T: Gavin risks his life everyday for all of us that live in America while we get to sit in our homes and enjoy time with our family

       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. 

Before I even started my service project, I wanted to choose something that was meaningful to me. As I looked at each of the options, I reflected on my life and how fortunate I am to live in America. I thought about all the soldiers overseas and how they risk their lives every day to keep me safe and free.

 I cannot imagine the hardships they face while over there and the devastating things they see. If I had to face the same things they do I do not think I would be able to do it. So, after thinking about this, what I decided to do was send a box to Gavin in Afghanistan. I was given a list of the things that he enjoyed and wanted and so I went to the local Publix and purchased as many of the items that I could to make him happy. I was able to get him Cheez-its, Takis, deodorant, pretzels, Lays and some granola bars. 

My hope, by sending him this box, was to make sure he was taken care of and felt appreciated for all that he does for his country because it is such a selfless and remarkable thing for a person to do. Gavin risks his life everyday for all of us that live in America while we get to sit in our homes and enjoy time with our family.

 Soldiers, like Gavin, are the reason we are able to live the way we do with the luxuries that many of us have.  My core value is happiness and I got so much joy out of sending this box of goods.

 I really hope that Gavin got the same joy when he opened the box that I had when I packed it. He is truly deserving of this happiness. The impact that this could have if every person sent a box to a soldier would be amazing. Each soldier could wake up one day and smile knowing that they are loved and cared about. The impact this could have on a community would also be very great because people could give back and feel good about it. It could create relationships throughout the community and the people within it which would be a wonderful thing

. I am so glad I was able to do this service project because I now feel like I have contributed to the happiness of a soldier and made a difference in his life whether it be big or small. Doing this project has certainly taught me to be grateful and it allowed me to believe I have accomplished something great. 

I hope to be able to do more services like this in the future to continue making a difference in this world.