A Year's Reflection on Volunteering

One of the first questions that you are asked in your interview for AmeriCorps is “What does service mean to you?” The first thought many people may have is “service is helping someone in need”, or “service is providing someone with something that they need help getting”. And, ten months ago, I’m sure I would have given you some sort of similar answer. But now at the end of my service for National Health Corps Pittsburgh 2015-2016, my perspective and feelings have all changed about service. Unlike many of my cohorts’ sites I do not deal with patients directly. Rather I coordinate volunteers to help package supplies for clinics, hospitals, and non-profit organizations both domestically and internationally. Day in, and day out, I work with volunteers from all different and diverse backgrounds. Some are retirees, some work full time as nurses and other medical professionals, and some are college or high school students. Regardless of who they are, they all come to Global Links to help us accomplish a task for the greater common good. So in working with so many groups of volunteers I have had a chance to observe and talk to many of them about volunteering.

Through conversations of laughs, smiles, tears, and love I have learned so much more about service than what most are able to see in a lifetime. On its surface, service is helping someone in need, or donating someone’s time or resources to try and help. But in seeing so many people volunteer I realize that service is more like a responsibility that those who volunteer feel. It is a dedication to their community and their country to make a change. In today’s society where there is often violence and turmoil, it is the volunteers at the foundation of this country that make it so strong, and show that there is so much hope and love in the world. It is those that are willing to do whatever it takes to make a difference that make this the greatest country on earth, and that get things done for the greater good. No matter what their background, socioeconomic status, culture, or race, volunteers are the ones making the difference day in and day out. That is why I am so thankful for doing this year of service. I truly have a new perspective on volunteering. I will continue to keep it in mind through my life, as well I will always encouraging others to get involved in their communities to make a difference. In these tough times, the world needs more people that are willing to make a change and do the right thing. Those people come from all different backgrounds and walks of life and they all have one thing in common. They are volunteers, and they want to make a difference.