AMH2020 student
Help
others and give something back. I guarantee you will discover that while public
service improves the lives and the world around you, its greatest reward is the
enrichment and new meaning it will bring your own life.”
- Arnold Schwarzenegger
The
service project I decided to take on was sending goodie boxes to Afghanistan
for the soldiers, because while in service, they do not have things like candy
and chips to satisfy the cravings we all get for junk food. This project was
very meaningful to me, because it showed how being in America, and being free,
while others fight for your freedom is so incredible. The least we can do, as
patriots to our own country is to open our wallets, open our hearts, and give
to the men that risk their lives for us every day.
This
service project directly takes on the core value of giving, and giving what you
can, because the men overseas are grateful for everything that comes their way.
In both boxes I sent, I bought cards and sent a thank you letter, saying how
much we as Americans appreciate them, and that we are praying that one day they
will come home safe, and can finally rest knowing that their families are out
of harm’s way. The way that this giving project can connect to my major is that
in life, within a big company, there will always be charity events, but maybe
not an event where you send goodies to Afghanistan. This is where I’d be able
to come in and say that I have connections to the soldiers in Afghanistan, and
that I would be able to collect boxes to be sent there so that the men fighting
for us have a chance to eat something sweet, or something that they have been
craving. The effects of these small boxes can be great, they immediately affect
the lives of our troops, but also, that affect the lives of others around you
watching you send the box.
I
told my roommate about the boxes, and he told his mom about them, and now they
are all sending Christmas boxes out with organizations such as, Operation Christmas
Child Boxes, which is huge in my area, Tampa. It feels great to know that you
helped push me to do something nice for our country, and now that I did, and I
told someone about it, and now they are wanting in on the giving, it’s a great
feeling. Giving is a trend that usually comes around this time of year, hinting
the name “giving season”, or “tis the season to give”. I understand that, but
why is there a season, there are people in this world that need our help all
year round, and when we give all at once, it won’t last them throughout the
year. I think it’d be amazing to give in intervals throughout the year to
different organizations to help out all year round, not just the giving season.
I’m very grateful to have you as one of my first college professors, because
you really showed me that there are still good teachers out there that have
cares beyond the classroom, and take their own time to make sure that students
volunteer, and give back to the community.
Being
a college kid, I know that it can be hard to do service projects, being low on
money, and busy with schoolwork, but honestly it was nice getting out of the
room, and doing something nice for someone. There are little to no teachers
there days that are willing to do what you do, and I’m so happy I took your
class this semester, it changed my outlook on how college is going to be for me
these next four years. The main impact that these service projects have in this
community are that when one person gives, other want to as well. By showing the
way and being a leader in the college community, you can really shine as a
student, because students can get lazy, and bored. When students get bored,
stupid things happen, so if we could keep students interested in something a
couple nights a week that could save them from getting in trouble. Some
students may not even be trouble makers, they just want to get out of their room
and do something productive with their life, service projects are a great way
to do that.
The reason why I chose the Arnold Schwarzenegger quote is because it
directly reflects my experiences of giving back to the community, and overseas.
When I saw this quote in the choices I immediately chose it knowing that it
would match up with my essay perfectly, explaining what I have been talking
about in the last paragraph, and about my personal experiences with service
projects. I am also extremely happy that I was able to do this service project
this semester, because annually I put together a few operation Christmas child
boxes, to be sent overseas to the kids that do not have anything. The
difference from those boxes, and the boxes that we sent this semester is the
age group. I sent toys, socks, toothbrushes, and any essential that we have in
America that is rare in 3rd world countries. Usually, I send a few
of these out with my local church, but since the collection is over, I missed
it by a week. I’m grateful that I sent these boxes because I would’ve missed
out on giving to the people that really need our love. We are spoiled in America,
whether we think so or not, we want new phones for Christmas, while the kids in
3rd world counties just want socks to put on their feet, and clothes
to put on their bodies. I just wanted to thank you again, Dr. Soldani, for the
opportunities to give this semester to make kids realize that they can make a
difference in their community and worldwide. I’ll miss you next semester, thank
you.
