Legacy
Essay Winners - Fall 2006
| The joy and satisfaction
in serving |
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"There is a lady who attends my church. Though her real age
is 38, and her body is that of an adult, she has the mind
and emotions of a pre-adolescent girl. She is one of the
friendliest people I have ever met. She knows nothing of
holding a grudge against someone, only showing love and care
for others. Since my friend is a member of Midland Association
for Retarded Citizens (MARC), I decided to do my volunteer
hours at there. As I volunteered, I experienced something
special. The MARC participants gazed at me as if I were a
celebrity. The lady I knew immediately announced to everyone
in the room, “This is my friend Hannah.” They
all seemed like children — innocent and enthusiastic.
But, no one seemed to feel the need to impress; there was
no pretense or judgment. They loved on each other in spite
of their disabilities. They delighted in the simplest things
and never seemed to feel sorry for themselves. I am convinced
that we could all learn a great deal — like genuine
forgiveness and caring about one another — from the
people at MARC. When one serves, two people are blessed,
the one who receives the service and the one who serves.
I personally found joy and satisfaction in serving at MARC.
I hope to always be one who is willing to serve." |
| Seeing the Hope |
“Rays of Hope Children’s Grief Center is a
community outreach of Hospice of
Midland. Its mission is to help grieving children and their
families. The facility
provides a safe environment where grieving children learn
that they are
not alone in dealing with the tough circumstances life
sometimes brings. Upon entering the doors of Rays of Hope
for the first time and seeing the colored tiles, bright
walls, musical instruments, teddy bears and bright faces,
I knew I had chosen the right spot to do my community service.
The woman who helped found Rays of Hope, Vicki Jay, took
me under her wing and revealed to me the beauty and magic
that can happen after the dark days of grief. I heard stories
of deaths, incarcerations, suicides, and divorces affecting
kids and teenagers from miles, but I
heard hope and energy in their voices. I realized that
life continues on without waiting for anyone to
catch up. Vicki Jay gave me stories to read about what
the children were experiencing: a girl who
watched her best friend drown; and a child who was confused
about why her dad was no longer
allowed to stay at their house. These stories made my heart
ache. Without a place like Rays of Hope,
children would not have a place to turn to in their time
of need. Many times, people just want an
opportunity to open up and share their story. Within the
last year, I have experienced a friend’s suicide
and my own parents’ unexpected divorce, and I know
the value of the guidance and inspiration of the
staff, volunteers, and even the kids who attend Rays of
Hope.” |
| A lasting impression |
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“Former UCLA basketball coach, John Wooden once said “you
cannot live a perfect day without
doing something for someone who will never be able to repay
you.” Through volunteer
projects, I have done something for someone who will never
be able to repay me. For the
annual Santa’s Little Helper community project, I
helped organize the event where each classroom
adopts an underprivileged elementary school student. When
I saw the look of joy on each
little child’s face, it left an impression I will
remember every Christmas. At Thanksgiving,
I helped with a United Way canned food drive. The United
Way truck drivers were astonished
by the number of cans that we had collected. They thanked
us and told us how
many hungry people would now be fed because of our contribution.
In order to raise
money for the Students in Philanthropy grant-making process,
we sold lollipop candy
grams. The money we raised would be matched by the Abell-Hanger
Foundation and distributed
to worthy nonprofit organizations. Who could imagine that
selling lollipop ‘Candy Grams’
would help support so many nonprofit agencies? Through
volunteering, I have become a better person,
and the people I have helped have made a lasting impression
on my life. I would like to thank
Midland’s Legacy foundations for giving me the opportunity
to be more involved in my community and
create a better Midland.” |
| Forever changed for the better |
“When I began volunteering
at
Midland
Children’s Rehabilitation Center
(MCRC), I knew nothing about
hippotherapy, a type of therapeutic
horseback riding, and I
had limited experience
with special-needs kids. I
quickly learned about
handling horses and that
the children were amazing
teachers. Volunteering became my
classroom. Each child taught me
something about character. For
instance, “Joe” was determined to
sit up like a real cowboy.
Gradually, he got strong enough
to travel around the arena sitting
like a pro. Joe taught me to strive
towards a goal. “Jane,” a first grader
with cerebral palsy, taught
me to smile regardless of what
kind of day I’m having. Her face
lit up every time horses were
mentioned. Although she had several
painful days, she always was
smiling and cheerful. I am blessed
to be able to call myself a volunteer
for MCRC. If someone had
asked me why I was volunteering
in hippotherapy on that first afternoon,
I would have responded
with ‘I just want to get Legacy
hours.’ Now, I proudly say that I
volunteer because of the children.
I am forever changed for the better
because I volunteered.” |
| It only takes one person |
“Although I have had the
opportunity to volunteer
with many different
people and organizations, my
favorite experience was working
with handicapped children at the
Midland Children’s
Rehabilitation
Center. I was ecstatic
at the opportunity to
help with the hippotherapy
program.
Many of the children I worked with
told me their favorite part of the
day was getting to ride horses after
a tough day at school. These kids
finally found a place where they
could feel normal. I know what it is
like for kids to grow up and be
treated differently. My older brother
is severely handicapped, and it is
nearly impossible to miss the stares
and looks people give handicapped
people. Most people don’t really
know what to do or how to treat
“those kind of people.” From personal
experience, there is no specific
way to “deal with” handicapped
kids. They only want to be treated
normally and feel cared for like
everyone else. Through working
with handicapped kids, I was given
the chance to see that all it takes is
a little time and effort to show
someone they are special. Instead
of seeing life as unfair, they can
focus on the little joys in life. It
only takes one person to show
someone the joy that life can be.” |
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