AMH2020 student
“To give real service you must add
something which cannot be bought or measured with money, and this is sincerity
and integrity”-Douglas Adams. To me this quote represents and expresses putting
things in perspective. Today in America, we live in a society where many people
are attached and drawn into the brand new material items, resulting in us
focusing on aspects of life that consume us based on material things. If you
pick up a magazine or turn on the TV it is mainly what celebrities are doing
what or the latest new thing.
I believe society has such a focus on money that
we have lost a sense of staying grounded and down to earth. The second part of
the quotes states that to give real service we must add sincerity and
integrity, meaning that we must have pride and volunteer to help others from
the bottom of our heart and have a passion for helping. I believe this quote is
extremely relevant to the Service
Project I chose to complete which was sending a box to Afghanistan for our
soldiers. It really puts things in perspective for me. To be a soldier, risking
their lives for this United States of America and fighting for our freedom, to
have such simple requests was humbling. I was happy I was able to provide the
service to a United States soldier in Afghanistan. A personal box coming from
overseas adds the sense of sincerity and thoughtfulness that is expressed in
the quote in which money cannot buy. With family who are active in the Military
as well as veterans, this project really hits home and was a project I had
great pride in completing and participating in.
For my service project, I chose to
send a care package to Afghanistan. I along with another classmate went to the
Walmart in Tallahassee to pick up a few of the requests that were sent from the
Soldiers overseas, to be included in the boxes. While deciding what I was going
to put in the box I really thought, what on the list I would miss the most if I
were overseas for the amount of time they are. While I thought about this, I
eventually came up with the executive decision to send Cheetos Puffs, Country
time lemonade powder and blueberry Cliff bars. Most of the reasoning behind my
decision to send these items came from me wanting to send them a food they can
snack on being the Cheetos Puffs as well as a nutritional alternative being the
Cliff bar to give them a healthy source of energy. After purchasing the items
from the Walmart the food was packaged up and the care package was sent in
route to help the soldiers to give them a sense of support and sincerity from
the people back home as a heartwarming sense of kindness.
I really enjoyed this service
project and really believed it stood for something bigger than us. To have a
whole class participate in such a selfless and caring act near holiday season was
something very special to be a part of. I as an American, have a huge sense of
patriotism, pride and support for America’s first responders, law enforcement ,
teachers, military and anyone else who has a positive impact on the United
States. I believe that coming from a military family it has helped me mold
these core values into me as a person. Although my major is undecided, I want
to pursue something that will result in me making a positive contribution to my
community, society and country as well as making my family proud. I enjoyed
this project because it was an act of kindness that showed our appreciation for
the courageous service that is done for us day in and day out.
I
believe that the soldiers who receive these packages are extremely thankful and
can turn their day around. They are in a situation overseas where most have not
seen their family in over a year. For the soldiers it is hard doing what they
do so far from home, especially during holiday season. It is a huge sacrifice
they make for America. This act of kindness has a huge impact on not only the
soldiers but us, the students as well. The positive vibe goes both ways. It is
extremely good for the soul knowing you are helping someone out. Mentally is
feels very good to give and puts you in a very positive state. I felt that this
project was very beneficial and impacted everyone in the class in a positive
manner.
