Lucy Ephrem

How did your direct service benefit members of the broader community?
My service at Toys for Tots allowed me to organize and line up the toy collection in preparation for it to be given out to children in poverty. It looks over children in need around Christmas time and has a positive impact on the community as it leaves a beneficial effect on the development of children.
Which population(s) did you serve?
I served the youth in need because these toys make all the difference on Christmas day for these young impressionable kids. It gives them a newfound sense of hope.
What was their reaction to you/your group being there?
The event coordinators were so happy to see my group arrive because we provided so much aid in getting the overwhelming amount of toys organized. There was a lot of work to be done, so every helping hand was greatly appreciated.
What skills did you develop or improve through your direct service?
I developed my organizational skills tremendously. I had to count and make sure the inventory at each table was proper and I also had to make sure the items going into the dropboxes were spatially placed.
Did you work individually or as part of a team during your service? How did that
impact your experience?
I worked as part of a team during this service. I had to work with my team members to find out the best way to make sure the toys were adequately organized in their right categories. They needed to be divided into age groups and gender and it was a tedious and time-consuming task that would have been so draining to sort alone.
What impact do you think your service had on you?
This service gave me time to self-reflect on the extent of things I can do to help others. If people are in need, the least I can do is take a couple of hours out of my life to help benefit my community. Every little bit of help I can provide will leave an impact, regardless of how big or small.

My Reflecti++++++++++++++++++++++++




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How did your direct service benefit members of the broader community?
My service at Toys for Tots allowed me to help unpack the massive toy collection and do a head count after organizing each different item and putting it in its respective tables. Doing all of this labor involving the toys provided the preparation for this holiday season. The children in need were looked over by this nonprofit organization that leaves positive impact on the community by giving the kids hope around Christmas time when they see all of these fun items that have a beneficial effect on the development of their childhood.
Which population(s) did you serve?
I served the children in need because the gifts they end up seeing under the tree are provided by this selfless organization. Toys for Tots makes all the difference on Christmas day because seeing joy and happiness from the items donated does a lot for these young impressionable kids.
What was their reaction to you/your group being there?
The event coordinators were thankful to see my group be there with eager helping hands. There was so much work that needed to be done in the earlier sessions of this service opportunity. We were doing true warehouse work because we were still taking inventory while organizing all the goods. Every group and helping hand there was greatly appreciated because there was so much that needed to be done, and the more the merrier.
What skills did you develop or improve through your direct service?
I developed my patience along with my organizational skills. I had to count each toy or game and make sure the numbers aligned with the anticipated inventory number. I had to make sure we had enough donations in stock for this organization to be able to fulfill its traditional duties, so there was quite a bit of pressure on us volunteers.
Did you work individually or as part of a team during your service? How did that
impact your experience?
I worked as part of a team during this service. I would not have been able to accurately count and sort out all of these items on my own. It would also be hard to stay motivated on my own because it was one of those tasks that could easily begin to feel like boring busy work when I got tired.
What impact do you think your service had on you?
This service allowed me to take a minute and think about how much good is still left in this world. We often overlook the good things like this organization, merely existing to benefit and boost the spirits of those in need. Not only does this service benefit the children's morales, but also the families. Every family in need can worry about one less thing during the holiday season because of Toys for Tots' generosity to the community. It made me come to terms with the fact that I can also be the good in the world. I obviously might not have as big an impact as Toys for Tots does but I definitely can still contribute whatever I am capable of which will add to the positivity of my community.

Rebekah Fahey  3 years ago Hi Lucy, please update your reflection according to the guiding questions on page 18 of the EL Handbook.