Seton-LaSalle High School
Senior? Yes
Elite top 100? Yes
Letters of recommendation: Letter of Recommendation 1, Letter of Recommendation 2
My parents constantly encouraged my four siblings and I to volunteer our time. We have always taken every opportunity to volunteer in our community, in our church, and in our school whenever possible. I am a regular lector at my church. In addition to this, during the summer I am a counselor at my church’s Vacation Bible School. I also eagerly participate at multiple church fundraisers.
Family House is a facility where people who are being treated in any of the hospitals in the Oakland area can stay for a low cost. The family members, who accompany the patients, can also stay there. It is a relaxed, home-like setting; where patients can cook their own meals and do their own laundry. I have been volunteering at Family House for the past seven years. We are available to supply the guests with all of their needs. We show them what Family House has to offer; and in most cases, people are impressed with what is available to them. There is a certain satisfaction when I am able to give my own time to an organization which, I believe, serves an important service.
I firmly believe that in many instances I am getting as much out of these acts of service, as the people I am serving. I have personally been the recipient of generous people giving of their time for my benefit. When I was two-years-old, I was diagnosed with a malignant neuroblastoma. After two surgeries, I was declared cancer-free. During all of my treatments, hospital stays, and chemotherapy sessions, a great amount of volunteers helped to make me feel less afraid and more comfortable. I still remember how kind those people were; and how they helped me as I continued my treatments. It was the generosity and selflessness of those volunteers that partly inspired me to use my time to volunteer, and to pursue a career in medicine.
I have also met countless interesting people during my time spent volunteering. I have made so many friends at each facility in which I participated. I believe it has helped to make me a better person. I feel that because I was encouraged to give of my time, that I will continue to do so in the future. I have truly witnessed and experienced the great rewards of volunteerism.