Last Week of Impact Outreach
Welcome to one of several summer 2021 Project Impact Outreach recaps from our Project Impact ROI intern. Project Impact ROI is an annual program designed to engage local high-school seniors and college-age students in community service, and expand our SHOTC youth summer programming and outreach. In return, the intern gains valuable leadership experience, credit hours (if applicable), and a monetary stipend. Know a student (18+) who would make a great intern candidate for Project Impact ROI? Click here for information.
My name is Olivia, and I’m the 2021 Hands On Thomas County Impact ROI intern! I am a graduate of Thomasville High School Scholars Academy and a sophomore at the University of Georgia. After graduating, I hope to work for a non-profit as a Financial Planner or Advisor. I am excited to be back in my home town this summer to benefit my community. Thanks for following along on my intern and volunteer adventures.
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I never thought that my summer of community service projects would come to an end, but here we are. While I have two more weeks of my internship, my last service project is in the books.
I completed two service projects with the same volunteer groups I have been working with (and befriending) all summer. Youth from the Marguerite Neel Willimas Boys and Girls Club and I tackled Stencil Art at The Ritz Amphitheater. Well, at least we thought we were going to tackle Stencil Art. Halfway to the amphitheater, though, it started to rain. Typical summer weather! But we remembered our volunteer mantra about being flexible and took it in stride.
Instead of Stencil Art, we did some inside service projects: making dog toys for the Humane Society, and memory collages for Southern Pines Senior Living. Once again, they nailed both projects. They seriously went above and beyond. Farah with the Boys and Girls Club was so dedicated that she even made cat toys which will be added to our roster of DIY project ideas. She told me quote on quote, “I don’t have dogs, but I have cats. Can we make cat toys, too? I don’t want to discriminate…”
Just like Week 2 of Outreach, they didn’t let the rain stop them or their positive energy.
The following day, the Ventures and Connections kids and I went to Southern Pines. We potted porch plants on their patio and wrote positive notes to accompany them, masked up, of course. We planted 60 flowers which were distributed to their residents to bring cheer.
It was supposed to rain, too, but we got lucky! All rays of sunshine for my last service project. This event was truly special; the residents really enjoyed watching us in action, and especially appreciated receiving the final product!
I know I said my first day was my best day, but I think I am going to retract that statement. It can’t get much better than the porch plants. I am sad to think my summer of service and outreach has ended because I loved every moment.
THANK YOU to all of our sponsors, especially our Diamond Level (and above) Sponsors Ashley HomeStore, New Hire Solutions, Mr. & Mrs. Russell Chubb, Mr. & Mrs. Howell L. Ferguson, Ms. Diane W. Parker, and Dr. & Mrs. Philip C. Watt; as well as the Thomasville Antiques Show Foundation for making volunteer programs like these possible.
