Service Project: I have been on each side of the rainbow of life, and have felt the joy of receiving and the peace within when giving.

(Student Essay Fall 2015)

As you grow older, you discover you have two hands, one for helping yourself, and one for helping others- Audrey Hepburn

      My original idea for my service project was to participate in my churches Angel Tree program. Instead of my family being on the Angel Tree, I wanted to be able to adopt a family. I wanted to return the graciousness of what has been done for my family, when we were in a struggling point in our life. If it had not been for the church, my children would not have had the Christmas that they deserved. Unfortunately, our church decided that they were not going to have the Angel Tree this year. My church’s’ pastor is a volunteer firefighter, and thought that it would be nice to adopt a family(s) that has lost everything due to fire. I will still help provide for this family when my church announces what is needed to help bring happiness to them. I am anxious to bring happiness to a worthy family that is experiencing such a disaster. I had a next door neighbor family, experience a total loss due to fire several years ago, that was to close for comfort. I could not imagine to completely lose everything but your vehicle. The Red Cross only paid 1 room, for 3 nights at  Motel 6 and 100 dollar gift card for J.C. Penny’s, per person. This was a family 6, 3 children, 3 adults, one was an amputee. I could not believe this was all the assistance they could receive. I believe that adopting a family like this will touch me more than any type of giving. It would mean more to me than the Angel Tree would.

     Although, I have not completed my service, and honestly, this is not a service. I am not being paid, nor “made” to do this. I want to, and frankly your assignment only just pushes me. Many did in fact help contribute to another cause given by my church, Shoebox for the Bronx. All year the congregation has collected different items for the shoeboxes, such as toothbrushes, combs, stationary, socks, puzzles, etc. With the assistance of Dr. Soldani, and the donations of toiletries, I added to the shoes boxes the items that could be matched together. We had a list of some demographic characteristics, which the worthy recipients would be. So in other words, I could pair the female deodorant, to the ladies’ boxes, men’s went to the gentlemen’s’ boxes etc. The shampoo and conditioner matches were as well placed in the boxes. The donations that I received from Dr. Soldani, worked perfectly because each box did not contain the exact things. Of all the other items that were left, I placed them in the box of donations for Emmaus Baptist College. My church also recently started to collect toiletries, and non-perishables, to assist the students in the dorms. My oldest son is wanting to graduate high school in two years, and go to Emmaus, so I considered this as a fit for the other items.

     I am happy that many of my courses that I have taken on my journey through college, has asked that I participate in different acts of kindness. I have been on each side of the rainbow of life, and have felt the joy of receiving and the peace within when giving. Previously, in one of my other courses, a few other students and I; started the Toiletry Drive for our own students at T.C.C.  We advertised with fliers around campus, had a booth at Stu-Fac Day, and had brainstormed for ideas to progress, such as bake sales to raise money for hygiene product purchases, silent basket auctions, in such. Our ideas were to set grounds and to pass along for other students to continue. These types of assignments that have one notice that they have “two hands”, instead of just one, as Audrey Hepburn phase reminds us, are lacking in today’s society.

Service Project: I think spreading love and joy through a small community starts with the kids. And once the kids can be happy, then the parents can be happy because that’s one less thing they have to worry about

Jaylon Barnes

December 11, 2015

AMH2020-155145

11:15-12:05

Service Project

“The wise man does not lay up his own treasures. The more he gives to others, the more he has for his own.” ― Lao Tzu

     My service project consisted of me coaching a Recreation team of young boys alongside my best friend in my community of Quincy, Fl. I got the pleasure to meet and start coaching during the summer, in a summer basketball league, where we first got our team together. My group of boys were all between 10-12 years old, so the confidence was there and the trash talking. We began with basketball during the summer, but that season didn’t last long. In August, around the same time the semester began, the football season started. Which means a longer season, longer practice, more players, and more time I spend with my boys.

     I volunteered to coach because I love sports and I love younger kids. I have always had a special love for sports, but for some reason I enjoy talking and interacting with younger kids and they always become attached to me. So, being able to teach football and basketball alongside building a relationship with a bunch of younger kids was right up my alley. Another reason that motivated me to volunteer with my boys was because my older sister passed away when I was younger. So, I grew up as an only child and any opportunity I get to play a big brother role, I will always take it and it will always be a new and learning experience for me.

