Imagine...

Imagine spending a frigid winter night on the streets. Imagine waking up on Christmas morning to nothing but a desolate room. Imagine being 7 years old and hungry each night as your helpless, frail body goes to sleep. But now imagine throngs of people stepping forth with overwhelming enthusiasm to help and volunteer. Imagine that the multitude of these loving and caring individuals are teens right here in Sussex County! In just the past 7 years volunteers have dedicated over 75,500 hours of community service to the remarkable and tender non-profit organization titled Pass It Along. This extraordinary organization has touched the lives of not only those aided through these efforts, but also the many volunteers who assist in projects and programs, including myself. I have had the privilege and honor to serve with Pass It Along for several years and after serving as an AmeriCorps minimum time member this year, I have had life experiences like no other. Pass It Along has been the gateway to my love for volunteering, the passion which drives me internally and a truly remarkable change for every single life helped. It’s incredible to see the gratitude and love you receive in return when you bake cookies and sing for the elderly or when you teach children who have never seen a pool how to swim. I didn’t just get to see the smiles on people’s faces, but also the smile on my own face every time I helped someone and got to brighten my day by brightening someone else’s. While serving meals to seniors on Thanksgiving, we drove up to an elderly woman’s home to deliver her meal. Her delicate, wobbly arm squeaked the door open and there stood a petite lady with a smile that stretched as far across her face as humanly possible. She let us in, balanced herself, opened her arms and embraced me and my friend, thanking us with the utmost gratitude for what we had done. She could not help but shed a few tears for the few pieces of turkey and stuffing we had brought her. I could not help but shed a few tears for the overwhelming appreciation she gave us for the hour out of our day. Who knew that such a small act of kindness could mean the world to someone? Experiences like these have filled my heart and are true inspiration that I keep with me forever. I was given love and compassion from so many strangers that I reached a helping hand out to and learned that volunteering is an innate desire among all of us. Helping others is an authentically rewarding phenomenon. Being thankful for what we have and not always wanting more is genuine satisfaction in life. This experience was one of many that have left a lasting impact on my heart. Volunteering with Pass It Along has honestly made me a happier person and fostered my positive attitude in life. I have met so many astounding volunteers who have become close friends and I have seen the stupendous and superb effects of small and large groups of committed people coming together to make a change. Pass It Along has become my second family, the greatest change in my life thus far and a truly remarkable miracle that has blessed me. Sarah Munley Vernon High School Student and AmeriCorps Member For more information, visit www.passitalong.org.