We are here to volunteer. Period. 'Nuff said.

My name is Mandy Martin, and I am one of the student coordinators for this year's ASB trip. Today we had a sad set back. For the first half of yesterday, we organized and labeled and folded clothes to be donated to people without. Sadly, we had to stop because of some really strong winds. Even sadder, today we found out that the tent we had been working in had half collapsed on all our hard work. We helped them to remove the clothes so that the tent can be taken down, but it was so sad to see all that work reversed. However, our day took a full 180 when we were assigned a new project. We were sent to Mr. Phillip's house to clean up his backyard. At first I didn't understand why we were working here instead of on a project more directly related to the tornados. I soon learned that I had been looking a this trip all wrong. We are here to volunteer. Period. 'Nuff said. I had to realize that community service is serving others. It is helping those who can't help themselves. Mr. Phillips had been in and out of surgery for the past few years and isn't young enough to get yardwork done anymore. That is all one needs to know before jumping up to help. At the end of a full day of hard work, I took a trip around his yard to find that we had made more than a dent in progress! As if that wasn't enough to make me feel like we'd accomplished enough, Mr. Phillips gratitude was! Today's sight was one of my best memories from this trip thus far. Many of us are hoping to comeback and finish up the rest of the work. But as for now, we are going to find a tasty Ma and Pop to eat. Now that's exciting!