Anne Carithers

Our direct service brought comfort and a safe space to the kids who lost the spelling bee. We worked the "cry room" for those who got words wrong and also cheered them on throughout the competition. This was for 1st-8th graders, and they were very thankful we were present. It was very heartening to see kids persevere through the day and see the top winner who advanced to the next round. We improved empathy skills during this experience, putting us in the shoes of the kids competing. I learned that these kids are very passionate, creative, and competitive. This impact was really comforting and wholesome for me. It was a gentle reminder to have fun with things and keep going when times get tough. I learned about this event through Kelsey Ryan when she sent it to prior gamma chis. I would love to volunteer at something like this again in any capacity.

Our direct service benefited members of the Memphis community by providing them with food and nutrition for themselves and their families. We served a lower income population who are in need of boxed, nonperishable food. They were very thankful for our service and glad they were able to receive some assistance. I plan to continue serving here because I enjoy seeing the direct impact I am making on the community. This service event always makes me realize how blessed I am and how I want to use myself to help others who are in need of things that I take for granted. We worked as a team at this event, which made us more productive and faster, allowing us to serve more people. We all had different duties which helped us achieve our ultimate goal.

This service benefited the members by bringing joy to people in nursing homes and places with old or sick people. It was people facing, and once we delivered the flowers, the clients were very happy and grateful for the acts of kindness. This impacted me personally because I was able to put myself in others' shoes and walks of life. I worked as a team tonight cleaning out buckets and making crafts, which made the tasks at hand go by much faster. The person overseeing this was our Vice President of Philanthropy for Alpha Gam and Stephanie Simpson, the woman who founded and owns 901 Pop. It's always a great time there, I will definitely be back!

This service event affected the community by bringing joy and happiness to people in hospice homes and senior communities. We serve an older/sick population that need a little encouragement in places like hospitals. Through delivering the flowers, we know they are so thankful for what 901 Pop does and the mission of the organization. I improved my creativity skills through this direct service by making flower arrangements and crafts. I worked individually but with a friend, so it wasn't a whole team. We were able to get a lot accomplished even though it was just the two of us. I have volunteered here before and plan to continue to do so because of its mission and the impact Stephanie Simpson, the President, has had on the community and my own sorority, Alpha Gamma Delta.

This service opportunity directed benefitted members of the Memphis community by providing them a sense of happiness and joy during the holiday months and beyond. 901 repurposes flowers and delivers them to hospitals, senior living homes, and shelters. They are always beyond grateful to receive flowers and presents from 901 Pop. I worked with a team of five others and we switched stations, which is how we got so much done and worked proactively. It made the experience not only more productive, but more fun. This opportunity impacted me through understanding I was creating gifts that were delivered to people who had gone through a lot and maybe weren't in the happiest places in their lives. It made me be more intentional about my time and what I was creating for them. Stephanie Simpson oversaw this event, who is the President of the organization, and a fellow Alpha Gam.

Volunteering at the Mobile Food Pantry benefits people in the community by providing them with boxed and nonperishable food. We served lower income populations, and they were very grateful for the food. I was able to utilize my communication and people skills through this experience. We worked as a team, which made the process go a lot faster and we were able to distribute boxes quicker. I plan to continue to volunteer here because I enjoy seeing the direct impact in the community, and the people I volunteer with are all great.

We directly benefitted members of the Memphis community by preparing hot meals and snacks to people on the street/low income populations. They would come to the window and get a to-go box of food, and they were so happy and excited to have a warm meal. They told us thank you and extended their gratitude. I worked as a team during this experience, and it made the process go much faster and be more productive than if it was just one person. I plan to continue to volunteer for St. Vincent's because it's an experience that allows me to directly see the impact I'm making and I am able to volunteer with so many others from different backgrounds. A skill I utilized during this experience was teamwork and adaptability, because I was in a new setting where I didn't know anyone. I was able to adapt to my surroundings and come together with my team to work efficiently.

Rebekah Fahey  3 years ago Hi Anne, please update your reflection according to the guiding questions on page 18 of the EL Handbook.

We directly benefitted members of the Memphis community by preparing hot meals and snacks to people on the street/low income populations. They would come to the window and get a to-go box of food, and they were so happy and excited to have a warm meal. They told us thank you and extended their gratitude. I worked as a team during this experience, and it made the process go much faster and be more productive than if it was just one person. I plan to continue to volunteer for St. Vincent's because it's an experience that allows me to directly see the impact I'm making and I am able to volunteer with so many others from different backgrounds. A skill I utilized during this experience was teamwork and adaptability, because I was in a new setting where I didn't know anyone. I was able to adapt to my surroundings and come together with my team to work efficiently. I have already been here three times during my collegiate experience!

Rebekah Fahey  3 years ago Hi Anne, please update your reflection according to the guiding questions on page 18 of the EL Handbook.