Sarah Banschbach

During the school year of 2005-2006 and the summer of 2006, I volunteered for several hours each week at the Midland Children’s Rehabilitation Center in their hippo-therapy program.  This program is designed to assist in the rehabilitation or aid in the physical or even mental development of children with muscular or mental disabilities.  It may seem odd that horses can be of benefit to children in their therapy session, but they really are a blessing.  After an eight week session, many children are more flexible or have made rapid strides toward improved balance.  For some, riding horses is a motivation and an incentive to work harder in other areas so as to be able to ride better.  The most drastic improvement that I have witnessed is the severe case of an eleven year old girl who was so self-conscious and shy that she never spoke to anyone but her parents.  She was in the program for several sessions and now she is quite voluble and outgoing.  Her experiences with the horses and the self-reliance and independence she learned contributed to her present contentment and assurance.  Like this girl, many of the children blossom when they become accustomed to the horses and it is the highlight of their week to come to therapy.

For me, I love children and horses and the combination has many rewards.  I have learned much about horses and how to handle them and this has given me a certain confidence and maturity that might have come more slowly than not.  I enjoy helping people, especially people who need my help but are willing to become independent of it.  The children at the rehabilitation center are the most loving children I have ever met and the most willing to try new things.  They are limited in their activities but they always push themselves to their maximum potential and never let a prosthetic leg or an abscessed eye or a therapist’s concern stand in the way of their goals.  It is an amazing thing to witness a child overcome an obstacle and it encourages me to overcome my difficulties.  The therapists are constantly seeking ways of improving the patient and I have never been in a more positive atmosphere.

They say that the way one treats suffering humanity tests and proves one’s own humanity.  My time at the Children’s Rehabilitation Center has been a life enhancing experience and one I will always cherish.  These children have taught me that the simple things in life really are the most important and to recognize the miracle of human life.  Many people think that perhaps these children are sub-human and miserable, but actually they have a very innocent and happy life, loving and being loved.  I hope always to be involved with disabled children because they are so easy to help, so easy to make happy, and so easy to love.  I think these children have made my life more beautiful and more alive and have enriched me in ways that I have yet to discover.  I cannot imagine my life without the influence of my experiences volunteering at the Children’s Rehabilitation Center; not only have I made a mark in a child’s life, but they have left their mark in mine.

Kara Morgan

Volunteering for community service has touched my life in ways that I will remember forever.  I have been a volunteer girl’s soccer coach for seven and eight year olds for the past soccer season.  As the head coach, I have learned to be a more structured and diligent person.  Not only have I had to be a positive role model for the girls, but they have had an enormous influence on me, as well.

Being a positive role model for young children means you must not only “talk the talk, but walk the walk.”  A role model shouldn’t just tell the children to have a good attitude or get along with each other; he or she has to demonstrate it as well.  As a head coach, I have worked diligently to be my team’s role model.  I show up early to all practices and games with enthusiasm, and I make team work a top priority.  Keeping in mind that these girls need to be in a sports program and out of trouble, I have strived to make practices fun while still educating them on the game.

Working with seven and eight year old girls proves the old saying, “Patience is a virtue.” My soccer team taught me that it is essential to be patient.  Trying to listen to ten little voices tell random stories while simultaneously explaining their positions for the game, really tested my nerves.  As their role model, I had to keep my cool through out the games, even with bad calls, rough play, and rule-breaking. These girls have helped me to become a more patient person.
           
Volunteering with children has really opened my heart.  It has made me remember how innocent life is through a child’s eyes.  I have realized that fun and love are two of the most important things in life.  With every game, I am still amazed at the unconditional love that these girls show towards their families, each other, and me.  They try so hard to impress their families and each other. From this season, I have learned that it doesn’t matter whether our team wins or loses, because the girls are still ecstatic to get their snacks at the end of the game regardless of the score.  I now know that the most important thing is that the girls have fun, try hard, and are happy; the details will come later.

My experience with community service has given more sentimental value to my life, than anything else ever will.  To say I have received more than I have given is a huge understatement.  There is nothing that could ever replace the joy my heart feels when I see those ten smiling faces offering all the hugs I could ever want.

