When Dylan Buhl and I sat down so that he could tell me about his trip to Swaziland, Africa I didn’t think much of it. I thought it was going to be a simple interview where I could just write down a few simple points and be done with it. Too my surprise it was the complete opposite. Dylan was unbelievably excited to talk about it. “I loved it. I want to go back,” he told me.

Dylan went to a town called Bulembu. He went on a mission trip through Missions Discovery. Their job was to go and help out. When they arrived in Bulembu each person was assigned a family. Buhl was assigned a family with 6 boys; the youngest being 3 and oldest being 15. Although they had family’s to spend time with, they all had individual jobs as well. After a hard day of work each student would go and spend time with their assigned family during the evening. They all had jobs to do while they were there; Buhl’s job was to build fences. “We want the cows to stay out and the little ones to stay in!” he said. Another group helped paint the infant houses. These were just a few things though; Buhl told me that they need help in other areas also.

You are probably asking; where is Bulembu, and why do they need so much help? Bulembu is a town in Swaziland. It was run by a mining company, but when the company closed their doors in 2001 Bulembu was left with no jobs; it was abandoned. Bulembu is now a place that is over taken by HIV/ AIDS; which in result has left Bulembu to become an orphan town.  38% of Swazi citizens have AIDS.  This is the highest infection rate in the world. The UN has done studies and has discovered that around the year 2050, Swazi people will be non-existing. Thankfully with the help of missions and other helping organizations these numbers are now changing. There are about 120,000 orphaned kids in Swaziland. Although many kids have “aunties” (women who take care of a set of children in a home and get paid for it), many do not and have to fend for themselves.

How would one speculate, the difficulties and struggles others In our world go through with out doing the research or asking questions? When Buhl first arrived in Bulembu he talked about how nice everyone was.  Although many of them lived in poverty they were very welcoming and kind. Living in America is something we take for granted. We fail to realize how lucky we are, and how many people in other parts of the world would do anything to have what we have every single day. It was interesting, listening to Dylan talk about how amazing and life changing his trip was. It almost makes you disappointed in yourself for being so non- appreciative.  I am typing, I have an Arizona ice tea sitting near me and this morning I got up to a delicious breakfast. I got a nice hot shower and I got to dry my hair with a hair dryer. Sometimes I am guilty of acting like I would die without these things, not realizing that there are children, like in Belembu, that have nothing.  Not even a pair of shoes.

                Please, note that this is not a guilt trip. This is something that is important and needs to be brought to our attention. Swaziland, Africa is not the only place on earth where there are children in need. Poverty, is everywhere and there are many steps we can take to help and make our world better. Dylan traveled with  Missions Discovery, but there are so many other organizations that one can choose. So if you are looking to make a difference, to change the world, you have the resources to do it. As Buhl talked about, it changes your life in a positive way!

The Blood Drive was held in the activity center and was said to have flowed very smoothly, according to Park Student Council President Tom Schultz.

“The Blood Drive turned out great,” Schultz stated, “It was not hectic at all and was successful in the fact that we reached our goal of 105 donators.”

While some students were turned down to give blood due to fear, illness, or because they did not meet the strict height and weight requirements, Park was rewarded with a $1,000 scholarship for having more than a hundred students donate.

One of these students was senior Anna Gunter, who gave blood for her second year.

“I gave blood last year and I just really want to help people,” Gunter smiled.

The occasion took place between 8:00 am and 2:00 pm on November 20^th, and was hosted by the Student Council. Members wore red tie dye t-shirts and eased the nerves and boredom of the donators by talking to the students, as it took about five to twenty minutes for each individual to give their pint of blood.  Other members were also sitting with students in the recovery area, in which benefactors were provided with water, cookies, and juice, so they could recuperate before returning to class.  Unfortunately, several students ended up fainting because they did not take enough time to rest and attempted walking back to class. Luckily, none of these students were injured and recovered quickly after they were given water. Other students simply experienced the common symptoms of light headedness, dizziness, or soreness in the arm after giving, but these symptoms dissipated quickly. In fact, contrary to what some of the students believed, giving blood is actually a painless act.

“The finger prick hurts the most,” Gunter reaffirms, “After that, it actually feels kind of good, as weird as that sounds.”

Overall, the event ran without flaw and was lucrative. President Schultz was really pleased with the results and had this message for all who took the chance to give back.

“Thank you to all who donated! As a school we saved over 300 lives with all the blood donations. So thanks again, and donate in the future!”

*Photo by:Jessica Knable

                The second annual Hat Day, hosted by National Honor Society, was a fairly successful endeavor, with scholars collecting about 200 items that will be donated to Minnesota troops overseas. Cans of soup, car magazines, and candy were traded in for the opportunity to don baseball hats, ski caps, or fashionable berets. Some students even went all out, wearing attention seeking Cat in the Hat hats or generously giving board games such as Clue and Scrabble. Even some teachers took the occasion to contribute such as Mrs. Shea from the math department.

                Miranda Solei, a senior who donated ramen noodles for the chance to wear a purple ski cap, thought that the Hat Day was a really worthy idea.

