For my Rose event this week, I tried out something new: I joined a few people going off campus to Catholic Charities of Ithaca, who was holding a free yard sale for members of the Ithaca community, and helped them set up and organize clothes for a couple of hours. Initially, I had my reservations about doing this particular event, but after it was all said and done, I was very glad I did. Engaging in an event that would positively impact the lives of those in our community was refreshing- I got to meet people I wouldn’t otherwise encounter during my normal day here at Cornell. In addition, it felt good to help other people, and get off campus, and the responsibilities that come with it, for a bit. Although I spent a couple of hours bustling around and attempting to keep some semblance of organization to an ever shifting pile of clothes, I felt more relaxed upon my return than when I left. It reminded me that sometimes it can be helpful, and relaxing to get away from Cornell for a bit and try something different. We even got a nice before and after picture of our table of wares.
Before
…and After
Wow! I think its great that Cornell students are taking initiative to work with the Ithaca community. As students of this university, we use a lot of Ithaca’s resources and are not able to give back as much. It is nice to see that the Rose Scholar’s program facilitated such charitable causes. Thank you for your volunteerism.
I think that this sounds like a great event and a great opportunity to give back to the Ithaca community. I was wondering why you were hesitant to take part in this event. I would understand if it was because you were worried about people who do not need the free things coming and taking them, but maybe I am naive in my belief that people would not be that cruel.
I can see many reasons why one might not be necessarily eager to go to one of these events. There is a risk of being one of very few attendees, and having to do many tasks by oneself. It also took place in the morning on the weekend, if I recall properly, and a lot of us lazy college students aren’t totally willing to wake up that early. Additionally, on first glance, volunteer work is just that: work. One only receives the payout once he/she completes the entire gauntlet. And, of course, there is the point that you mentioned. What if all the recipients aren’t as nice as they could be? How would one deal with them?
However, things worked out, and, as others have said before me, the good feelings one gets as pay far outstrip anything a few pieces of green paper could do.
I have to agree with Monica here that Jerry’s hesitation to attend this event is odd, as it seems at first glance to be a very charitable and selfless event. Seeing it from his side however, I can understand that early morning events can be challenging to attend based on the heavy schedule that we have as students, or even if we are out late night using our free time to shoot around at Noyes. Also I don’t think it is naive to believe that people are not so malicious to take clothes they don’t need when there are people who desperately need them.