Lending a Helping Hand

I find joy in helping others and lending a hand. I have been a part of small projects and larger ones also. Recently, I worked at Kids Against Hunger, a non-profit organization that produces thirteen ounce packets of food that feed a family of six. Millions of these bags have been sent out of the country and some are even given out in the community that they were produced. The nutrients and vitamins in this meal help fight hunger and disease in malnourished countries. I helped put together a couple hundred packets in Cairo, GA.

On a larger scale, I went on a mission trip to Honduras when I was thirteen. I thought I was way in over my head while I was there because most of the work being done was for the strong men that were there. I cut wire for re-bar that went towards the building of a parsonage. While I was there, I spent a lot of time with the young children that would come to the house and play. All of the little girls loved to play with our Caucasian girls' hair because of the texture difference. I know now what I didn't know before. That two week long trip out of the country changed the way I feel about those that need help. I have so much compassion and my heart aches every time I see people that are hurting physically, emotionally, and spiritually. 

Another community service that I have partaken in was the yearly Special Olympics Bocce Ball tournament that is hosted at Westwood School. I was a colored sand and stained glass guru, helping with arts and crafts. Seeing all their smiling faces made my day. Knowing that I helped to make their day enjoyable, is something I will never forget.

Over Spring Break my Freshman year of high school, I along with about twenty other students went to Panama City to do mission work. We cleaned yards, sorted a mass warehouse of canned goods, and did many other things to help out in the more poverty stricken parts of the city and surrounding area. We stayed at Surfside Christian Retreat Center in Sunnyside and had tons of fun on our limited down time. Some of the work I participated in was at the Boys and Girls Club. They had overgrown landscape that needed cutting back and after the labor was finished we had the opportunity to play with the kids that were there. Their smiling faces and joyful spirits brighten my day because I knew they were happy to have someone to care about them for a while. I had numerous random hugs from children. One of the little boys taught me all the strategies of beating the game of bowling on the Wii. I had an amazing week in Panama City and I'm sure our work helped and was appreciated by all the people we touched.  Our group got interviewed by two of the local news channels (13 and 7 Panama City) because they thought the public should hear some good news about students spending their Spring Break helping others.