I love volunteering; it all started in high school when I volunteered with Toys for Tots and Habitat for Humanity. Since then I try and make an effort to help out with various organizations including the work we have done with a local youth group for the last 4 years. When I first started working with CapGemini after I graduated college I got involved with several programs they offered including cooking meals at the Ronald McDonald House, 5k’s for cancer research, and donations for Dressed for Success. About a year and a half ago I moved over to working for T-Mobile. I hadn’t had a chance to serve through the community through any T-Mobile programs until I heard about Huddle Up. It is a community outreach and service day that happens once a year. I was so glad when I got a confirmed spot for the event.
I spent the day working outside and making a difference for the kids that go to the boys and girls club for after school programs and athletics. We split into 7 teams to tackle various projects at the facility, my group created a new play area complete with a swing set and filled with mulch to keep the kids safe. We also built storage benches and basketball racks for their sports equipment and we stained the woodwork on all of those items. I woke up the next morning and my forearms and knees were sore but it made my heart happy because I helped make a difference even if it was only for 1 day, those improvements will be used and loved by lots of kids for years to come. The best part was seeing the reactions of the kids when they walked in. They were so excited and so thankful for all the time and money we had put into the projects to make it a safer and more fun place for them learn and grow.
