It was a cold Saturday morning in November. I put on my big puffy jacket, my cheetah print gloves, and headed to the car with my dad. We were going to get dessert, lots of desserts, from our local Stop and Shop. We then drove 20 minutes to the church where the soup kitchen was being held. This was my first time volunteering at a soup kitchen so I did not know what to expect beyond bringing dessert for many people. My dad had signed me up believing in the importance of giving back to those who are having a tough time. At the soup kitchen, my task was to scoop out rice for the people in line. I put my latex gloves on and was ready. My dad helped hold the large container of rice in place, and I scooped the grains of rice onto the people’s plate – two scoops of rice and beans per person. It was so very clear, from the people’s faces, that they were grateful. The smiles and the “thank you’s”, and everything in between made me really love what I was doing. I had such an amazing time meeting and seeing all different types of people and hearing their stories. After that day, I made sure to tell my mom and my dad to sign me up for any activities that allowed me to help others. My participation in Jack and Jill of America has provided me with many opportunities to give back. On the MLK Day of Service, I gave goods and toiletries to people in need and assembled “Barb’s bags”, handing out bags filled with cosmetics and lotions for women going through chemotherapy. Once, at a homeless shelter, I met a girl my age and gave her an American Girl doll as a Christmas gift; we talked about the dolls and their stories for a long time. Volunteering is what makes me come alive. It makes me feel like I have a purpose in my community. I am not rich and have suffered my own tragedy with the death of my dad, but I am thankful for all that I have: I have enough to eat every day, have a nice bedroom to sleep in at night, an Apple iPhone to text my friends on, and my own computer to do my schoolwork. I have more than enough and more than many people living in Mt. Vernon. This is why I love to help others because no matter what you have, there is someone out there who has less. In the end little did I know that buying desserts and handing out scoops of rice would foster a desire to commit part of my life to helping others.

It was a cold Saturday morning in November. I put on my big puffy jacket, my cheetah print gloves, and headed to the car with my dad. We were going to get dessert, lots of desserts, from our local Stop and Shop. We then drove 20 minutes to the church where the soup kitchen was being held. This was my first time volunteering at a soup kitchen so I did not know what to expect beyond bringing dessert for many people. My dad had signed me up believing in the importance of giving back to those who are having a tough time. My dad helped hold the large container of rice in place, and I scooped the grains of rice onto the people’s plate – two scoops of rice and beans per person. It was so very clear, from the people’s faces, that they were grateful. The smiles and the “thank you’s”, and everything in between made me really love what I was doing. After that day, I made sure to tell my mom and my dad to sign me up for any activities that allowed me to help others. My participation in Jack and Jill of America has provided me with many opportunities to give back. On the MLK Day of Service, I gave goods and toiletries to people in need and assembled “Barb’s bags”, handing out bags filled with cosmetics and lotions for women going through chemotherapy. Once, at a homeless shelter, I met a girl my age and gave her an American Girl doll as a Christmas gift; we talked about the dolls and their stories for a long time. Volunteering is what makes me come alive.

It was a cold Saturday morning in November. I put on my big puffy jacket, my cheetah print gloves, and headed to the car with my dad. We were going to get dessert, lots of desserts, from our local Stop and Shop. We then drove 20 minutes to the church where the soup kitchen was being held. This was my first time volunteering at a soup kitchen so I did not know what to expect beyond bringing dessert for many people. My dad had signed me up believing in the importance of giving back to those who are having a tough time. At the soup kitchen, my task was to scoop out rice for the people in line. I put my latex gloves on and was ready. My dad helped hold the large container of rice in place, and I scooped the grains of rice onto the people’s plate – two scoops of rice and beans per person. It was so very clear, from the people’s faces, that they were grateful. The smiles and the “thank you’s”, and everything in between made me really love what I was doing. I had such an amazing time meeting and seeing all different types of people and hearing their stories. After that day, I made sure to tell my mom and my dad to sign me up for any activities that allowed me to help others. My participation in Jack and Jill of America has provided me with many opportunities to give back. On the MLK Day of Service, I gave goods and toiletries to people in need and assembled “Barb’s bags”, handing out bags filled with cosmetics and lotions for women going through chemotherapy. Once, at a homeless shelter, I met a girl my age and gave her an American Girl doll as a Christmas gift; we talked about the dolls and their stories for a long time. Volunteering is what makes me come alive. It makes me feel like I have a purpose in my community. I am not rich and have suffered my own tragedy with the death of my dad, but I am thankful for all that I have: I have enough to eat every day, have a nice bedroom to sleep in at night, an Apple iPhone to text my friends on, and my own computer to do my schoolwork. I have more than enough and more than many people living in Mt. Vernon. This is why I love to help others because no matter what you have, there is someone out there who has less. I saw a quote from a BU sorority member named Anu Manne who said “From attending countless philanthropy events to being Tri Delta's philanthropy chair and having the opportunity to visit St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, our philanthropic partner, I have been able to witness the positive impact that Greek life can have.” As a BU student, I would passionately participate in volunteer work while in a sorority or as a member of the Community Service Center. As a strong African American woman, I would take my love for community service to the Boston University Black Student Union and help with any outreach programs they have to assist underprivileged Black families. In the end little did I know that buying desserts and handing out scoops of rice would foster a desire to commit part of my life to helping others.

It was a cold Saturday morning in November. I put on my big puffy jacket, my cheetah print gloves, and headed to the car with my dad. We were going to get dessert, lots of desserts, from our local Stop and Shop. We then drove 20 minutes to the church where the soup kitchen was being held. This was my first time volunteering at a soup kitchen so I did not know what to expect beyond bringing dessert for many people. My dad had signed me up believing in the importance of giving back to those who are having a tough time. At the soup kitchen, my task was to scoop out rice for the people in line. I put my latex gloves on and was ready. My dad helped hold the large container of rice in place, and I scooped the grains of rice onto the people’s plate – two scoops of rice and beans per person. It was so very clear, from the people’s faces, that they were grateful. The smiles and the “thank you’s”, and everything in between made me really love what I was doing. I had such an amazing time meeting and seeing all different types of people and hearing their stories. After that day, I made sure to tell my mom and my dad to sign me up for any activities that allowed me to help others. My participation in Jack and Jill of America has provided me with many opportunities to give back. On the MLK Day of Service, I gave goods and toiletries to people in need and assembled “Barb’s bags”, handing out bags filled with cosmetics and lotions for women going through chemotherapy. Once, at a homeless shelter, I met a girl my age and gave her an American Girl doll as a Christmas gift; we talked about the dolls and their stories for a long time. Volunteering is what makes me come alive. It makes me feel like I have a purpose in my community. I am not rich and have suffered my own tragedy with the death of my dad, but I am thankful for all that I have: I have enough to eat every day, have a nice bedroom to sleep in at night, an Apple iPhone to text my friends on, and my own computer to do my schoolwork. I have more than enough and more than many people living in Mt. Vernon. This is why I love to help others because no matter what you have, there is someone out there who has less. In the end, little did I know that buying desserts and handing out scoops of rice would foster a desire to commit part of my life to helping others.