In 2009, my freshman year in college, a presentation was given in one of my classes on an opportunity offered to undergraduate students. This week-long opportunity, Alternate Spring Break, was presented to students as a chance to travel to one of three states affected by serious hurricanes and other natural disasters within the last few years and help improve the lives and clean-up efforts of the residents of that area. After a selective application process, I was chosen to travel to Mississippi with a group of seventeen other students to assist in repairing the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. Even four years later, there was more destruction and heartache than I could have ever thought possible. My fellow students and I were all touched in a way that cannot be explained. Spending eight days removing debris and constructing shutters that would later accompany a survivor's new home, I saw first hand the value of and appreciation for help. Alternate Spring Break proved to be more valuable than I had anticipated. I was so fulfilled and internally rewarded knowing I did something for people who had been affected so deeply by the horrific natural disaster. I was told stories, saw sights, and met people that will be a part of my life and memories forever. Please feel free to look at some of the pictures from this week I have posted below.
Volunteering at my church with the Rosary Alter Society keeps me involved with my community and my church members. Being a Rosary member, I assist in cleaning the church, running fundraisers, and both organizing and attending parish social events. I find that staying involved in the church and with the Rosary Alter Society helps me to stay grounded and in touch with my values and morals. Keeping these aspects of my persona in the forefront of my life, I truly believe, will assist me in being a great health professional. Visiting patients in the nursing home in my community presented me with the gift of meeting people wise in years with a lot of life experience to share with me. Many of the residents of Shady Acres lacked the positive experience of interacting with regular visitors. During my three months of volunteering at the nursing home, I conversed with and, moreover, enjoyed the company of many of the elderly patients. They had great insight into life's journey and I got to experience caring about and interacting with sick patients—a skill that will benefit me in my future education and career.Rosary Alter Society
Shady Acres Nursing Home
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