    Dealing with the responsibilities of being one of the head figures of my team, being a full-time student, and having a part-time job was extremely hard balancing only being 19 years old. At one point I felt as if all of it was becoming too much. My grades dropped in every class, and I practically played catch up the entire semester. I contemplated quitting my coaching duties, but I am so hard on my team as far as them “giving their all”. I always preach no quitting and no using the word “can’t”. So, I couldn’t allow myself to quit on my team and give up on them due to my lack of balancing time and priorities. The turning point that made me buckle down, was a conversation I had with one of my best players and captains Justin. I had a rule that no one could practice without all homework being finished, even if that meant they do their homework on the sideline. One day before practice and while the team was stretching and warming up, I was on the sideline doing some chemistry homework on the bench. Justin walked over and sat by me and asked “What you doing Coach?” I told him I was doing homework and briefly explained it to him. So, when 6:00 came around, which is what time practiced started, I started to put all my books and folders in my backpack and Justin quickly stopped me and asked “Coach did you finish?” And I answered him “No, I will when I get home”. Justin looked at me with a disappointed face and said “Coach, you know the rule. No practice until all homework is finished.” All I could do was smile, and think to myself, these kids really care about me. My preaching to them on never quitting, giving their all, and no using “can’t” turned into my rules for the remainder of the semester and for life.

    I had a great relationship with all of my boys. But, if there was one who stood out to me and became the most attached to me was Justin. Justin was one of the oldest on the team and easily had the biggest personality on the team. Justin and I argued and tested each other almost every practice. Justin was also my next door neighbor, so we carried a lot of those arguments home. I think what connected Justin and I was that we related to each other in almost every aspect. We are both the only child, we both are “mama boys”, and we both have to have the last word. Justin and I bump heads a lot, but at the end of the day I love him to death and we both need each other. Even though he’s only 12, I go to him for advice and he does the same for me. When my house was burglarized and almost all of my belongings were taken, Justin sat on the steps of my house with me and cried with me. Coaching that team not only brought me and Justin closer, but it made him and I family. I spend majority of my weekends with Justin, so we’ve became inseparable. Whether its homework, questions about girls, or just hanging out I am here for Justin, and I know he is here for me.

      Being that the community of Quincy, FL is going through a lot financially and crime wise, it felt great doing something positive for the community and most importantly the kids of our community. I think spreading love and joy through a small community starts with the kids. And once the kids can be happy, then the parents can be happy because that’s one less thing they have to worry about. After every game, I treated my team to pizza and there we shared laughs and forgot all about the game whether we won or loss. It feels good to be able to walk in Walmart in Quincy, and see my players and how they embrace me with love. Those group of boys helped me and they made me see life as if I should do all I can to help anyone I can. They definitely made me appreciate everything I have been blessed with and most importantly they helped me appreciate them and their presence. I understand this was a service project for just the semester, but I definitely plan on making this a service project for years to come.

      

Service Project: If I’m being honest, I wanted to just stay home and focus on myself. But as I was shopping, I was so happy! I forgot all about myself and focused on someone else,

For my service project, I made a care box for a homeless veteran at Veterans Village. I went with my sister and bought things I thought would hopefully bless my veteran, Darden. We bought him a warm, fuzzy, bathrobe. I thought this would probably be a good thing for him, since it is getting to be winter season and going to be cold outside. We also bought him pajama pants, and three t-shirts that matched his pajamas. When we were out, we found nice bath towels and hand towels that matched everything else we had bought so far. To complete the box I got a card for Darden and wrote a short note inside that told him that I was thinking about him and that I hoped he liked the gift.

            The quote that I chose, that stuck out to me the most was Rabindranath Tagore’s quote. It said, "I slept and dreamt that life was joy. I awoke and saw that life was service. I acted and behold, service was joy.” When I read this, it really struck me. During my shopping for Darden, I was stressed out, and struggling with stuff going on in my own life. If I’m being honest, I wanted to just stay home and focus on myself. But as I was shopping, I was so happy! I forgot all about myself and focused on someone else, who had less than I did. It filled me with so much joy and happiness, and got rid of all my self-pity. After the shopping trip, I found it hard to even go back to thinking about things the same way. I have so much to be thankful for and this service project reminded me of that.   I believe that serving other people is one of the best feelings in the world. I truly believe it’s impossible not be happy when you see how happy you are making other people. My sister, who shopped with me, said, “It’s so much fun to do things for other people.”  She was blessed by shopping for Darden, I was blessed by it, and I hope Darden is blessed too.

Service Project: Writing these letters really made me realize how much we, as humans, take for granted. Sometimes we just expect people to do things for us, just to make it easier on ourselves.