                “People miss wearing hats and it’s for a good cause” Solei stated.

                Also, some individuals seized the opportunity to provide without feeling the need to wear a hat in return.

                “I do not need an incentive to donate,” one anonymous woman said as she placed some canned food on the donation table, “I just wanted to help out.”

                However, while the Hat Day appeared to be decently successful, there was a feeling that the benefit could have been more fruitful if the event was promoted more. Posters and announcements were only put out the Monday before the actual event, leaving little time for students to prepare items to share. This caused a negative impact since it was recommended that magazines, paperback books, or snack foods be donated, so many had to shop to get items, which added inconvenience to the time crunch. However, this did not stop some from bringing in magazines from the early 2000’s or Mary Kate and Ashley chapter books, which were not necessarily suitable for the young men and women overseas. Yet, the thoughts were very generous.

                Unfortunately, many students claimed not to be aware that the event was happening and were disappointed that they missed the chance.  Luckily for these people, the National Honor Society will host a second Hat Day later on in the year, in which donated items will be brought to the Friends in Need Food Shelf. Hopefully, the members of the National Honor Society will learn that the more the event is promoted, the more students will give.

                The second annual Hat Day was a wonderful example of the generosity of the Park High School student body, and all who donated are much appreciated.

Okay, maybe that isn’t everyone’s summer dream, but the volunteering can be just as fun as a day at the pool.  By volunteering you can explore possible career interests and try them out to see if it is a career worth pursuing.  New friends can be made and new interests can be discovered, plus it looks good on a resume.  There are many ways to lend a hand, whether it is long term or just a day, there are options galore.

           Most short term volunteer options are available through institutions that you are affiliated with.  Church is a good example of this.  Churches are frequently looking for people to aid them in Sunday School, fundraisers, and social gatherings.  Most churches post announcements like these in bulletins or in highly frequented areas.  If a younger sibling plays in a summer sport they may need help with fundraising, and many coaches wouldn’t mind a helping hand or two every once in a while. 

Another option is to pick up trash along roads or in parks; this aids the environment and boosts the look of the town while creating an interesting group project.  And if your heart is set on those days around the pool, you can always volunteer to teach swimming lessons. 

           Long term volunteer options require a commitment that in some cases may extend past the summer.  One opportunity that can be either long term or short term is helping at a homeless center.  You can prepare or distribute meals to the residents, socialize with the occupants, or work more behind the scenes in an office. 

A short term option is to hold a food drive or raise money to aid in keeping the center well stocked and running smoothly.  Hospitals are another good place to search for volunteering possibilities; this should especially be looked at for those who wish to pursue a career in the medical field.  The most common job is a candy striper.  A candy striper in most cases aids the nurses in their daily duties and interacts with patients. 

Other hospital jobs may include working at the greeting desk, sorting paperwork, or running an arts and crafts time for the children.  This job not only builds skill and experience, it also builds relationships that can carry on long after the summer ends.  People interested in working with children should consider applying for the Gillette Children’s Hospital volunteer group.  The application is no longer available for this coming summer, but it is something to keep in mind for next year. 

The library is another place that could always use a helping hand or two.  Various jobs can include anything from stacking books and aiding patrons, to reading to small children.  This opportunity is best suited for those who wish to stay in an indoor, air conditioned setting and does not mind a collection of small jobs. 

Senior Citizen Centers always welcome young volunteers to come and spend time with the elderly.  Many seniors enjoy having someone to listen to their stories and to spend time with them, and who knows, you might gain some indispensible advice.  Animal shelters are the last and perhaps most demanding of the volunteer selection.  Most local shelters have an age limit that may limit available volunteers and most also have a requirement of a certain number of volunteer hours each month, therefore guaranteeing your continuance of the program throughout the school year. 

After passing various classes and training programs options like dog walking, cat grooming, and care of small animals open up.  Although not all jobs are as glamorous as the ones above the program holds its own rewards.  A good amount of shelters also allow the option of moving up after a certain amount of experience has been gained through the basic program.  One of these options is to aid a vet as they check up on the animals and any procedures they have to perform.  This option is a good one to pursue for aspiring vets and other careers involving animals and animal science.           

           Maybe volunteering doesn’t top your list of things to do this summer, and maybe the idea of making a difference doesn’t really appeal to you.  But if you find the right opportunity that fits your interests and future job aspirations then it will feel less like a chore and more like what it is: an opportunity.  And of course any bit of volunteer work, even if it is just a random act here and there can help spice up any transcript or resume. 

These choices are not meant to limit the fun of your summer, rather they are meant to supplement it.  Below are some suggestions for various local volunteer locations, so there is no excuse to procrastinate, get out, give back to your community, and most of all, just have fun with it. 

