When most people think of fall they envision pumpkins, colorful leaves and cozy outfits, but what is often overlooked is the aspect of giving thanks during the season. Spreading kindness and love is an important part of Thanksgiving that allows families and friends to come together and help the community.
Volunteering your time to help different aspects of society can be very rewarding and it is one great way to show your appreciation for what you have. The Division of Volunteer Efforts (DOVE) offers students diverse volunteer opportunities that are not too time consuming and do not require previous experience.
Whether it’s volunteering to serve food for the homeless at the St. John’s Soup Kitchen or serving as a tutor for adults at the Northern State Prison, there is a volunteer opportunity for everyone.
Sophomore Nicole Archibald, program coordinator for DOVE, suggests people look more closely at the relationships they have and realize how grateful they are for their friends and family.
She said “it’s all about reflecting on what you’re grateful for and who's special in your life.”
In addition to that, Sophomore Linette Perez, secretary for the Martin Luther King Scholarship Association, said the group gives back during the Thanksgiving season by hosting their annual event on homelessness in which they prepare care packages for the homeless.
Although giving back to people and our community is beneficial, it can be equally important to give back to Mother Earth as well. Deciding to recycle more often and pick up stray pieces of trash can make a difference in the environment. Giving back to our planet not only helps the Earth, but also the people on it.
A simple way to give thanks is to pursue random acts of kindness. Smiling at your neighbor, helping a struggling friend with a class or even just recycling a soda can someone else discarded are all easy ways to strengthen your community. Deciding to be happier and have a more positive out- look on life can affect and empower others around you to also become more positive.
Sophomore Joseph Sewhani, founder of the Dreamscape Foundation, said he and his team express kindness by developing a volunteer network of people who simply want to embrace the mission.
He suggests that “this holiday season treat people the way you want to be treated and help those you see who are in need.”
Mackenzie Scibetta can be reached at mackenzie.scibetta@student.shu.edu.
