Kelly Kyle

Shepherd Community 4/17

11:30-1:30 (2hours)

Activity: Addressing, stuffing and mailing letters

4/12/13

(3 hours) 9am-12noon: 2013 NCAA Membership and Student-Athlete Affairs Community Day and National Student-Athlete Day

Location: NCAA Hall of Champions

This event was unique because it involved a bunch of collegiate student athletes from Indiana universities and colleges working together for a big community service project. The service project was to make 100 fleece, “tie” blankets for a group called: Project Linus. This organization is based off of the Peanuts character-Linus who carries a blanket around for a sense of security and warmth. The blankets that are made by this organization goes to anyone in need of a warm blanket or to kids that are in hospitals. I think that this was a good pick of an organization because this type of activity of making blankets is a good activity for anyone of all ages and a new blanket is always comforting during times of trouble.

As a group we had supplies for 100 fleece blankets and it took us near the entire time to finish them but we completed our goal. The collegiate athletes were also paired with high school athletes and we served as mentors for them guiding them through this project as well as answering many questions that they asked about college and sports. I thought that this was a great experience for the collegiate athletes and that it sent a good message to the high school kids that were participating with us.

Overall I thought this was a very worthy cause that is a suitable activity for any aged person or any organization. Providing blankets could simply spread warmth and joy to the recipient and knowing that someone is benefiting from those blankets is the goal of this type of project.

Volunteering at Jireh Sports: April 6, 2013      9am-12noon (3hours)

This is volunteer opportunity was pretty straightforward. Those of us that went came in and had the job of cleaning pretty much anything and everything that needed a good ole’ scrubbing. The main areas that we took care of were:

a) main gymnastic gym- We scrubbed down and sanitized every piece of gymnastic equipment possible, mats, pads, beams, bars, etc.

b) main lobby

c) bathrooms

d) weight room equipment in Gym #3

e) kitchen area

f) Learning Center- Took hundreds of books of the shelf and sanitized them as well as the shelves they were on. We sanitized tables, chairs, computer equipment, as well as a bunch of other learning equipment.

e) Outside- We picked up trash in both the front and back of the building.

Although this was a down and dirty job, I wondered if that type of cleaning had ever been done in the building before. Although we didn’t get to meet or see any of the kids that used the building, I know for a fact they will be appreciative that they get to use clean and sparkling equipment and that the facilities are more organized and neat. From a health standpoint the sanitizing we did in the buildings will help prevent the spread of diseases that could potentially keep any of their athletes out of competition.

I felt pretty accomplished with the amount of work that our group accomplished over a 3-hour time period. At the end, the man working there told us he was grateful of the work and allowed us to try out and “play” on the gymnastics equipment for a few minutes because it would stink to clean the equipment and not get to play on it. So different people from our group tried out the springy floor, the balance beams, the trampoline, the parallel bars, the uneven bars, and the rings. It was fun to attempt to use any of those items–not that any of us knew any tricks or skills. It gave me a sense of understanding how tough of a sport most of these kids were involved in and the type of training and skill required to be good at gymnastics.

On March 23, 2013 I volunteered at Greentree Assisted Living from 1:30-4:30 (3 hours) for their Easter Event.

Upon looking at the email stating what we might be doing I really didn’t know what to expect to be doing or seeing during my time there. I, along with two fellow Butler students: Kendra and Alex, were placed with Lora who worked at the center. That day seemed to be extra special for the residents and family members. We were in charge of face painting residents in the dementia unit to look like Easter bunnies. I think its safe to say I wasn’t expected to be assigned to the face painting and I think the other two fellow BU students agreed.

The first person I had to face paint was actually a worker from Greentree. Being my first customer, I made sure to go all out with face painting in the best way that I could. I surprised myself with how I was able to do and even got a few compliments. Next Alex and Kendra practiced on each other and Kendra even practiced on myself. I think she did a great job–but let’s just say I looked like a pretty crazy bunny out of Tim Burton’s Alice in Wonderland. The paint took near up to 20-30 minutes at the end of the day to get all the way off in my dorm but it was well worth it.

After practicing on each other, we finally were able to paint a few of the residents. It was difficult trying to make sense out of what some of the residents were trying to say but was enjoyable nonetheless. After I painted some residents I was able to paint some kids. Most of the kids it seemed like they were family members of staff but nonetheless it was very enjoyable and the kids were a tad more appreciative and into the whole face painting activity rather than the adults. Some of the adults were just more chatty and they wanted somebody to talk to and didn’t really care that there was an Easter Event. It was fun to talk to the residents but some of them were hard to talk to and communicate with so it was definitely a learning experience for me as well.

I have to say I was surprised with how fast the time went. It was an enjoyable day and I can say I didn’t expect to be painted as an Easter Bunny when I walked in that morning. I am glad that I was able to make some kids and residents smile in the process as well.

1.5 hours– Shepherd Volunteer Orientation