Jacob Hickey
IHS
Professor Law-Ham
Post Experience/Reflection
Post-experience: What did you learn about the agency? What do they contribute to the community? What assets do they have? What needs/challenges do they have?
Giving back is extremely important to me. It is a way to show others you care and a way to make you, personally, feel warm inside because you know you did something that will make others happy. For this project, I decided to volunteer at my local Veteran’s Home in Augusta. Now, I have been doing this for a number of years, but every time I go, it feels amazing because I know I am makings other people’s days a little brighter, a little more cheerful. Ever since I started volunteering here, I have learned so many things from so many wise people, a majority of whom were in the service protecting our country and freedoms in times of war and violence. These people need the love and respect they deserve but unfortunately, do not often receive. However, this is why I go there, to have conversations, play games, and just provide company to these older men and women whose lives are often not ones with over excitement. Many, day after day, sit in their wheelchairs looking out the windows wishing they could go back twenty or more years to their youth. Often, these people do not have visitors and are alone. These are the people I seek out and provide company. A majority just need someone there to talk to, all I do is sit and listen as they tell me their life story. It is a great time, I have met people who were at D-Day, in the Korean War, and were on ships that battled other enemies in the deep Pacific Ocean, far from home. These people often are forgotten; however, I would love to make them more prominent in our society. They are the wise people who can give guidance to our younger generations who seems to be having trouble in terms of violence, anger, and disagreement. In the past, I have played holiday carols on the piano during Christmas time, set up 4th of July decorations on the patio, and taken people on walks outside to enjoy the crisp cool mornings of fall. I have heard countless heroic stories of war. These people need more youth to volunteer and make these people’s lives better. I often hear that it is a boring job when trying to get volunteers, however, it is just the opposite, it is fun and entertaining. Dancing during karaoke night and singing carols with them, it is a fulfilling way to volunteer. It makes others, as well as yourself, feel good. We need more of this in today’s world ravaged by war and crime. Just a little extra help can more everyone’s day brighter.
