bryantasticc
Nov 25, 2014
Undergraduate / Community Service Toy Drive and how it relates to who I am - UC Prompt #2 [5]
Wrapping presents while listening to joyful Christmas music, in a warm room filled with friends, was something I would've never expected when hearing the words "community service". The holiday season was approaching when the director of the organization I had recently began volunteering at -Day One- had spoken to the youth volunteers about Day One's annual Cherishing Children Toy Drive. As she spoke, I thought to myself that this would be just another generic toy drive, but I was mistaken, completely underestimating the significant role I played in the event planning process.
During our meetings youth met with staff to develop goals, and I was amazed that the adults were willing to listen to my opinions and place them into action. We went to different parts of the city to speak to several businesses, in an effort to receive donations. I continued to speak to many important adults, and although I was initially nervous about speaking, through our business visits I was able to successfully develop my communication skills in order to attain our team's goal, while uniting our community for a great cause.
The day of the Cherishing Children event finally arrived and I was delighted with all the work we had done in preparation for it. I looked at the other side of Day One's gate, where hundreds of children and their parents lined up around the block, anxiously waiting to enter. Most of the children in the line belonged to families affected by economic hardships. Looking at the line saddened me, but I was blessed that I had the opportunity to raise the holiday spirit in my community through this event. While I visited family in San Francisco or Nevada for the holidays, I never realized that due to socioeconomic factors most of my community did not have such a luxury. This event helped me realize the socioeconomic divide in our city. That there are clearly two different types of Pasadena residents. Those North of the 210 freeway and those thought of when one hears about the Rose Parade.
Watching the smiles of each and every kid as they received a gift humbled me. Many children, who had never even seen snow, happily threw snowballs in a huge pile on the lawn. Others sat around the fire roasting marshmallows, making arts and crafts, or drinking a cozy cup of hot chocolate. The thought that something so simple could bring so much joy truly amazed me. I felt proud of my accomplishments when several parents came up to thank me for our work. As a teenager, I never imagined that I could bring so much happiness and unity in my community. To know that I contributed to the children's smiles, and to know that I gave many their first holiday experience made me proud of my work.
Cherishing Children has helped me grow as a person. It's helped me develop my public speaking skills, comfort level when talking to others, skill sets in planning an event, as well as opening my eyes to the whole of my community. The feeling I received from having the opportunity to help others is extraordinary, and I'm motivated to build on this passion in college. (533)
I tried revising, do you think it's improved? Although I deleted some information, I ended up adding more than I originally had, do you think there's anything else I can specifically take out to bring down the word count?
Wrapping presents while listening to joyful Christmas music, in a warm room filled with friends, was something I would've never expected when hearing the words "community service". The holiday season was approaching when the director of the organization I had recently began volunteering at -Day One- had spoken to the youth volunteers about Day One's annual Cherishing Children Toy Drive. As she spoke, I thought to myself that this would be just another generic toy drive, but I was mistaken, completely underestimating the significant role I played in the event planning process.
During our meetings youth met with staff to develop goals, and I was amazed that the adults were willing to listen to my opinions and place them into action. We went to different parts of the city to speak to several businesses, in an effort to receive donations. I continued to speak to many important adults, and although I was initially nervous about speaking, through our business visits I was able to successfully develop my communication skills in order to attain our team's goal, while uniting our community for a great cause.
The day of the Cherishing Children event finally arrived and I was delighted with all the work we had done in preparation for it. I looked at the other side of Day One's gate, where hundreds of children and their parents lined up around the block, anxiously waiting to enter. Most of the children in the line belonged to families affected by economic hardships. Looking at the line saddened me, but I was blessed that I had the opportunity to raise the holiday spirit in my community through this event. While I visited family in San Francisco or Nevada for the holidays, I never realized that due to socioeconomic factors most of my community did not have such a luxury. This event helped me realize the socioeconomic divide in our city. That there are clearly two different types of Pasadena residents. Those North of the 210 freeway and those thought of when one hears about the Rose Parade.
Watching the smiles of each and every kid as they received a gift humbled me. Many children, who had never even seen snow, happily threw snowballs in a huge pile on the lawn. Others sat around the fire roasting marshmallows, making arts and crafts, or drinking a cozy cup of hot chocolate. The thought that something so simple could bring so much joy truly amazed me. I felt proud of my accomplishments when several parents came up to thank me for our work. As a teenager, I never imagined that I could bring so much happiness and unity in my community. To know that I contributed to the children's smiles, and to know that I gave many their first holiday experience made me proud of my work.
Cherishing Children has helped me grow as a person. It's helped me develop my public speaking skills, comfort level when talking to others, skill sets in planning an event, as well as opening my eyes to the whole of my community. The feeling I received from having the opportunity to help others is extraordinary, and I'm motivated to build on this passion in college. (533)
I tried revising, do you think it's improved? Although I deleted some information, I ended up adding more than I originally had, do you think there's anything else I can specifically take out to bring down the word count?
