April Blog: And Just Like That, We are Done!

 Monthly Community Service Hours: 14.5 Hours 

Cumulative Spring Semester Service Hours Completed: 25.5 Hours

Semester Volunteering Breakdown: 

    Giving Hope: 9 hours

    Second Harvest: 15 hours

    Zeus Animal Rescue: 1.5 hours

 Giving Hope: Grocery Boxes

 Giving Hope NOLA

    During my visits at Giving Hope this month, I continued prepping and filling grocery boxes. The days volunteering here have gotten easier. I assume it's my body getting used to the hard work the dediateds volunteers do daily. I helped organize meats, dairy products, and bread products for the families that come in to pick up their boxes. This month, I was also able to learn more about Giving Hope and its impact.  I spent spend time speaking with the Volunteer and Outreach Manager at Second Harvest. Lan Hoang has been apart of the Giving Hope Foundation and has been organizing Giving Hope's biggest fundraiser, Hope Gala New Orleans, for many years now. I am excited to say that she has recruit me to help out later this year. 

Zeus' Rescue: Walking Merlie

Zeus' Rescue

    Tulane's Biomedical Science Student Association hosted their spring community service even at Zeus' Rescue this month. Sophie and I signed up as dog walkers. We each took the dogs on their first walk of the day, giving them much-needed time to stretch their legs and get a break from the kennels. My first walk was with Merlie (shown in the picture), Fiona, and Baby Doll for around 20 minutes each. I ended the morning playing with the cats inside the cat room. If you are looking to adopt or rescue, I highly recommend checking out their website. They are going amazing work trying to help these pets in find their forever home.  

Volunteer Appreciation T-shirt

Second Harvest Reily Food Kitchen

    I volunteered for two shifts at Reily Food Kitchen again this month. There is something about waking up early for their 6 a.m. shifts that are so rewarding. These shifts were different from my prior shifts. Instead of packing meals, we prepped the foods for the next shift. During both of the shifts, we prepped and seasoned chicken thighs, cut potatoes, open and laying out meats to thaw, and prepping apple pie filling for cobble. Towards the end of the shift, we packaged snack bags for schools, which included dolce mixed fruit and utensils. Second Harvest celebrated Volunteer Fest/Appreciation Month. After our shifts, the kitchen staff treated us with breakfast, cookies, and gifted us t-shirts to show their appreciation. 

The End of The Semester

    Aside from taking the time to give back this month, we wrapped up this program this past Monday with our last exam. It's crazy how fast this programs has flown by. I have learned so much from our amazing professors and our very own program coordinator, Mr. Linda. I am going to miss Tulane University and the friends I have made in this program. With our hooding ceremony and graduation coming up, I am excited to plan the next steps in becoming a dentist. I hope to continue giving back to the community with me as I move forward. Thank you for coming along with journey with me. 

Kayla Nguyen