Skills and Personal Development: I aspire to be a future educator, so filling up these backpacks means so much to students and teachers alike. Though I may not be able to give 500 students a backpack with supplies in it every year, this experience has influenced me to begin with one. One student. One backpack. One school.
Understanding and Awareness: I noticed that a toothbrush was given to each backpack. For me, personally, I think that says enough in itself. There are some families who go without essentials with needs that are not being met, and they can be, if the community is willing to come together and give back.
Relationships and Teamwork: We certainly worked as a team. At first, there were few people, but then more and more people came trickling in which was an amazing sight to see. Before we knew it, 500 backpacks had been packed in no time. Some people jumped in to help the distributors open the remaining of their supplies, so they didn't have to. This proved effective sine it allowed the pace to remain steady and moving.
Organizational Impact and Alignment: The mission and purpose for the Center for Service and Learning and Volunteerism is to provide meaningful volunteer experiences through community partnerships and develop students, faculty, and staff into advocates for social change. This opportunity emphasis our responsibility to support students through education, provide assistance by meeting the need, and serving with a smile.
Reflection and Improvement: We ran out of pencils. However, which I do commend Mr. Ryan for, he came up with a solution on the spot and had everyone sort through the backpacks to find the ones without a pencil, so that each will be given a pencil. When there was no line, it was a big blob of people which no one can move in that. However, this did sort itself out in the end.
Rebekah gave to Days Of Service