No Thanks for Giving

Elizabeth Tombrown
April 19th, 2017

Volunteer: freely offer to do something. Every year for Thanksgiving my Mom and
I gather aluminum cans to recycle to afford to feed the homeless. My
Mom and I have been doing this for just about 5 years now. We started
giving back because we have also experienced how challenging it is
being lonely and hungry on Thanksgiving Day and it’s a feeling that
I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Every time we volunteer I am given
the responsibility to package and distribute the food. My biggest
challenge as a volunteer is seeing how many people endure this
obstacle every year, even on a daily basis. But I feel a bit at ease
when I see a smile on their face and knowing they won't go to bed
hungry on Thanksgiving. What I have learned from the past 5 years is
to appreciate what you have now because you never know when you could
lose it all.

My career goals are in alignment with my volunteer focus. Ever since I
was a little girl I have always wanted to help and heal people.
That's why my lifetime dream is to be a doctor. To help People, no
matter their economic status. With much apprehension for the future,
I see myself having an official organization that is committed to
feeding the homeless and helping them get back on their feet. In my
opinion, forward-looking means having and giving hope and aiming to
achieve a set goal. The change I seek to foster in the world with my
volunteer activities will be to encourage others of all walks of life
to also get active and volunteer and put love back into their
communities. If I were to come back in ten, twenty, or even thirty
years, I think my volunteer activities would have made a difference
in someone's life. I hope to have given them hope and show them that
things do get better. I hope to show them that they have not been
forgotten.