“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” – Maya Angelou. All people impact one another. The choices and actions that we make can impact an individual for a whole lifetime. Helping someone out with any given task, or even just giving someone a compliment is something that all humans are able to accomplish. All humans should take time out of their busy schedules to help those who are less fortunate or those who might need a little lift of positive energy, setting them in a good mood. Throughout high school, I was a peer counselor who really enjoyed helping others. I would help many students and teachers with various tasks around the school on a daily basis. For myself, helping others out and providing service is not something I wanted to stop doing once I entered college. I was happy that you assigned this assignment, spreading positivity throughout our society, which seems like it could use some at this point in history.

For my service project, I wrote out thank you letters/holiday cards for the employees that work at my dorm Southgate. I distributed them to all of the different kinds of employees such as the kitchen staff, maintenance staff, and RA’s. The workers are working there everyday, trying to make each students day as good as possible. The kitchen staff prepares and cooks our food daily, as well as cleaning the dining hall consistently. The maintenance staff is always there for us whenever there is something not working and functioning properly in our dorm. The RA’s are also very helpful to us, always providing help, solving issues, and informing us about all of the events that are happening and what is going on. All of the workers are constantly working hard for us everyday and I don’t believe enough appreciation is shown to them for the amount of work that they do.

I wrote out the thank you letters/holiday cards to truly show my appreciation towards each and every employee individually. These workers come to their jobs everyday with the intention of providing us with whatever we may need, which I really appreciate. I do not believe that, as a whole, the other students show enough of their appreciation for the amount of work the workers put in. I do not believe this is right because the workers are devoting all of their time and energy to us and they should be shown appreciation. In addition to showing how much I appreciate them, I wished them a Happy Holidays. It is the holiday season, a time to give and help others when in need. This is a time to be thinking of others and not be selfish. I was happy I was able to express my true feelings of appreciation and thanks to the employees that make my days enjoyable.

            Writing these letters really made me realize how much we, as humans, take for granted. Sometimes we just expect people to do things for us, just to make it easier on ourselves. This is a negative quality to have as an individual. It made me realize how much these people do for me consistently. I learned to appreciate everything, even the small things. When I handed letters/thank you letter to the employees, their faces lit up. This is something that they have never received before, many of them said. They really appreciated the fact that I went out of my way to thank them and wish them a Happy Holidays. They kept saying how nice it was of me to do it, even though what they do for me is way more. All of them seemed very happy and satisfied, which I was very happy to see. I hope I left a long lasting impact on everyone. I hope they take what I did and pass the random acts of kindness on, sparking a chain reaction of positivity throughout. Improving someone’s day, even by just a little bit is very satisfying and feels really good to focus your attention on others. It’s a win-win situation for the individual performing the service as well as the one who is receiving it. Helping others and completing random acts of kindness can really make out world a better place to live. Thank you for assigning this and for everything…I really enjoyed your class!

Service Project: My family means the world to me and my goal is to return all of the sacrifices and love they ever gave to me.

           (Student Essay Fall 2015)

 “The purpose of life is not to be happy. It is to be useful, to be honorable, to be compassionate, to have it make some difference that you have lived and lived well.” 
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

            Ever since I can remember, I have always considered myself a humanitarian. I have a very small family that mainly just consists of my mother, stepfather, older sister, and adopted brother. I am also very close to my father but I don’t see him as often since he lives in Europe. My family means the world to me and my goal is to return all of the sacrifices and love they ever gave to me. I have always put my family first in everything and anything I do, their opinions and feelings towards something that involves me is very important to me. I do everything so they could be proud of me. I am a friendly person and believe I am very social and approachable. When it comes to close personal friends, I don’t have many but the ones that I do have, have been my friends for years and I almost see them as my sisters. My friends and I always do favors for each other and we know when to return a favor as well. 

            Since I was younger, I have always loved animals. I have great sympathy for them and I believe in vegetarianism. My mother always talks about how when I was younger and we would go to the grocery store and we would be in the meat section, I would say things like “why do they have to do that” and “that’s not right”. 

