Explanation of My Service

I chose St. Vincent de Paul because I wanted to be apart of their mission, “people in need — and the general public — can shop for low-cost clothing, furniture and household items. The stores also operate as neighborhood distribution centers, where the people we serve can receive much needed items free of charge. Our store sales help fund the programs and services we provide to the homeless and working poor.”  Upon arrival at St. Vincent de Paul I was truly unaware of the tasks I would be completing.  My first impression of the store was that it was old, cluttered, and to a kid from Anthem, uninviting.  But, even with these immediate nerves and doubts, I was still eager to get my hands dirty and help in any way I could.  Little did I know, I’d really be getting my hands dirty performing some intensive labor.  I was placed out behind the store, where I and an ex-military man, Lance, (or “Muscles” as I began to call him) would unload people’s various donations.  We then took these donations and did one of three things: placed them in bins to be shipped downtown for other stores, threw them away, or priced them and put the items out for purchase.  I found it astonishing at the amount of items that people donated simply due to the fact that they viewed them as useless.  Ironically we would take these “useless” items, and place them in the store and then watch individual after individual scoop them up as if they had just found gold.  For two days I was able to participate in this great process.  As I stated above, I really wasn’t looking forward to the service, but after I began working I enjoyed what I was doing and now looking back I am thankful that I was able to help those in need.