My Volunteer Experience

My name is Tracy Warren and I’m a senior at AIB College of Business.  One of my requirements for graduation is to complete 30 Service Learning hours with a non-profit organization.  I had never volunteered before but was excited about the opportunity to find a non-profit that meant something to me.  My goal was to find a non-profit where I could complete my 30 hours and also enjoy volunteering with them so much that I would want to continue to volunteer with them.

I started my hours with Everybody Wins! Iowa in August of 2010 and just completed my 30 hours a couple of weeks ago.  I chose Everybody Wins! Iowa because I truly believe in the importance of reading with young children as it helps children to develop, grow, and learn during their formative years.  I also love children and feel grateful to be able to help support an organization that supports children.  I spent most of my hours atEverybody Wins! Iowa working in their office, which is located at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Des Moines.  The church so kindly donates space for the Everybody Wins! Iowa staff/volunteers and is a wonderful supporter of this non-profit.  My tasks in the office varied weekly.  I did anything from folding and cutting a few hundred Thank You cards for volunteers to setting up a new printer to actually designing and creating this blog for Everybody Wins! Iowa.  One of the most important things I have learned from my volunteer experience is that no task is ever too small.  I always felt satisfied to complete the smallest of tasks because I knew that every bit of help was much appreciated.

A few months into my Service Learning hours, I decided it was time to practice what I preach and commit to volunteering with the Power Lunch program.  I read on Tuesdays at the Downtown School to a 5^th grade boy.  I’m also a firm believer that you should never stop learning and my reader helps me to achieve this every week by choosing books about sharks, famous athletes, sports, and other topics that I probably wouldn’t actually read myself.  Someday when I get into a conversation about sharks, I’m going to know what I’m talking about.  J  I really look forward to my reading time and always come back to my desk a little more relaxed and less stressed.  It’s always a great feeling to see the excitement on my reader’s face when he sees me come through the door every Tuesday.  He’s always anxious to tell me about his weekend or what is going on his life. 

Now that my 30 hours are complete, I feel that I’ve met my goal and I’m anxious to continue volunteering with Everybody Wins! Iowa  .  I hope to be able to volunteer more of my time with them in the future and would encourage anyone who is looking for a volunteer opportunity to get involved with this organization.  They are always looking for caring volunteers to reach more children.  Volunteering is one of the most rewarding experiences and I promise you won’t regret it!