By: Stephanie Crook

In my own words, service learning is volunteering for a nonprofit organization, and learning to help others for nothing in return for yourself except a feeling of self worth. Service learning is also known as community service.

In Fall 2007 I received ten hours by… *Car wash at Sonny’s BBQ *Brought in 200 cans in exchange for two hours * Brought in two operation Christmas child boxes in exchange for two hours *Rapped Christmas presents for needy children

*A car wash at Long Horns Steak house for four hours. Profits went to the American Cancer Society. *Volunteering at Goodwill for six hours, hanging up clothes, picking out pant hangers from a box, and pulling clothes out to sell.

 I would pick clothes out of a box, to see if they were in good condition, meaning no stains, no rips, and not too old and warn down. I would then hang clothes on a hanger and place them on a rack until there were 100 items on the rack. After 100 items, a goodwill employee would tag them, and I would start the process over.

Hanging up clothes

Over all, as much as I dreaded doing ten hours of community service per semester, I am not bitter about it because It was a good experience. Everyone was very friendly, and I could see in their faces how much they appreciated our work.

 Same thing at the car wash, it was also a good experience, some people just came to get their car cleaned, and others came just because they knew we were donating to the American Cancer Society, and someone they know has cancer. Overall the important thing is not why they came but that they came and donated for a good cause.

 I learned they even though you might not directly see how your service learning influences someone, more people then you know really appreciated your time and help. I could see how much the employees at goodwill appreciated some work off their work load.

 At the car wash I learned people, more than you may think, really appreciated us raising money to find a cure for cancer. Cancer affects a lot of people and, more people than I thought donated a lot of money to support the cause.

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