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Next week, on Saturday, September 28, we celebrate our 30th Annual Day of Caring. Volunteers from across the community will spend a selfless Saturday morning helping others. It’s one of my favorite days of the year and reminds me of my first experience participating in a day of service. During orientation week my freshman year of college, I was paired with seniors at a local assisted-living facility. While there, I met a man named Lupe who was causing all sorts of trouble with the staff–cracking jokes, doing tricks with his wheelchair, and laughing constantly. He was definitely the resident clown.
Lupe intrigued me, and I as I talked with him I learned that he was transported from Mexico to North Dakota to work in the fields when he was young. Shortly after arriving in North Dakota though, he was struck by a tractor and lost his legs.
Lupe forever touched my life with his story. I felt inspired by his positive attitude and joy for life, despite his life-changing accident. From that day on, I knew I wanted to pursue being of service for my career. I went on to join the Peace Corps as an education volunteer in rural Madagascar, and after returning I took an internship with United Way. I never expected my freshman orientation day of service to have such a profound impact on my life, but I am forever grateful that it did.
I encourage you to lend your muscle and bring your loved ones to join us for our 30th Annual Day of Caring. Volunteering your time with hundreds of others countywide puts the “WE” before “ME.” And who knows, perhaps something from that morning might just impact the direction your life takes.
United Way of Ventura County