Week 2 – 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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When it rains, it pours! And it sure did pour the week of June 21st, but the rain didn’t keep us down during our second week of Project Impact Outreach. Boy, our summer of service just keeps getting better and better!
I was ecstatic to start the new week having two events: one with the Marguerite Neel Williams Boys and Girls Club on Tuesday morning and another project with Vashti’s Ventures & Connections on Wednesday morning. Double the fun!!
On June 22nd, the Boys and Girls Club completed Thomas County Rocks and wrote positive letters to senior citizens. Originally, we were supposed to be outside doing stencil art, but the weather kept us indoors.
Even though it rained and rained, the Boys and Girls Club kids didn’t let it stop their fun while we completed Positivity Rocks designed to bring smiles to local community members who find them hidden around town. These kids are artists. I mean they are seriously talented. One volunteer even drew Spongebob and Plankton on rocks! Go check out our pictures!
We didn’t get to hide the rocks because of the rain, but we calculated and coordinated each place we WOULD LIKE to hide our rocks, so for next time, we know exactly where we are going to put them. I truly love this service project which is just a random act of kindness anyone can perform. It is simple and sweet. Rain or sunshine the positivity shines through. And to be completely honest, I can’t wait till we hide them (and you find them!)
Then, the following day on the 23rd, I led a service project for Ventures & Connections at NeverLost, a non-profit that advocates and provides resources for children and families transitioning through the court and/or foster system. I had never heard of NeverLost until this internship, and it is probably one of my new favorite nonprofits to help.
We wrote letters to foster kids and then organized the Donation Room which was filled with clothes, books, toys, diapers, and toiletries. Every item in that room can make a kid’s (or family’s) life just a little bit easier. All I can say is if anyone needs help with cleaning and organizing, I think we are your people — Ventures & Connections crushed it! A big thank you to Hannah Phillips and Wendy Green for allowing us to volunteer at NeverLost. Be sure to check out their website and lend a hand when you are able.
The Boys and Girls Club and Ventures & Connections never let the gloomy weather ruin their mood. Both groups had fun and made a difference. At the end of each project, we all knew we were doing something good, which is what makes this internship so meaningful and special to me. I can’t ask for anything better than that.
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.
