Volunteer Hero

If you ever want to feel like a rock star, then all you have to do it volunteer. It's astonishing the response you get out of elementary kids when you walk into the building. They are all clamouring for you attention and trying to rush up and and give you a hug or get some kind of individualized attention. It's an amazing feeling to realize that you make a difference in some one's life with such a small act of volunteerism. I may have been out of the PTO and elementary scene for awhile but I still try to find ways to give back when I can.

I realize that the reason I volunteer is not only for the benefit of my children but a driven need to make that distinction. I was lucky enough to have a single mother that realized that she wasn't able to focus all her attention on me and knew that I would benefit from a program that the community provided. I was enrolled in the Big Brothers & Big Sisters of America during my childhood in L.A. The Big Sis that I was matched up with helped define the woman I am today.

I will never forget the years of weekend events that we attended together. She made me feel heard....just like in Avatar, she saw me.

So this week I was given another chance to possibly influence another set of youth. The college that I am currently enrolled, set up a service week for the students to participate with the Simon Youth Foundation (sadly I am disappointed in the small percentage of students who give up their free time). So here I am all excited for the bus of elementary students to arrive and I picked my outfit accordingly. I am a fashion student after all, I go for a "teacheresque" look of primary colors and a homemade finger knit necklace. I am okay with the idea of getting messy with the paints and am ready to go......Except for the fact that the bus unloads and it's all high schoolers. Yikes! This is no problem though, I can downshift easily and adjust to this slight change of demographics. They were definitely a harder crowd to please but with a tour of the school, some Q & A, and a heated debate over the Superbowl ( We had a loyal Saints fan in the mix, among many Colts supporters) we were looking good.

So what is the point to all this? You never know in what way you influence another being but if shield yourself from volunteer events you may never get the opportunity. You impact people everyday of your life, good or bad. I have a specific McDonald's I go to just for a drink...My reasoning? Miss Joann in the drive-thru, who calls me sweetie or sugar and tells me to "Have a Beautiful Day". Because of her, I do!