Student Service Project Report Summer 2016
As you grow older you will discover you have two hands one for helping yourself and one for helping others. -Aubrey Hepburn
For my service project I made a survival kit. I made a bag and filled it with 15 items. We rode around for a couple hours after we bought the supplies for the survival kit my boyfriend and I to find the perfect person to bless. We had bought sandals and female products so we knew our target was a woman. We also had a spot in mind that we occasionally would notice a few hobos’ just hanging out. It’s so weird because it isn’t until you’re looking for homeless people is when you can’t find them. We kept asking ourselves is that a homeless person or a regular person walking? I know if we gave this backpack to a regular person they would be a bit offended when they hear we presumed they were homeless. We wanted to give it to a woman who would understand and fully use our kit.
One-day heading across town, we sparked a conversation thinking how many people would benefit if everyone was required to do this. In a sense we actually are, being kind and showing love is a free gift we can spread daily. I believe doing good for someone should come from the kindness of our heart. We stopped at a MacDonald’s to get some frappes. We had just gotten off work, and had our completed backpack survival kit on deck for whenever the right person came our way. We pulled out, got in the far right lane and approached the stoplight. I looked over at my boyfriend and noticed he was staring out the window. I turned my head looked out the window and immediately noticed what caught his attention. With no hesitation he pulled over. We saw what appeared to be a mom and son both standing at the corner of the street with a sign that read “Anything Help’s” The woman looked strong. She resembled bravery and courage from afar. Her son however had the complete opposite look on his face. He looked around the age of six and eight. He looked tired and hungry. Instinctively we both knew we had to make another backpack for the young soldier she had by her side.
Aside from the purpose of this assignment we made these survival kits and gave them to this little family because it was the least we could do to help a stranger in need. The kit for the two of them totaled roughly forty dollars. Who could put a monetary value on the rewarding feeling and immense amount of gratitude received afterwards. The impact that this assignment had on me was a feeling of appreciation for my life and things that I have been blessed with. The impact the items in that kit made on Miss Samantha and her son James is unexplainable. Only they know the struggles they’ve overcome. We all love and yearn for a sense of security and comfort. When they both opened their personal back packs and noticed what was all in there all I saw was a look of relief plastered on both the mother and sons faces. Not even being in there shoes I could only imagine and empathize on the emotions running through their heads. Just to know a few things are taken care of, and for the moment your back is covered. This experience made me think about society and how selfish we have all become with our time and especially our money. If it not for us, pertaining to us, relatable to us, then we do not participate or indulge. It’s so sickening to know that there is food made daily worldwide and thrown in the trash every night. On the flip side, others go to sleep with their stomachs touching their backs in hunger. It’s even more disgusting to know that we could easily fix this problem, lend a helping hand and end world hunger but simply chose not to. This experience showed me that I should do more to help others. Everyone goes through hard times; and it is not out place to judge. It’s our place to lend a helping hand to those in need.
Survival Kit Items:
- Toothbrush
- Toothpaste
- Umbrella
- Soap
- Chips
- Hand sanitizer
- Deodorant
- Mini First Aid Kit
- Wash cloth
- A pair of Sandals
- A cap
- A pack of razors
- Backpack
- Water bottles
- Feminine products/ Toy Cars
