Volunteer Story: Volunteer Card team member, Katie, serves in San Diego
Tell us about your volunteer trip!
Last month, I was a leader for a youth trip to San Diego. My purpose was twofold: to encourage the trip participants in a new volunteer experience and to serve the people of San Diego. My team worked at the Catholic Charities on Cedar in the mornings, where we fulfilled food orders, organized donations, and interacted with community members. In the afternoons, we worked at an adult day care in downtown San Diego. We played Bingo, made corsages for the upcoming prom, and sang songs with the elderly.
What is one of the most meaningful encounters you had on the trip?
At the adult day care center, we had the opportunity to get to know a wonderful old man. He told us about his love for his wife, who passed away last year. When she was alive, she asked him each night how his day had been. Now that she’s gone, he continues to describe his day to her photograph everyday. He also shared the joy he received from his four children. We loved getting to interact with someone with such a positive and grateful outlook.
What are some lessons from this volunteer trip you will take with you?
While transporting kids, our vehicle got hit. What I learned from this is the importance of being flexible and going with the flow! You have to remember you’re there for others and not for yourself. Volunteer trips are not vacations.
I’d been on six volunteer trips in the past. Busy life circumstances prevented me from going on a trip for the past five years. Going on a trip again reminded me that I want volunteer trips to be a regular part of my life. I want to commit to going on one every other year.
One thing we always struggle with in the world of volunteering is the question of impact – how much are our efforts actually helping? I was so encouraged when the organizer at the Catholic Charities kept thanking us and saying that she would not have been able to complete the charity’s mission and vision without the help of volunteers. We CAN make a difference, even if our efforts are small.
Photo: Katie’s team serving at a food pantry in San Diego.
