Spreading Smiles by Anna

Spreading Smiles by Anna - May 2018 Scholarship Essay

Growing up my family has always taught me one of the best things to do in life is to help and give back to others. From volunteering for multiple organizations, I understand and see the effects my assistance has on others and the smiles that are spread from kindness. One of my favorite events to volunteer at every year is Christmas in the City; a nonprofit organization that hosts a large Christmas party for families suffering from poverty and homeslessness in the greater Boston area. This is a two-day event that involves setting up and organizing tents, activities, food and presents and hosting the party. Volunteering at Christmas in the City inspires me to continue to help others and recognize the importance of giving back and helping my community.
Christmas in the City not only gives suffering families a day to celebrate the Christmas season but allows parents and children to forget about all their worries and have a day to make joyful memories with one another. With the help of hundreds of volunteers, the entire day before the party is spent transforming the Boston Expo-Center into a large dinner hall with entertainment and a winter wonderland full of rides, animals, and games for the families. Families are not only able to enjoy a nice dinner and participate in multiple activities, but can also receive free dental, health, and haircut services. Seeing the relief and joy these services provide parents does not only fill me with happiness but also makes me realize how much we must be grateful for in life and how significant volunteering and helping others is.
I have volunteered at Christmas in the City for four years, and while everything that is done and donated is always different, the smiles and happiness reflecting from the families and children on the day of the party are always big and bright. One year the table I was assigned seated a single mother with three young children all under the age of seven. After the family ate and enjoyed the performances I walked around and watched the children for most of day, exploring and finding different games, rides, and crafts. By bringing the kids to fun activities and events I was not only able to help give the kids an exciting day they will never forget but was also able to give their mom a time to relax and forget about all the worries she has to face every day. The children were incredibly happy and grateful for everything they were able to do. I have never smiled as much as I did from the amount of happiness and joy these families expressed all day. All the work and organizing done the day before the party is worth every second knowing the effects our actions have on these families. The excitement, never ending smiles, and cheerfulness these families express every year a Christmas in the City is the reason I love and enjoy volunteering and helping others.
Happiness and smiles are spread as we help one another and give back to society. Volunteering has not only taught me life-long skills but has made me the person I am today, as I constantly seek opportunities to help others from small actions to donating clothes or food to large events. Through volunteer work, we are able to bring our communities together and turn the world into a happier place.