Kathryn McDaniel

Volunteering has provided me with many wonderful experiences. Helping others has always proved to be so rewarding. Since I can remember, my parents have stressed the importance of giving back to the community. Their support laid a strong foundation for my life as a volunteer. My many volunteering experiences include working at Midland Memorial Hospital as a junior volunteer, helping the Special Olympics track team, and delivering Meals on Wheels. Volunteering has been a major part of my life with many valuable lessons as an added benefit.

Working at Midland Memorial Hospital as a junior volunteer has been a valuable experience in my life. My many different duties while volunteering at the hospital included running the information desk and gift shop, as well as shredding hospital documents. Managing the information desk allowed me to help guests find patient rooms, deliver flowers, and serve popcorn to all hospital patrons. Running the gift shop allowed me to relate to hospital staff, patients, and guests on a personal level. Working at the hospital provided me with a chance to meet many different kinds of people on a regular basis. The most important thing I learned as a volunteer at Midland Memorial Hospital was the value of taking the time to help others and of listening to someone else’s problems.

Special Olympics also proved to be a valuable volunteering experience. I worked with the Special Olympics track team, helping with practices before a regional track meet. Participating in a regional track meet helped me see how much Special Olympics means to not only the athletes, but their family and friends as well. Spending time with such sweet people taught me the value of retaining a gentle spirit despite the scars life leaves. Choosing to become involved in Special Olympics opened my eyes to a whole new world. Working with the participants forced me to realize that while these people were different from me, they were still amazing individuals with so much to offer society. The most important thing I learned from Special Olympics was the significance of learning to relate with people I might not ordinarily befriend.

Meals on Wheels has, by far, had the most noteworthy impact on my life. I began volunteering for Meals on Wheels at the age of four and was still delivering meals up until the beginning of the fall semester. Through all those years my mom, sister, and I always distributed meals along the same route. Delivering to the same route gave us the opportunity to build lasting relationships with many of the clients. Learning the personal stories of these people has opened my eyes tremendously to the world in which we live. Many of these people are not at a great place in life, yet they continue to see the joy in today and the hope of tomorrow. The most important thing I learned during my years delivering Meals on Wheels was the value of building long-lasting relationships with people, instead of simply passing out food. Volunteering should be as much about a person’s soul as their physical needs.

Volunteering has been a wonderful experience for me and a positive influence in my life. Learning to listen to other people’s problems instead of whining about my own is an important life lesson. Getting to know people I ordinarily wouldn’t come into contact with taught me to approach others with an open mind despite outward appearances. Finally, taking the time to build life-long relationships with people was the most important lesson I gained. Volunteering has proved to be a wonderful teacher in the classroom of life.

Marivelle Olgin

How could I turn down such a huge opportunity as the one offered by the Legacy Scholarship Foundation?  Receiving two years of college in return for a diploma and a few hours of community service was definitely an offer I could not refuse. I am not proud to say that my goal going into places like the Children’s Museum, Christmas in Action, and Ray’s of Hope was only to do what I needed to do in order to get my service sheet signed.  This was true, although I never expected to gain such a greater reward once these hours were completed.  Seeing the faces of the children and the elderly I helped through these services brightened my heart.  I could feel the gratitude of these people simply by receiving their smiles. 

It surprises me that up until now, I have just come to realize how immensely influential those people, agencies, and few hours of service have been to me.  I did not allow my reaching that 80th hour to prohibit me from continuing my service to our community.  My desire to serve has greatly humbled me in my daily walk.  It has brought me to a place I practically call home.  Although Teen F.L.O.W. Youth Ministries was not an agency I worked with to gain my community service requirements, I know that it has been the place where those requirements led me to be.

