Dear self,

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          Common Heart benefitted greatly from all your hard work throughout the summer and over the semester.  All the volunteer regulars expressed their gratitude that you were able to come almost every week.  Throughout the service project you spoke with Rick, the person in charge each week, and asked him what you needed to work on and how to make things run smoother.  He always said to just keep doing what you’re doing because things are going just fine.  Looking back, there were a few things you didn’t particularly like about the project: a couple unmotivated volunteers, some late stays to clean up, and a few disgruntled customers.  Overall though, the entire experience was supremely beneficial.  You built lasting relationships, developed your interpersonal skills, and did work that had a visible impact on your local community.  Since middle school, you have volunteered with various food pantries, including Common Heart, so your preconceived notions regarding this service project experience were minimal.  This service project has shown you a lot about yourself.  First, you are comfortable leading others even in a new environment.  You have learned a valuable lesson in being able to diverge from the “plan” and just go with the flow.  And finally, you have witnessed the importance of teamwork and cooperation.  Each week at the food pantry regular volunteers and new volunteers come together to achieve one goal.  You have noticed that the longer people work together, the better they work together.  At the beginning of an evening the new volunteers seem standoffish, but towards the end of the evening they look like they are part of the well-oiled machine.  Do not soon forget these essential lessons. 

 

Your pal,

Colin J.