thread to repair gear
- Emergency sutures to close a wound
- Fishing line
- Trip line to secure an area
- Our hope is to include one Paracord “Survival” Bracelet in each of our Deployed Troop Care Packages, and in the First Responder and Recruit Graduate Care Pouches.
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home until the end of the 2021-2022 school year.