            For my service project proposal I will be volunteering in Elders Helpers in Tallahassee. The mission is to volunteer to help elders for the activities you enjoy, on a schedule that works best for you and in my case it would be on the weekends and when I have off from school, Tuesdays and Thursdays. Activities that I enjoy would include arts and walks outside such as watching the sunset. One thing I learned about elderly people is that it doesn’t matter what conversation it going on, they just like to talk about anything and everything, they love engaging in conversations and proudly opening up their opinion. Before my grandmother passed away inAugust, we would sit in the living room and start talking about any event in history, the news, or what went on during that day. I know that elderly people love to talk to someone who just hears them out when they talk about their lives and the things they went through. I consider myself to be a great listener, many people comes to me for advice and such, so I think this selection for my service project suited me exactly. Their volunteers are willing to help with, carrying groceries, run errands, give rides, entertain (i.e. sing, dance, and make you laugh!), help out with making phone calls, writing letters and reading, help with cleaning and help with cooking. I have engaged myself in many conversations with the elderlies that live there but one who I enjoy very much talking to is named Mrs. White. 

Mrs. White loves to talk about her grandchildren and her husband. She is widowed but has told me some amazing stories and memories they both made together throughout their marriage. I love to sit and listen to her because it’s almost like the perfect love story; they met when they were both really young and instantly fell in love and were married for about 47 years. Mrs. White always asks about my life as well. She knows I am a college student who loves to bake! I even made her “slutty brownies” one time (brownie, cookie, and Oreo baked all together) and she absolutely loved it and never had anything like it before. I can tell she really enjoys my company and our conversations. I plan on continuing to go as long as I am in Tallahassee. Mrs. White knows I will be gone for three weeks during winter break and three months during the summer break. So far, it has been an amazing experience and it feels more than amazing to give back.

Service Project: A Book for Alex (The Secret): Alex told me it touched his heart…it was a compassion that something as slight as conversation, filled a big void for him.

Kyra Cooper

12/11/15

AMH2020

Service Project Essay

            Now after reading the pressures of “better” having a good quote to open my essay, I considered playing it safe and just using one of the few you selected. But really where’s the risk in that? So I decided to google some things and there’s was one simple but yet sovereign to my heart. Said best by Steve Maraboli, “A kind gesture can reach a wound that only compassion can heal,” written in the book “Life, the Truth, and Being Free.” I chose this quote because it meant more than the action of giving and doing a good deed for another, to me, it meant healing internally not only for the receiver but the giver as well. Spending my first Thanksgiving away from my own family and home was new to me, but I wouldn’t have rather spent it anywhere else. The feeling of being away and on your own can be unreal to some but for a lot of people walking the world, it’s not. We as people take advantage of the things we’re blessed with and don’t realize how much of a blessing we can be to others until it happens. Deciding to make Veteran’s Village my stop for the day, made an inspiration named “Alex” possible. After serving the vets dinner and breaking off to mingle, I met Alex. Now, I’m not one to judge a book by its cover but the tats and “vato” look gave me straight CALIFORNIA! As we began to talk, I later found out I was right. From the outside looking in you probably would never imagine that this guy has risked his own life for us as citizens to live ours. That’s where Alex and I could relate. We spoke about stereotypes and where we both have come from in life but this is far from about me, and to be completely honest, I don’t know who impacted who the most! Alex is the definition of “Triumph” in my eyes. He spoke to me about his past with his wife and newborn on the way and how one day his life took a complete turn. With a series of unfortunate events, Alex not only separated from what he called “the love of his life,” but he lost his own precious creation, and to add to that later found himself living under a bridge in Tallahassee. After hearing that alone, I didn’t really understand or know how my young, less experienced in life, words could help him but I tried not to think that way anyways. Feeling nothing but compassion for him and what he’s been through I couldn’t do anything but applaud Alex on where he’s come today. This man stands at about 6ft 1 or 2 inches, approx. 200 or so pounds, and God fearing with a heart of a Lion. Hearing Alex’s story, which I don’t want to go into TOO many details about, will forever live with me. I began to talk to him about how I cope with my troubles and stress in life. We started to talk about God and just always believing not only in yourself but having Faith that God will always provide. One thing Alex told me that sticks with me the most is the way he would Question his life “Why God? Why Me?” are a few he would often ask himself. Right then and there is where I introduced Alex to....“The Secret.” The Secret is a book and film written by a Rhonda Byrne. When Alex told me he loved to read I HAD to convince him to read this book sometime in his life. “The Secret” is based on the Human ability of the Law of Attraction. It claims that positive thinking, positive energies, and strong faith released into the atmosphere from one can create life-changing results in increased happiness, wealth, and health. Now you’re probably thinking “Yea right,” and that’s okay because when I first heard about it as well, I felt the same way. Alex comes from a spiritual background so he knows a thing or two about faith, so it didn’t take much convincing. I wanted Alex to read the book first, and watch the movie, to just give him an edge on his thinking. I briefly told him what it was about and how I’ve changed my daily ways of living to manifest my own dreams and how it works.

