Verbal Volunteer Inspiration by Shaqueza

Verbal Volunteer Inspiration by Shaqueza - January 2017 Scholarship Essay

Many times when we hear the word “volunteer”, we often think of giving our time just physically to the community. Something that we do with our hands or feet, like handing out food to the homeless, passing out flyer's for a special event, or even picking up extra packages of tissue to donate to a shelter. These are all great acts of kindness, but often we overlook one very valuable thing in the midst of giving back to others. That one valuable and important thing is giving back, verbally. Volunteering to give out food to the people in need, donating to the shelter, and volunteering to pass out flyer’s are all wonderful ways to help a person temporarily; but what do they have when they feel like giving up? When they feel as if they aren’t good enough and no one cares? I believe we must go deeper than just giving back physically to keep people motivated and encouraged. So when the temporary things are gone, It will be those loving words that we planted in their hearts as well that will arise in them for a lifetime. I know this to be true because of a very inspirational event that took place in my life.

In 2016, I volunteered to go to Buffalo, New York for a week to help package over 150,000 pounds of food to hand out to the people in need. I had never seen a line so long in my entire life. The line was full of people of all ages, kids with no family, and elderly people that were disabled. Some were happy, and some were gazing off into mid-air in deep thought, with sorrow and pain in their eyes. I will never forget. Many appeared poor and many even appeared wealthy. As I humbly passed out boxes of food and supply, I myself began to go into deep thought. I was smiling big, but my mind had gone to a whole new place. I said to myself, “these families are so happy to receive these items that are going to help them temporarily, but what can I give them to hang on to when it’s all gone? When the food truck isn’t here anymore? What do they have that is going to make them smile again”? I then realized the solution was the power of my words.

As my team kept smiling and handing out boxes, I boldly stepped out and began to make my way down the line. I started to give verbally to all the precious people waiting to receive a box. I began to feed their heart. Instantly, I saw frowns turn into smiles, blank stares turn into joy, and heads that were down began to rise up. At that very moment, I knew that I was giving them something that would last them for a lifetime. It was no longer about giving love just physically, but verbally as well. I gave each of them words of encouragement, love and hope. It seemed as if some of them had never heard anything uplifting before, especially the children. Although they were in need of food, it was as if they didn’t care anymore because they were filled up by the beauty of my kind words. Through words of encouragement, I noticed I was piercing the hearts of many broken souls. I learned that some were smiling, but were actually planning on committing suicide because they had nothing else to keep them going. But by the caring words that were freely given to them, they kept going. My heart was so humbled and deeply inspired. I knew deep in my heart that I didn’t want it to end there. I wanted to continue to help so many more people after that heartwarming week. On the long bus ride back home to Georgia, I realized that it didn’t have to stop there.

This volunteering experience in Buffalo, New York has inspired me to make a difference in my own community today. Help is not just needed in New York, but right here in Georgia as well, whether it’s in the grocery stores, the gas stations, or on the streets. To make a significant difference in my community, I humbly walk around ready to fire off uplifting words to people everyday. I truly never know what people are going through. A smile can cover up so much pain, and even a fancy fur coat and a brand new BMW can cover up pain. Sometimes people may not need just physical help, but verbal help as well. I don’t care what people are wearing, driving, or saying, I still intentionally say loving and encouraging comments to them anyway. With so much negativity being said in today’s world, I am determined to instill hope into someones heart each day, through words. There is great power in the tongue to change lives around the world and right here in my community, and I’m boldly speaking up and making an impact to save lives and souls. Hey reader, just in case you didn’t know, you look wonderful today and you’re going to be successful no matter what people say about you. Keep going, you’re stronger than you could ever imagine.