Emily - CASA - Blog 1

After a fairly exhausting car ride, totaling around twelve hours in all, my Alternative Breaks group arrived in Huntsville, Alabama late Sunday night. We began Monday morning, bright and early, by assisting CASA volunteers in their mission to build a wheelchair ramp for a client. Altogether, the experience was quite rewarding in the sense that each individual was challenged to finish various tasks and duties. Three hours later, these responsibilities were fulfilled and the group was offered lunch by some of the office members of CASA. Individually, lunch displayed to me not only what southern charm really means, but more importantly, the idea that one is never too old or too young to get involved. The individuals responsible for the day-to-day accountabilities of CASA were very different in reference to their age, but extremely similar in their overwhelming desire to help others. The message that assistance is timeless was further demonstrated as the group shifted their efforts towards Manna House in the evening. Manna House is a non-profit organization that works to feed and take care of the less fortunate. As we were helping individual parties at Manna House, I once again came across the endearing aspiration that many volunteers share. Whether they were kindergarteners or middle-aged, each person who volunteered their time seemed to be in the subtle search for something: a returning smile and the idea that time and effort are truly helpful.

My overall take from day one in Huntsville, Alabama was incredibly positive. Altogether, work at the Manna House and the CASA warehouse reinforced to me that helping out doesn’t have to be something extraordinary or exceptional. A task as simple as donating unused goods can go a very long way in the eyes of someone else. Even more so, being able to incorporate a large amount of people to perform one simple task can have an overwhelming impact. Service doesn’t have to require particular measures; in fact, it is as powerful as an individual wishes it to be. On a personal note, today has taught me to dream a little bigger and hope a little higher. It has inspired me to search harder for truly beneficial programs in my hometown and in Kansas. With a certain kind of mindset, anything seems possible.