I had to make Alex more of a believer so I went on to tell him about myself and a friend of mine, the same person I called “The love of my life,” & he could of course relate. Long story short, I told Alex that my ex-boyfriend and I would sit together in his sauna, and how one day his mom introduced us to “the secret.” Ever since that day we would just talk about where our life would be, and how we would manifest it. My ex, his names Dee, he’s an artist. Well he’s come very far from doing tattoos in his mom’s basement, he and one of the most famous celebrities of our time are not only business partners, but friends. I told Alex we used to talk about it as if we’re a dream. I was the Rihanna look alike, as people would say, and all his tattoos would make him resemble Chris Brown. We were the knockoff couple! Ha-ha. But we would talk about how one day we would be around them and how he and Chris would one day become friends. 4 years later and he lives with him basically. They’re legit best friends. I went on to tell Alex how were not together anymore, but to watch his dreams come true before our eyes, I can’t help but to be not only proud but inspired. I told him about Dee because I wanted him to be inspired too. I wanted him to know that it could happen for him too. That true love would walk into his arms that he wouldn’t have to find it, and how one day he’ll have the family he dreamed of.  I went on to tell him you can manifest and become anything you put your mind to, it’s “The Secret,” and its right in the palms of your hands. He would be a pastor before he knew it with hard work, faith, and dedication. My service project is more than any monetary value, but a simple kind gesture of conversation. Alex told me it touched his heart…it was a compassion that something as slight as conversation, filled a big void for him.

Something told me Alex would be a while before he got to it himself so to put a little fire under his butt the girls and I decided to put our money together to order “The Secret,” the book and the film for Alex to read and watch on our terms! I HATE I couldn’t give it to him myself BUT I have made up my mind that that won’t be the last time we see each other. Class is over but I will most definitely be back to Veteran’s Village. Send my love to Alex, and I hope he tells you about it Melissa!

Service Project: It gives me great peace knowing that there is one less person that has to go without this winter

Intelligence plus character-that is the goal of true education.

― Martin Luther King Jr

Being an intelligent individual with great personality and great characteristics can take you very far in life. Good character can be found in individuals who are humble, and have a giving heart. A person with a giving hear will assist others and never look for anything in return. For my service project I purchased a set of gloves, socks, and hat for Luke. I know that some people may have a rough start to getting back on their feet, that’s why I never had a problem with giving to the less fortunate or those in need. This community service project has made me extremely grateful and appreciative of the things I have in life. It has made me realize that I can make a difference in someone’s life by simply giving them something that can easily be taking for granted. Although I didn’t give the items to Luke personally, I am sure he was greatly appreciative of them. I felt very honored and proud of myself for doing something for someone.   Knowing that my gifts would give Luke the proper attire for the winter made me extremely joyful. I believe this kind jester reminded Luke that he’s not alone, and that there are still some kind hearted individuals who care about the well-being of others. This project served as an eye opener for me, showing me that there is work to be done to help serve those in need. This project played a major impact on my educational path, because it reminds me of the people who invested their time and effort into me It gives me great peace knowing that there is one less person that has to go without this winter. Although I wasn’t able to volunteer somewhere for my service project, I am happy that I can still help somebody from miles away.

Service Project: I find joy in knowing that this Christmas, someone will feel loved

(Student Essay Fall 2015)

“We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that.” - Ellen DeGeneres

            Although I have done many projects like this one before, buying things for veterans that have very little has made me realize how grateful I should be with all that I have. I am very glad that I got the opportunity to help someone out, even if it is in such a small way. After receiving the list of suggestions to buy for these people, it was brought to my attention that others need some of the things I often take for granted. I have always loved to help people. I find joy in knowing that this Christmas, someone will feel loved and thought of when receiving the box I provided for them. Although I have never met the person to whom the box will go to, I am confident that he will be happy when he receives it. It is always nice to know that you are though of. I am hoping to do more projects like this one in the near future, because I believe that everyone should feel loved, especially during the holidays. It makes me sad in knowing that these men fought for our country, and now are living on very little. I hope the supplies I bought for the veteran will be useful to him in his life.

