What A Week...Walltown Teen Camp!
By: Chris Gatewood, Volunteer Services and Operations Management Intern
Volunteering is often considered an unselfish act and many times is intended to promote the common good and improve the quality of human life. Volunteering produces feelings of self-worth, respect, and opens our eyes to some of the challenges in the world around us. The Walltown Teen Camp (WTC) did a remarkable job of volunteering unselfishly during the week of July 9-13. During that week they helped 8 different non-profit agencies throughout Durham and learned about the mission and importance of each. In 2017, the estimated value of a volunteer’s time in NC was $23.41/hr. So, WTC donated nearly $5,700 worth of time back to their community! (independentsector.org)
On Tuesday the teens helped two local organizations, Keep Durham Beautiful and The Goodwill Community Foundation’s Farm. Keep Durham Beautiful is devoted to “litter prevention, recycling and waste reduction, and beautification/community greening.” During that activity we were able to provide the Walltown Park Recreation Center and the surrounding area with a litter clean up. (keepdurhambeautiful.org)
The Goodwill Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that uses the revenue generated from their stores to provide education and food to people around the world. During our time there we split into 3 groups: one group for sorted the donated jewelry, one worked outside to pull up corn stocks, and one broke down old electronics for eco-recycling. The teens learned of the environmental importance of electronic recycling and even managed to recycle 15 pounds of metal from the old electronics. (gcfglobal.org)
Later that day, the teens ventured over to the TROSA thrift shop. TROSA is a substance abuse rehabilitation program in which the attendees stay two years and are given job training while working in various capacities. During our time at TROSA the teens diligently sorted through donated items. We also were able to hear personal accounts from TROSA residents on their struggles with drugs and alcohol and how to avoid negative behaviors and influences. (trosainc.org)
Thursday morning the teens learned about the wide variety of different types of non-profit groups when they helped with the Diaper Bank. The Diaper Bank is an organization that helps to provide diapers and feminine hygiene products to organizations in the community, one of which is Welcome Baby. In turn, Welcome Baby distributes the products to residents in the Durham area. There is a need for these items due to their prices and inability to be covered under social welfare programs. The teens split into two groups and had a small competition to see who could pack the most diapers. After it was all said and done, we managed to pack up 8,736 diapers worth over $2,200. (ncdiaperbank.org)
On Thursday afternoon we traveled to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. Once there, the teens helped to sort onions that were donated. The Food Bank’s mission is that No One Goes Hungry in Central & Eastern North Carolina. This is accomplished by distributing donated food to churches, soup kitchens, and other organizations in the area who provide meals to residents. (foodbankcenc.org)
To end the week, we helped pack and deliver food with Meals on Wheels, a national organization that has local chapters. Meals on Wheels of Durham is a group of volunteers who deliver hot, low-fat meals to isolated, disabled seniors and others in need. During our time there, we were able to deliver nearly 50 meals to people in Durham. The teens were able to witness first hand how much of an impact donating just a small amount of their time can have. (mowdurham.org)
What is a Volunteer?
Volunteer: [vol-uhn-teer] - n. One of life's most valuable natural resources.
So, what did we do?...
Senior CommUnity Care of North Carolina
Our first stop of the week was with Senior CommUnity Care of North Carolina. This is a center that allows mature adults to be taken care of during the day, while still remaining at their homes. During our visit, we brought smiles to the faces of the mature adults by doing arts & crafts and playing games. The teens did a superb job of breaking out of their comfort zones and being high energy with the people at the center. (seniorcommunitycarenc.org)Keep Durham Beautiful and Goodwill Community Foundation
The Goodwill Community Foundation is a nonprofit organization that uses the revenue generated from their stores to provide education and food to people around the world. During our time there we split into 3 groups: one group for sorted the donated jewelry, one worked outside to pull up corn stocks, and one broke down old electronics for eco-recycling. The teens learned of the environmental importance of electronic recycling and even managed to recycle 15 pounds of metal from the old electronics. (gcfglobal.org)
Fun Caravan and TROSA Thrift Shop
Wednesday morning the teens met a new challenge when helping with our Fun Caravan. The Fun Caravan is DPR’s mobile recreation program equipped with a host of fun activities for children ages 12 and under. The fun, active and engaging activities are held in various parks in Durham. The teens had to show leadership and maturity when helping run activities like the arts & crafts station and a football game for the kids. (DPRPlayMore.org)Later that day, the teens ventured over to the TROSA thrift shop. TROSA is a substance abuse rehabilitation program in which the attendees stay two years and are given job training while working in various capacities. During our time at TROSA the teens diligently sorted through donated items. We also were able to hear personal accounts from TROSA residents on their struggles with drugs and alcohol and how to avoid negative behaviors and influences. (trosainc.org)
Diaper Bank, Food Bank and Meals on Wheels
Thursday morning the teens learned about the wide variety of different types of non-profit groups when they helped with the Diaper Bank. The Diaper Bank is an organization that helps to provide diapers and feminine hygiene products to organizations in the community, one of which is Welcome Baby. In turn, Welcome Baby distributes the products to residents in the Durham area. There is a need for these items due to their prices and inability to be covered under social welfare programs. The teens split into two groups and had a small competition to see who could pack the most diapers. After it was all said and done, we managed to pack up 8,736 diapers worth over $2,200. (ncdiaperbank.org)On Thursday afternoon we traveled to the Food Bank of Central and Eastern NC. Once there, the teens helped to sort onions that were donated. The Food Bank’s mission is that No One Goes Hungry in Central & Eastern North Carolina. This is accomplished by distributing donated food to churches, soup kitchens, and other organizations in the area who provide meals to residents. (foodbankcenc.org)
To end the week, we helped pack and deliver food with Meals on Wheels, a national organization that has local chapters. Meals on Wheels of Durham is a group of volunteers who deliver hot, low-fat meals to isolated, disabled seniors and others in need. During our time there, we were able to deliver nearly 50 meals to people in Durham. The teens were able to witness first hand how much of an impact donating just a small amount of their time can have. (mowdurham.org)
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