ServiceLearningLog-MarisaRodriguez

Meal Delivery Shift on 4/12/08
Approximately 2 hours worked

First all of us four girls met at Centennial Halls around 12:20. It was really nice that no one was late because we were able to leave promptly when they other two girls arrived from J-Mac. As the driver, I didn’t want to be overwhelmed with getting to Project Angel Heart in time. On the drive there, we talked about how we didn’t know what to expect. I was a little nervous that something would go wrong. We questioned if we were going to have much contract with the clients or if there was going to be any interaction at all. Really, there was just no way of knowing how things were going to turn out. We arrived at Project Angel Heart and the informative meeting had already begun. When first walking in, we saw a handful of people wearing CSU Fort Collins t-shirts. There were also, couples and even one woman with a baby.

Before receiving our informative meeting, the driver had to sign a liability form. I thought some of the statements were quite odd, such as if I see a client outside of delivering their food, I can not acknowledge them what so ever, unless they do so first. Some of the other agreements included not going into the house for any reason. We were not allowed to help the clients reach anything on a top shelf, and we definitely were not allowed to drive the clients to any appoints. I can see how Project Angel Heart wants to inform the volunteers of what is acceptable and not because there are many things that could go wrong if the volunteers were to interact more with the clients.

Then, Russ, the distribution coordinator, talked about all the procedures. We couldn’t help the clients with anything; we couldn’t even go in the house. Our job was to deliver and not ask any questions. Russ also explained the procedure of the route and taking the food to the house. Some people had specific directions for delivering their meals. Russ told us a story of a man who lived on the second level and throws down a rope. The food deliverer then attaches the meal bag to the rope and the man pulls the rope back up. I thought, how strange. Why not just go to the door? Russ explained that not all customers are willing to talk to, or even be seen by the deliver. This was a bit disappointing because as a volunteer, I think that I sometimes expect to “change lives” directly. When we first learned of our service to Project Angel Heart, I had assumed that those with kitchen shifts were mainly just conversing with other volunteers and the delivery shift was the time to meet clients. I was just disappointed to discover that I wouldn’t be able to observe first hand the benefits that Angel Heart brings.

After Russ’s speech, we were given our route. We had only three houses. This again was a bit disappointing because I was expecting a few more than that. Luckily, our route was all around the university. The only problem was, what was the best way of getting there. All four of us looked and the map and finally concluded that we needed to cross I-25 and travel north-west to get to our first house. The lady didn’t answer the door, so we had to leave the bag with a note saying we where there. How sad that our first house wasn’t all that we had expected. Maybe it was disappointing because our first house felt as though we hadn’t really done anything except leave a perfectly good bag of food on a stranger’s front porch. Megan and Karren did make it positive by being excited to leave one of the “We we here slips.” Our next house, the woman came to the door, took the bag and retreated back inside. I thought that the house smelled strongly of smoke. Our third stop was at an apartment. I didn’t go to the door, but I was told that the apartment building smelled strongly of smoke once again. I felt really bad for the man and for the living situation.

Since beginning to volunteer at Project Angel Heart, I have contemplated service learning. I always thought that it was selfish to volunteer and greatly enjoy it. The best model I can give is the old philosophical argument of which is better: the means or the end? Concerning volunteering, I have always thought that the volunteer should be completely selfless, like Mother Theresa. We have all heard the stories of how she would serve those who were completely desperate, with decaying bodies, and possibly contagious illnesses. She continued to serve. That takes great courage and selflessness! Even though I still admire her and revere her as one of the lowliest servants, I see that there are other levels of helping others. It isn’t at all practical for many of us to drop out of school to go to a third world country. What is more realistic is to help out in our own communities. Working with Project Angel Heart has began to show me that every little bit helps. All people needs nutrients to survive. If volunteering with this organization allows for even just a few people to feel less burdened, then it is worth it.

Concerning the means and the end, the end result ultimately matters. There may be students in the class who don’t feel passionate about the service learning aspect of the class. They will still volunteer and help others, even if their heart isn’t completely involved. By serving others (the means) result in a good deed (the end.) Then there are those who do feel on fire for helping others. Their means and end happen to align, but I have found that maybe the aligning doesn’t matter as much and the result? It’s crucial to our society that all jobs are filled, or else our society wouldn’t function properly. The same applies civic engagement/volunteering. There is so much help needed all over the world that as long as someone fulfills it, the job is getting done, regardless of if it is forced work, as in the case of the community service, you done willfully on a regular basis.