Service Project: The impact this experience had on my education is it gave me wisdom and with wisdom comes growth

(Student Essay Fall 2015)

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” –Mahatma Gandhi

 The act of my service project was being a part of the veteran’s village. Even though the act of this started from wanting to earn bucks for class it become more than just that. See that my teacher was not only a wonderful teacher she also had a big heart. It amazed me that out of her busy life she still found time to help others. In that instant a bell went off in my head saying the little things matter, I could be a part of this too. The wonderful experience I received while attending the village was awesome. My first day there I was a little shy and didn’t know what to say or how to interact with the vets. But like someone once told me nerve judge a book by its cover. We are all humans who make mistakes and have wonderful stories to tell that will influence someone’s life. Just being able to have conversation with the vets showed me how humble they were and opened minded about things. To see how happy they were to have a meal well family dinner I should say because, while they eat we would talk to them. 

We became family, meaning they wanted the best for us to continue to do well in school to keep our head up to never give up the looked forward into seeing us every Thursday and I know I did too. On the days I missed out I only let myself down. At dinner time was catching up time talking about tons of different things from how was your day, do you have kids, and even giving us nicknames. Doing this showed me that the little things matter in life. Sharing my blessing upon someone else, me even having the money to cook food so that would have a home cook meal was the sharing of my blessings. The different vets had different personalities, they were all different in their own little way. These are people who sacrifice their life for us in the military and all we had to do was sacrifice a little time for them.

 The impact this experience had on my education is it gave me wisdom and with wisdom comes growth It made me look and life and people period in a different way. It also made me praise the fact that I am able to attend college more. Meaning taking my classes more serious than I have before putting more time into studying because at a blink of an eye it could all be taken away from you. 

Never take life for granted on of the vets told me one day. And every sine than it become a huge eye opener. I feel as though they impacted our life’s just as much as we impacted theirs. Just showing them that the world still cares about vets and never gave up on them impacted there life, vets are not forgotten. Like I said before the little things matter just seeing us might’ve made them smile of brighten up there day. This impacted the community and my peers that there is more to life than going out and hanging with friends you can have fun doing things for others making someone else smile and not just yourself. This act of service will encourage my peers and friends to want to go out and make a different on someone’s life, and maybe even finding themselves in the service of others.

           

Service Project: I have never felt so good in my life going to Wal-Mart

(Student Essay Fall 2015)

As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands, one for helping yourself, the other for helping others. - Audrey Hepburn

While I was growing up I was a very involved with Girl Scouts. I have received my bronze and silver award. Since I dropped out of it I haven’t been really involved with the community. While attending this class I had never heard about the Veterans Villages. I did decide to make that my service project because it was something I have never done before. 

I was lucky enough to be apart of one of their Breakfast for Dinner back in October.  I was looking forward to meeting the people, cooking for them, and having them appreciate it. Sadly, I didn’t get to make conversation with the men and women because I was in the kitchen making pancakes. I did enjoy listening to the veterans talk about there day and sometimes a couple of them talked about the wars but it was not in much detail, plus they were just proceeding along down the food line. 

Since I knew that would not be enough I wrote 5 letters to one of the veterans in hope that it will bring a smile to there face and know someone is thinking about them, especially this close to the holidays. Speaking of the holidays I did decided to sponsor a veteran. I was never given a name though.  I have never felt so good in my life going to Wal-Mart and being someone actual Christmas. I bought two large body towels, one wash clothes, one face towel, a bath mat, a digital fm/am radio alarm clock, and a reusable water bottle. 

I really hope they enjoy the gifts as much as I enjoyed getting them. Which I’m sure they will. I feel this is going to make a major impact on someone because they know that there is hope and life isn’t as bad as they feel. Having that little bit of hope can go a very long way and even make a life change. I believe this is such a great idea to have in a class because many college students are not involved in the community, when they should be. Life isn’t just about partying, but it is about giving back to people that don’t have it as good as you. 

Service Project: You never know how happy can you make others feel with just a little of you.

 (Student Essay Fall 2015)

“We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, and more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that. - Ellen DeGeneres”

 The holidays are almost here and not everybody is fortunate to spend it with their families and that motivated me to do for my service project adopt a veteran for Christmas.

 Our veterans have  sacrificed most of their lives for all of us so this was a really good opportunity to give them back just a little bit of what they have made for us. That’s why I decided to do this because it makes me happy to know that someone out there will get a gift from someone that do not know him/her but is thankful for his/her services. This project also make me realize how much I have and I don’t appreciate, sometimes we have everything and we do not realize how blessed we are until we see others and start thinking about what they have. A little piece of you, or a little sacrifice from you can change others life and that’s what life is about it, to make others happy with all that little and easy things in life. I hope my veteran enjoys his/her gift even thou is something little but I really hope that he/she can smile when he/she get it.

