In March 2023, I stepped into a soup kitchen in Hempstead for the first time, hoping that some volunteer work would be a revitalizing breath of fresh air from the typical rhythm of college life.
Only one year later, I visited the Long Island Ethical Humanist Society to receive our nation’s highest federal volunteer service award: the gold-level President’s Volunteer Service Award, given for 250 hours of volunteer service within a one-year time period.
I am proud of my achievement and I was honored to receive such a prestigious award as a representative of the Hofstra community. I would like to share some of the things I learned in the four places that I volunteered, and make a case for why I think anyone reading this should give volunteering a try, even just once.
My journey began at the Mary Brennan INN Soup Kitchen. Anyone in need of a hot meal can go to this soup kitchen without fear of being turned away.
Every time I came to the INN, I would do a different job. Sometimes I would sort cans, and other times I would make bags to be handed out or prepare food and give it to guests arriving at the INN. When handing out food and taking orders, I had an additional opportunity to practice my Spanish skills with many of our guests.
After a while, it dawned on me that there was a lot more to running this soup kitchen than the quick handoff of food that you see. Behind the window, there was a whole group of wonderful staff and volunteers putting in hard work doing many of the difficult tasks necessary to allow us to distribute food, clothing and books to Long Islanders.
Then I learned my first lesson: things that are worthwhile often require a lot of effort.
That April, I began volunteering as a member of a hiking group of middle and high school students with special needs. I would help the staff coordinate our hikes and keep the hikers safe.
I enjoyed talking with and inventing stories with our hikers. Oftentimes, they would ask for my advice. I enjoyed observing how people who are younger than me interact with the world as well as their phones. Though I wasn’t much older than them, they still called me a “boomer” because I didn’t know their new slang or ways of doing things.
During my time as part of the hiking group, I learned even more lessons: there is a value in listening, compassion goes a long way, staying in the moment can be helpful and nature can have a positive impact on you.
Over the summer, I began to volunteer with the Book Fairies, a book warehouse in Freeport, New York. We would recycle or sort books donated to us to be resold or given to schools with book shortages on Long Island. Some were even sent overseas.
The whir of quickly sorting books (once I got the hang of it) was pleasant and so was the company. The majority of volunteers at the warehouse were retirees, and in my conversations with them, I got a glimpse into the past.
Twenty-five cent candy, a guy’s first date falling asleep at the original screening of “Star Wars,” stories of lives, families and careers well-lived. They provided practical advice as people who have lived longer than me and were a fantastic and cordial group to work with.
Working there taught me the importance of listening to those with experience, the value of working cooperatively, and to have compassion and understanding for anyone you meet.
Finally, I spent a brief stint at the Friends of Hempstead Plains. The organization is devoted to maintaining the grounds of the last remaining segment of the once-expansive plains of Hempstead.
I worked days under the hot sun, manicuring the area around the center, removing weeds, wandering the plains and learning more about the native species still roaming there. In the brief time I spent there, I learned a tremendous amount about biology and conservation.
Working there, I pondered whether it really was worth it to remove swaths of such a large and beautiful natural setting in the name of modernity.
Through these four organizations, I logged hours on a timesheet, eventually accruing enough to secure the gold-level President’s Volunteer Service Award. The ceremony, held Feb. 18, was a blast. I got to meet the other fourteen talented individuals who received the award this year. I received a beautiful medal (currently hanging on my wall) and a lapel pin.
I also received commendations from numerous local and federal legislators. I would like to thank Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman, New York state Senator Kevin Thomas, Congressman Anthony D’Esposito and President Joe Biden for their various awards and letters of recognition.
Most important of all, I would like to thank the Long Island Volunteer Center and its President’s Volunteer Service Award coordinator, Patricia Force, for guiding me throughout my volunteer service and the Long Island Ethical Humanist Society for hosting the awards ceremony.
You may be surprised to know that I learned quite a few professional skills during my volunteer service. You may also be surprised to know that it was an excellent networking opportunity which gained me many new contacts. I now have quite a few things to add to my resume.
But volunteering gave me more than an award – it gave me life lessons. The things I learned forced me to grapple with questions of respect, decency and the biggest question of all: how to treat others and yourself with kindness and dignity.
It opened my mind to the world in a way I don’t think could be done in a classroom or at a job, and that type of perspective is valuable. If you have the time, you deserve that for yourself. And I can guarantee you’ll have fun volunteering regardless of whether you pursue a service award or not.
