Hannah service learning log 1

On April 15, 2008, I completed my first shift with Project Angel Heart as part of the kitchen team. The building was not difficult to locate, though traffic was somewhat of a problem that day: Thankfully I arrived on time. When I walked in, I introduced myself to a group of volunteers, who were expecting me and was then introduced to Tohm, the head chef for the night. Tohm was enthusiastic, and gave me the task of peeling carrots. I was surprised when he rolled out a cart filled with twenty pound bags of overgrown carrots. However, I was working with another volunteer named Kathy, and we soon found a rhythm and got it done within an hour. Next was scooping soups into single serve bowls, and that's when Kathy and I began talking.


Kathy has been volunteering with Project Angel Heart for almost three years, and works in the kitchen every other week. What motivated her to join was seeing the positive affect the organization had in the life of her friend who became infected with HIV/AIDS roughly ten years ago. As his disease progressed into AIDS, he was placed on numerous test-drugs, and unfortunately one of the side effects was legal blindness. Unable to fully take care of himself, Project Angel Heart regularly delivered him healthy meals. "They saved his life more than once", Kathy told me. Now she is happy to report that her friend's illness is almost undetectable thanks to a new drug combination that is working well for him. As our conversation progressed, I asked her questions about Project Angel Heart itself, such as where does the food come from. Tohm, the chef told me that a fraction of it is donated, but a majority they buy from food banks at a reduced price. Therefore, they are protective of their resources and stressed the importance of not wasting food.


Midway through the shift, Tohm was nice enough to let us try fresh cinnamon rolls he baked, before it was back to scooping soup. Here I met another volunteer who showed me the proper way to scoop to reduce upper-arm tension. An older woman with a background in construction, she was more than willing to tell me about her past injuries and how one must be in a neutral body position to avoid pain. We didn't have the opportunity to talk much because soon it was time to wipe tables, mop floors, and leave.


Overall, I had a good experience. My initial expectation was that everyone was going to be outgoing and enthusiastic about volunteering considering all the volunteers there that night were regulars. However, they were methodical and calm, and approached volunteering much like one approaches a job. Clearly they were committed, but very few showed passion like Kathy and Tohm. What I learned through talking with the volunteers, and observing them was that volunteering should not be approached like a sacrifice of time that you could use for something else. Volunteering should be an enjoyable activity for a cause people feel passionate about. It is only then that a real contribution is being made because it's coming from a self-less place rather than one of obligation. As a person who has volunteered before and currently is a volunteer with another organization, I believe that people should only volunteer for causes they feel passionate about, or have a connection to because it encourages commitment and makes for better job performance. While Project Angel Heart's demographic is not my typical area, I think what they're doing is honorable and wouldn't mind participating again.