Maybe this issomething little, but it  can mean something really big to them and that’s what makes me happy about this project because  you never know how happy can you make others feel with just a little of you.

Service Project: My idea was to just finish it and get a grade

(Student Essay Fall 2015)

The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.         -Mahatma Gandhi

Starting my service project I had no intentions on finding the meaning of this project, my idea was to just finish it and get a grade. That all changed when I noticed that I went all out of way trying to figure out what my veteran would need the most. I began to think of what I would greatly appreciate, like a nice soft pillow or some comfy house warming slippers to slide on . I felt as if it was the simple things that really started my mornings off right and felt that I can hand that same feeling down to some one else. For my service project I adopted a veteran. Mostly because I never really got around to the veteran dinners on Thursdays so I figured I would adopted a veteran to have some type of impact on their lives.

 I noticed that people are not as fortunate as I am and at the same time noticing that I mostly complained about what I don’t have. This made me realize that I need to be more grateful and appreciate the little things I have and own because there is always someone less fortunate than I am. Growing up my mother always told me to eat everything on my plate because there someone out there less fortunate than I am. Until this service project I finally realized what she actually meant. Even though I understood, and kind of had a clue of what she was saying it wasn’t until this service project that I actually got into depth of the words she was saying. I think the veteran who received my gifts will be honored and satisfied that I thought of the comforting things. From the clean socks to the fluffed pillows I am sure he would admire the things I got him, and doing so will satisfy me as well. I am proud to say that I took part in achieving something so meaningful onto someone else. “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”

Service Project: Every time I step on the field it is a blessing

(Student Essay Fall 2015  Note: student is a college baseball player) 

“The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” -Mahatma Gandhi. 

For my service project, I read the book “The Prayer of the Laughing Yoga Frog” and sent box of miscellaneous candies and cookies to a boy named Alex Lehr. 

Alex is a boy who has a physical condition that limits him tremendously. He can’t do many things by himself, so it made me feel good to be able to help him, even if it’s something small like sending him some simple food. People have taken advantage of him before, and it makes me feel good to be able to help him. 

He can’t shop for himself, so I would like to think that I helped him. This service project has helped me be thankful for the ability to play baseball. I am able to go to college for free to play baseball while there are people in the world like Alex who can’t even move fully by themselves. I take my abilities for granted way too often, and this project has helped me realize this. 

Every time I step on the field is a blessing, and I should be more grateful for God giving me this blessing. 

Alex has been through so much in life, yet he still seems to remain positive and that is really inspiring. My biggest worry is striking out while he has to fight for his life. 

I am glad that I did this service project because it has opened my eyes that there are people who have it way worse than I do, and I should be appreciative for all of the blessings God has put into my life. From now on when something does not go my way, I will always remember that I have it easy compared to a lot of people.

Service Project: The look on his face when I handed that sandwich to him was worth more than $1,000 in my book.

 (Student Essay Fall 2015)

This service project was something, in the beginning, that I thought would be one of those hassle projects that I would have to push myself to finish. As soon as I began visiting Veteran’s village, I immediately noticed how the veteran’s made everyone feel welcome and not out of place. The visits to Veteran’s Village soon began to feel more like an opportunity rather than a burden that I had to finish for a grade. It seemed like every time that I visited Veteran’s Village I would have an awesome experience with someone I didn’t the time before.

            These experiences opened my eyes to the gifts of giving. Prior to this, I had little sympathy for those less fortunate. My reasoning to this would always be, “They could get a job if they wanted one.”. The interactions between the veterans and I, made me realize that everyone has their own problems that not many see. One example of this was on the first visit to Veteran’s Village. That night it was breakfast for dinner and was quite busy with volunteers and veterans engulfing the small kitchen/living area that the food was served at. There was this guy that I never got the name of but I think it was G*. He would say, “I want to go down south and be a pilot in Columbia.”. Everyone thought this was hilarious and we all would laugh at his antics and jokes, making the mood more enjoyable. After a few times of him explaining his master plan, you, Dr. Soldani, popped in saying “You need to be worried about your kids in Ohio.”. This shocked me. I thought how did he end up in Tallahassee, while his kids resided in Ohio.

            A few weeks later, someone in the class asked you about him because after that night I had not seen him since. You explained that through his job at Home Depot, he got transferred back to Ohio to be back with his children. During this conversation, I also found out that he had PTSD and that was why he acted the way he did. 

