Chili, Pumpkins and Building Houses

Tamra Gredell
When thinking of a service project to do it took me some time to figure out what I wanted to do. I knew I wanted to do a service project related to less fortunate families. My first thought was Habitat for Humanity, I wanted to get involved with the organization so I could learn more about non-profit organizations as well as learn more about this organization specifically so I could bring my knowledge to Tippie Build at The University of Iowa.
When I reached out to Habitat for Humanity they only needed volunteers for build days. I agreed to volunteer for a build day but I wanted to do more. I found an organization called Hawthorne Hill. This organization gives homeless women with children a place to live. This organization was looking for volunteers to cook meals and host children’s activities.
I signed up to cook two meals and host two children’s activities. The first meal I cooked I chose to make chili and cornbread. Making a meal for 35-40 people was definitely a challenge especially because I have a reputation for being a terrible cook. I managed to make the meal without burning down my kitchen and delivered it on time to the New Beginnings Shelter.
My next goal was to host a children’s activity. This was also a challenge for me because my reputation with children is not one to be admired. I decided to carve pumpkins since it was the week before Halloween. Jarren was an energetic seven year old who had never carved a pumpkin. He chose the hardest outline to carve and after a minute of hesitation we tackled the pumpkin carving together. It didn’t turn out to be perfect but it was the best pumpkin Jarren and I had ever carved. For the second pumpkin we chose to carve something much simpler.
After we carved pumpkins I stayed to play with Jarren, the way he talked about having to wear a donated costume for Halloween and how he wanted me to stay for a long time because he simply just wanted someone to play with made me feel so thankful.
I have volunteered for organization in the past and I feel as though I have never gotten so much out of volunteering as I did that day playing with Jarren. He made me realize how fortunate I am, he made me appreciate my family, friends, and all the other small things I take for granted.
This past weekend I was finally able to participate in a Habitat for Humanity build day. It was much harder than I had anticipated. I thought that because I had no experience building houses that I would just be painting or doing something far less labor intensive. Instead I was helping nail plywood to studs on the second floor, and I was helping install foam insulation to the outside of the house. I was climbing ladders and nailing nails. I felt accomplished when I left the build site for the day, I was amazed that I had actually had a small part in building a house.
Completing these various service projects has made me feel that I have made a small difference; I think the biggest difference was to Jarren. Just spending a couple of hours with him I could tell that I had made his day just that much better.