AMH2020 student*
“When autumn darkness falls, what we
will remember are the small acts of kindness: a cake, a hug, an invitation to
talk, and every single rose. These are all expressions of a nation coming
together and caring about its people.” -Jens Stoltenberg.
For my service project, I decided to
do the Victory box to Afghanistan for the veterans deployed. One of my core
value is family and I have had a close family member in the military so I know
what it feels like to be the family of someone. I also know that I would want
someone to do the same as I was doing for my family members when they were deployed.
Another one of my core values is respect, I respect everything that these men
and women are doing for their country overseas. Many times, these people are
not recognized for the work that they are doing every day and if doing
something as simple as sending them a box with food and a letter to put a smile
on their face, I will. One more of my core values is unselfishness. Many people
who only think of themselves would use the 15 dollars it takes to ship a flat
rate box out, to buy themselves food, clothing, or they would use the money
they spent at the grocery store on food for themselves or for their family. But
not being selfish is if you have the money that you can put aside little by
little that and one day add up to being able to send a box to a soldier
So next
time you want to by that really cute sweater that you already have in 2
different colors, or want to buy that McFlurry and fries because you just want
a snack, put the money to the side that you would be spending on that and put
it towards something that someone else can benefit from as well. This pertains
to my major because right now I am looking into going into the medical field
and I have a very caring heart. Because of this I really want to help people in
even the smallest ways every chance I get. The health profession is known for
bringing smile to people’s faces or by bending over backwards to help someone
with what they need.
I think that the impact this could
have on some people could really make their day and make them feel like they
have done their good deed for the day or the month. I also think that this
would make the community a better place because soldiers could come back to
their communities and know that everyone is proud of what they are doing that
nobody sees.
My experience for this service
project was a very impacting one. Picking out the food was enlightening because
you could see what food soldiers really miss when they are away and what can
withstand the trip to Afghanistan. Writing the note made me feel like I had a
very personal connection with the soldier I was writing to because I told him/
her about myself and I got to thank them for all the amazing work they do that
goes unnoticed.
These days with the whole controversy of NFL players trying to
make a point by sitting or kneeling during the national anthem is disheartening
for the soldiers. They are away fighting for people’s freedoms and defending
the flag that people are disrespecting in a way they should not. Just by
sending this Victory Box made me feel like I could change a soldier’s mind and
let them know that they are still appreciated back in the United States for
everything they are doing. Just doing this project once for an extra credit
class has made me want to do it more often and keep sending boxes to these
soldiers a few times a year. Until now I had never thought of doing things like
this for the soldiers because it is not advertised as much as it should be or
it is through a group and you are just donating money. This experience was
super personal in the way that I could send them a letter introducing myself
and they could tell that I put the time and effort to go to the grocery store with
them in mind and buy foods that they would like overseas. The expense really is
not that much for the impact you are making on someone’s life. You never know
what they are going through especially overseas. They may not have heard from
their family in a while, or they have recently had a death at home, or someone
in their platoon just passed away. All of these could be happening to any one
of them right now and getting this victory box just made their day and cheered
them up from whatever they are battling.
I think that if everyone did this
even once a year they could be making such a big difference in someone’s life
and make them realize that they are appreciated for what they are doing. Almost
everyone has a core value that could fall under how this project connects to
what they believe in and nobody has an excuse as to why they cannot help
someone who is in a tough spot in their lives and needs a little reassurance.
If everyone would come together and help one another out in even the smallest
ways the world would be in such a better place and everyone would be happier. Because
of this project I feel even more motivated to help others who do not even know
me but will appreciate the nice gesture from someone. Making hard times easier
by a couple of dollars and a few kind words really brings happiness to my heart
and makes me feel like I am really doing my part in the world to help others
who need a little pick me up in their lives.