Seeing the impact one can make on another life is so rewarding.  Not only do I see this from first-hand experience, I see it from the outside looking in as well.  There are youth in our community who are struggling with things many of us could never imagine.  It is hard for teens that have grown only knowing drugs, divorce, hatred, and violence to migrate away from these negative factors.  I have learned that through mediation, encouragement, love, and faith from people who truly care about them, these youth can make a complete life change.  It blesses me to know that my being a part of Teen F.L.O.W. is in a way aiding to the wellness of our future.  The youth of today are indeed the leaders of tomorrow, so it is our responsibility to help guide them towards the right direction. 

I thank the Legacy Scholarship Foundation for giving me a way to learn how important service to our community is. I could not imagine my life now without the love, appreciation, humbleness, and friends I have gained through volunteering.

 Time is the Most Precious Gift

Amy Stretcher

My work experience in community service has been varied.  I have many great memories and stories from over 250 hours of community service that I have done in the past six years, but the two events that have impacted me the most occurred less than a year ago.  The event at Meals on Wheels impacted my life by reminding me that one day I too will be older, and that I hope to display the kindness the elderly on the route showed me.   Meals on Wheels also taught me how precious just a minute of your time is, and the Children’s Museum of the Southwest reminded me of memories long ago.

While I worked for Meals on Wheels, I helped make Christmas packages for the senior citizens.  We had a ten-man assembly line where we placed many items in a big white bag.  We packaged hundreds of fifteen to twenty pound bags in a two-hour time period, and the next day I woke up sore!  However, all the soreness was worth it, because later on in the week I was able to help deliver those very packages that I helped bag.

One of the men on my route was in a wheelchair and needed help putting up his groceries.  I stepped inside and offered to help him.  He gladly accepted and put me to work stocking up his shelves.  Right as I was about to leave he said, “Thank you so much for helping me.  I needed someone, and I’m glad you came along.”  I told him you’re welcome and that it was no problem.  As I was walking down the sidewalk to my car, I realized just how much a minute of your day can help someone else.  Even if it isn’t putting up someone’s groceries, maybe it is just a smile.  This kindly old man made me slow down and realize that there is more to the holiday season than just rushing around buying presents, stressing, and being tired.  He made me realize that every moment counts and that the slightest thing might make the biggest difference.  I know that putting up someone’s groceries is not some Herculean task, but sometimes a Herculean task is not required.  Sometimes it is a simple act of kindness, and the gratefulness on the face of the person you are helping, that makes it all worthwhile.

What I took away from the Children’s Museum of the Southwest were memories of when I was younger.  While I worked there, it was three straight days of picking up toys, playing with children… basically babysitting, but it was fun!  I felt sad when I saw children playing all alone.  Their mothers, who sat talking on their cell phones, were too busy to play.  Whenever I saw this, I would go and talk to the child and give them a playmate.  About an hour before the museum closed on the last day of working there, I saw a little girl putting fake oranges and apples into her little shopping cart.  Her mother was attentively by her side enjoying the time she had with her daughter.  That scene almost made me cry, because fourteen years ago that had been my mom and me.  When I was younger, my mom and I had been regulars at local parks and the Children’s Museum of the Southwest.  She was never too busy to play and always gave me her undivided attention.  Of course, she would always throw in something educational like, “What color is your orange?” or “If we have six oranges, but put two oranges back, how many oranges do we have left?”  My mom was always adding something educational to every activity or game we played, and I am grateful for that.  So, by looking at that mother and daughter, I saw my mom and me.  It made me miss the past, but made me very grateful for all the times we shared.  The mother then told her daughter that it was time to pick up.  I got the biggest smile on my face because while they were putting up the oranges, I heard the mother ask her daughter what shape the orange was.  Right then and there, I walked over and told the mother that they reminded me of my mom and me, and how we used to come here together.  I also told her to make the most of each moment, because her daughter will be grown up before she knows it.  The mother smiled and said that meant a lot, and that she hoped one day her daughter would remember as I had.  Hopefully fourteen years from now, there just might be another story like this one, but from that little girl. 

I have lived in Midland for most of my life.  When I was younger, I went to several of the places that are now on the list requesting volunteers.  To give back to an organization and community that has given me so much means a great deal to me.  The Legacy Scholarship has helped me out tremendously by allowing me to get involved with my community and being part of something bigger than myself.