On the outside G* looked like the regular who was going through rough times. In reality, he was a veteran who suffered from the disease that destroys many individuals returning from wars, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder. This experience is one that I will keep with for the rest of my life. 

After this I tried to help out those in need anytime that I could. One night that my girlfriend and I went on a date, I paid for an elderly couples’ meal who looked like they could use some help. Another instance was when I was on the way home from one of my baseball games. It was a late one, left the field at 10 pm, and I stopped at Jersey Mike’s to get a sub on the way home. Outside of the establishment was an obvious homeless man, going through the trash. As I ordered my sub I also ordered one for this man. The look on his face when I handed that sandwich to him was worth more than $1,000 in my book. He exploded with gratitude and gratefulness, saying thank you at least 20 times before I made it back to my truck.

            The experiences that I’ve had since participating and going to Veteran’s Village, are ones that will remain with me until the end of my days.

 I would truly like to thank you Dr. Soldani for everything that you have taught me, inside and outside the classroom. Whether it be the joyful veteran that no one knows struggles everyday with illness or the random homeless person scrounging for their next meal, everyone has a story. This semester has been one to truly change my outlook on life and can be explained though Mrs. DeGeneres’ quote.“We need more kindness, more compassion, more joy, more laughter. I definitely want to contribute to that.” - Ellen DeGeneres. I now know that everyone has their demons, whether they choose to show them or not and I would like to help whenever possible. It makes feel great that my donation for, Tom, a veteran at VV is going to some who truly will be grateful.

Service Project: For My Project, I Published a Book....

(student essay Fall 2015)

"Every person, all the events of your life are there because you have drawn them there. What you choose to do with them is up to you."-Richard Bach

For my service project I wrote a thorough essay on my family history. It started off as just the story of my six great uncles who fought together in world war II; but there were so many other interesting stories about my family to share that I hadn't even know about. Being able to gather all of these stories and facts together in one place was an amazing experiences. I will be happy to give the book to the ones I wrote about who are still alive today. My Uncle Steve, Aunt Sophie, and Grandpa Thomas will all greatly appreciate seeing the many stories and experiences they shared when they were younger together in one place for everyone to see and to never be lost. I'm happy to also share their tales with everyone else in the world and I hope it teaches everyone how no matter how bad things may be; if you work hard enough you will be able to make it to the top. My Great Grandfather John was from a very poor family and over the years his children almost made an empire with their businesses they developed in America. I am sure he is very proud of all of them; especially Frank and Joe who fought for the rest of America to be able to achieve that dream of rising to the top.

Here is the link to the published book: https://www.createspace.com/5915700

Along with my father I plan to continue to add more and more stories to this book and be able to share them all with the world.

Service Project: I plan on making an impact in the children’s lives, and why not start today?

(Fall 2015 Student)

I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.- Maya Angelou

People talk about the future of this world and worry about the intelligence of the people we will be leaving it to, yet there doesn’t seem to be a big rush to change the way we teach these upcoming children. There is so much violence in the world but we aren’t teaching love to counter that. There’s fights but that’s because discipline has been moved out of schools. Children go to school and learn things that may be important for a bit but in the long run won’t help them succeed in life. The school system needs to teach life skills, how to get along with each other, how to serve, how to run a bank account and pay taxes, instead of worrying so much about test scores and how many math formulas you can memorize.

For my service project I went into a small private run preschool, which has only about 45 children. There have so many nice things said about this school, the love it has for its children, the kind teachers, and the way that all the children love to come back every day. This is the kind of school I want to be a part of one day. I want to make an impact on children’s lives and show them the beauty in the world. My sister teaches three days a week and has about 8 children who are 2 or 3. I got the pleasure of going in and spending time with them, reading them books, and singing songs. I loved seeing the joy in their eyes when I would pull out a book and the little ways they would dance to the songs. At this age these babies are so innocent and so easily influenced. These should be primary teaching times. My favorite moments were when I would knock on the door and hear from inside all the little voices yelling, “Miss Jill’s here!” What love.

I’ve heard the stories, and seen the stress of teaching from my sister, but I am excited for those parts as well. I plan on making an impact in the children’s lives, and why not start today?

The quote at the start of this paper is applicable to this topic in the way that the little lives you touch may not remember how you picked them up and held them after they fell down but they'll remember how you made them feel better, or how you gave them a snack after a long day at school but they'll remember how you provided for them. Feelings stick around even after the specific memory may have passed.