Privacy Policy

Buffalo Dream Center ("we," "us," or "our") is committed to protecting your privacy. This Privacy Policy explains how we collect, use, disclose, and safeguard your information when you participate in our programs, including the Boxes of Love toy distribution program and volunteer opportunities.

By registering as an applicant or volunteer, you agree to the collection and use of information in accordance with this policy.

1. Information We Collect

We collect different types of information depending on whether you are registering as an applicant for toy distribution or volunteering with our organization.

Applicant Information (Boxes of Love Program)

When you register for the Boxes of Love program, we collect the following information:

• Applicant Information: First name, last name, date of birth, gender, primary language
• Contact Information: Phone number(s), email address (optional), physical address, city, state, zip code
• Household Information: Number of household members by age group
• Child Information: First name, last name, date of birth, gender, and age for each child
• Alternate Pickup Person: Name of authorized alternate pickup person (if provided)
• Technical Information: Browser type, IP address, and device information for security and troubleshooting purposes

Volunteer Information

When you register as a volunteer, we collect the following information:

• Personal Information: First name, last name
• Contact Information: Phone number, physical address, apartment/unit number (if applicable), city, state, zip code, country
• Organizational Affiliation: Church or organization name (if applicable)
• Volunteer History: Whether this is your first time volunteering with us
• Communication Preferences: How you heard about Buffalo Dream Center
• Technical Information: Browser type, IP address, and device information for security and troubleshooting purposes

Communication Preferences

We collect your consent preferences for:

• Text message reminders (for applicants about toy pickup appointments; for volunteers about upcoming shifts)
• Email communications (if you provide an email address)

2. How We Use Your Information

We use the information we collect for the following purposes:

For Applicants:

• Program Administration: To process your Boxes of Love application and verify eligibility
• Appointment Scheduling: To assign and manage your toy pickup timeslot
• Communication: To send reminders, confirmations, and important updates about your appointment
• Verification: To confirm identity and prevent duplicate registrations

For Volunteers:

• Volunteer Management: To coordinate volunteer schedules and assignments
• Communication: To send shift reminders, program updates, and important notifications
• Safety and Compliance: To maintain volunteer records and ensure program safety
• Community Building: To connect volunteers with opportunities that match their interests

For All Users:

• Record Keeping: To maintain accurate records for program reporting and improvement
• Compliance: To comply with legal obligations and protect our rights
• Security: To protect against fraud, abuse, and unauthorized access

4. How We Share Your Information

We do not sell, rent, or trade your personal information. We may share your information only in the following limited circumstances:

Service Providers

We may share information with trusted third-party service providers who assist us in operating our program, such as:

• SMS messaging services (Twilio) for sending text reminders
• Email service providers for sending email confirmations
• Database and hosting providers for secure data storage

These service providers are contractually obligated to protect your information and use it only for the purposes we specify.

Legal Requirements

We may disclose your information if required to do so by law or in response to valid requests by public authorities (e.g., a court or government agency).

Program Partners

We may share aggregate, de-identified information (not personally identifiable) with program partners and donors for reporting and program evaluation purposes.

5. Data Security

We implement reasonable security measures to protect your personal information from unauthorized access, alteration, disclosure, or destruction. These measures include:

• Secure database storage with encryption
• Access controls limiting who can view your information
• Regular security assessments and updates
• Secure communication protocols (HTTPS)

However, no method of transmission over the internet or electronic storage is 100% secure. While we strive to use commercially acceptable means to protect your information, we cannot guarantee its absolute security.

6. Data Retention

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy, unless a longer retention period is required or permitted by law.

Specifically:

• Applicant Information: Registration and appointment information is retained for the current program year and up to 3 years thereafter for historical records and program evaluation
• Volunteer Information: Volunteer records are retained for up to 3 years after your last volunteer activity, or longer if required by law or for liability/insurance purposes
• SMS Opt-In Records: Consent records are maintained to comply with telecommunications regulations and legal requirements
• After Retention Period: Personal information is securely deleted or anonymized

7. Your Rights and Choices

You have the following rights regarding your personal information, whether you are an applicant or volunteer:

Access and Correction

You may request access to the personal information we hold about you and request corrections if the information is inaccurate or incomplete.

Deletion

You may request that we delete your personal information, subject to certain exceptions (e.g., legal obligations to retain records for program compliance or liability purposes).

Communication Preferences

You may opt out of text messages by replying STOP, or opt out of emails by following the unsubscribe link in any email we send. This will not affect your ability to participate in programs or volunteer.

Exercising Your Rights

To exercise any of these rights, please contact us using the information provided below. We will respond to your request within a reasonable timeframe.

8. Children's Privacy

Our program is designed to serve families with children. While we collect information about children (name, date of birth, gender, age) as part of the registration process, this information is provided by parents or legal guardians.

We do not knowingly collect personal information directly from children under 13 without parental consent. The registration process requires an adult applicant to provide all information on behalf of their household.

9. Changes to This Privacy Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy from time to time to reflect changes in our practices or for other operational, legal, or regulatory reasons. We will notify you of any material changes by:

• Posting the updated policy on our website with a new "Last Updated" date
• Sending a notification via text or email if you have opted in to communications

Your continued use of our services after any changes indicates your acceptance of the updated Privacy Policy.

10. Third-Party Links

Our website may contain links to third-party websites or services. We are not responsible for the privacy practices of these third parties. We encourage you to review the privacy policies of any third-party sites you visit.

11. California Privacy Rights

If you are a California resident, you have additional rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), including:

• The right to know what personal information we collect, use, disclose, and sell
• The right to request deletion of your personal information
• The right to opt out of the sale of personal information (note: we do not sell personal information)
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights

---

Thank you for trusting Buffalo Dream Center with your information.
We are committed to protecting your privacy and serving our community with integrity.