Homeless Shelters:

Marie Sandvik Center                                             
1112 East Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407-7351
Phone: (612)870-9617

Marie Sandvik Center
1112 East Franklin Avenue
Minneapolis, MN 55407-7351
Phone: (612)870-9617

Hospitals:

Woodwinds Health Campus
1925 Woodwinds Drive
Woodbury 55125
651-232-0228
www.woodwinds.org

Gillette Children’s
Specialty Healthcare
200 E. University Avenue
St. Paul 55101
651-291-2848
www.gillettechildrens.org

St. John’s Hospital
1575 Beam Avenue
Maplewood 55109
651-232-7000
www.stjohnshospital-mn.org

Regina Medical Center
1175 Nininger Road
Hastings 55033
651-480-4100
www.reginamedical.org

Senior Citizen Centers:

South Washington Senior Center

8400 E Point Douglas Rd S, Cottage Grove, MN

Oak Ridge Manor Apartments

1199 Bahls Dr, Hastings, MN

Woodbury Health Care Center

7012 Lake Rd, Woodbury, MN

Animal Shelters:

Animal Ark
Animal Ark Home Page
957 West 7th Street, Hastings, MN 55102-3501
Telephone (651) 438-9195 or 772-8983 or 222-4651

Humane Society for Companion Animals
HSRC Homepage
1115 Beulah Lane, St. Paul, MN 55108-2602
Telephone (651) 645-7387

Minnesota Humane Society
1885 University Avenue W, St. Paul, MN 55104-3403
Telephone (651) 645-1344

                Emily Evans, who will take over as president of the club for the 2009- 2010 school year says that she found the week to be adequately successful. However, she admits she was surprised at how little was made overall. “Only about 10 people showed up to the Hunger Banquet,” Evans spills sadly, “and that is supposed to be the big fundraiser of the year.” The Hunger Banquet, which took place on a Thursday night, was a public fundraiser where people, after paying the suggested $5 donation, were split into one of three groups. The first group was the “rich” group, which was allowed to drink water and was served unlimited rice with utensils. The second group was the “middle class” group that was served rice and water, but had smaller amount and had plastic utensils. Finally, the “poor” group members had to sit on the floor and eat their miniscule amount of rice with their hands. Evans believes that the banquet was not a huge success because people were not informed enough in advance that it was taking place. “The only time the banquet was announced was the morning of the event,” Evans states, “Next year, I will definitely advertise it more.”

                However, while the banquet may have been a little disappointing, Evans says that the homeless person act was so successful that it was extended to two days instead of the scheduled one. Over the two lunch periods, the club raised just under $200. “I’ll admit that I was a bit embarrassed at first” Evans confesses when asked about impersonating a homeless person, “but I knew that it was for a good cause so I did not care as much after a while.”

                New Global Citizens will continue raising money throughout next year, and Evans is hoping to raise more awareness next year as president. “I’m planning on raising more money next year and inform people about the issues taking place in today’s world.”

“Being a Big Brother or Sister is like no other experience you’ll have in your life. The positive impact you can have on your Little is astounding.”  - High School Big Sister

“Big Brothers Big Sisters is a life changing program.” Park High School Big Sister Rachel

“Not only do you teach your Little some important things, but you also learn from your Little.”  - High School Big Sister

Currently, 14 Park High School students are mentoring students at Crestview Elementary School through Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Greater Twin Cities (BBBS) School-based Program. Once a week, these students spend an hour with their Little Brother or Sister [mentee]. During their time together, Big Brothers and Sisters (mentors) and Little Brothers and Sisters participate in activities together, including playing outside, creating arts and crafts, reading and competing against each other in a variety of board games.

When asked about his experience in the program, a current High School Big Brother says, “It only takes an hour of my time during the week. It’s worth it because I’m being productive and making a difference.” 

By volunteering in the program, students are able to get more involved in their community. They also have the opportunity to serve as role models to younger kids and help them with schoolwork. Bigs are able to create a strong bond with their Littles, and many continue their relationship throughout their high school career. 

“I like spending time with my Little and helping her with homework,” says one current High School Big Sister. “I enjoy seeing the growth she has made during the past three years.”

Fifteen high schools throughout the Twin Cities metro area participate in BBBS’ School-based Program, and more than 300 young people are matched with a High School Big Brother or Sister. Big Brothers Big Sisters is grateful to the high school students who volunteer their time to make a difference in the lives of young people.

About BBBS

For 89 years, BBBS has been matching young people ages 7-13 with adult, volunteer mentors. Big Brothers and Big Sisters provide friendship, emotional support and hope to young people. BBBS serves 11 counties in the Twin Cities metro region, including Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Hennepin, Isanti, McLeod, Ramsey, Scott, Washington and Wright. 

BBBS offers programs to meet the needs of a wide variety of volunteer interests. Community-based mentors meet with their Little Brother or Sister two to four times per month at the locations of their choice. School-based mentors meet with their Little Brother or Sister once per week at the young person’s school. What matters to young people is not what they do with their mentors, but the fact that they have a caring adult in their lives who listens when they talk about their successes, problems, hopes and fears.

Become a Mentor Today! If you or someone you know wants to be a Big Brother or Big Sister call us at 651-789-2400 or visit our website at www.bigstwincities.org. A LITTLE Bit of You Makes a BIG Difference!

651-491-1275

jthyen@bigstwincities.org

 To see the camp brochure:

http://www.pfladyslippers.com/media/document/101/2009tuneflyer.pdf