Service Hours Summary Autumn 2019

On October 20th, I volunteered for 5 hours at the Columbus Marathon water stop. I was with a group of my fellow scholars as we handed out water and gatorade to the runners on 12th Avenue. Additionally, we cheered for them, providing moral support and encouragement for the runners and their impending milestone. I did this last year and enjoyed it, and so I decided to do it again. Providing this service showed me that major accomplishments are completed by more than one person and that I can work with a team to help other achieve their goals. I felt like a leader this year and assumed that role by showing some of the younger scholars the proper way to hold the cups and make eye contact with people. My cheering was motivating for others to join in as well. Because of service learning I am more willing to help out in my community and encourage others when they have doubts.

For 4 hours of service, I volunteered at “study tables” put on by DSWS on Sunday nights. For this service I was available to help freshman with english assignments or papers they had to write. I learned that I am capable of tutoring someone who has been in my shoes before. I also learned that tutoring is a humbling experience for both parties because it is hard to ask for help and direction sometimes when you’re struggling and it is difficult as the tutor to try to explain a gap in someone’s understanding. I felt like a leader of DSWS through being at study tables because I could offer help to scholars because all of us want to succeed academically. Because of service learning I am more likely to make time to help others who are struggling with academics and be patient when I explain concepts.

For my final hour of service, I participated in a “Sandwich Saturday” on November 16th at the Newman Center. We made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches for the homeless. This was through the CRS Community organization. I learned that giving back really does make a difference and that we are blessed because we aren’t stressed about where our next meal will come from. I was a leader through this service because I can lead the people who received the sandwiches to have hope for better things in their lives and not to give up in their struggles. This simple gesture gave me hope that we can achieve that as a community. Because of service learning I am more involved in my community socially and can make an impact through small gestures.

DSWS Water Stop Team

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