How community service shaped my future by Morganne

How community service shaped my future by Morganne - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

Bringing the community together as one to help support a person in need is one of the best feelings I have ever experienced. A few years ago my mother and I set up a benefit for my grandmother who had recently been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Her cancer was terminal and we knew it was only a matter of time before we would lose her.
We decided to put together a benefit and fundraiser to help bring friends, family, and the community together to support my grandmother during this hardship she was going through. This benefit allowed my grandmother to focus on her health needs and not worry about her financial burdens. It was also a great opportunity for friends, family members, and community members to come out and support my grandmother. During this benefit we included food, drinks, a silent and live auction. The benefit it took many weeks of preparation. My mother and I, along with our committee members went out into the community and solicited monetary contributions along with goods to make gift baskets for the silent auction. We made flyers, started a facebook group, and rented a restaurant to host this benefit. Through social media platforms we were able to reconnect with some of my grandmothers old friends and reach out to contacts from all over the United States.
We raised about 16,000 dollars that helped cover medical and, ultimately, funeral expenses. It was such an astonishing feeling helping be a part of such a great cause. After this fundraiser I knew that helping in my community and making a difference in someone's life is rewarding and is something I want to continue to pursue in my future. Having the ability to take charge and assist in such a large event taught me the importance of leadership. I currently have over one hundred hours of community service. I aspire to study medicine in college and have a career in the medical field and proceed to helping in my community and making a difference.