My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Rain Gardens

On Tuesday, the group headed out to two local elementary schools and helped clean up their rain gardens that are a part of the Schoolyard Rain Garden Project. 

Tuesday consisted of working at two local elementary schools

These rain gardens intercept stormwater runoff from entering nearby bodies of water by trapping litter and other various pollutants. 

First, we traveled to Kitty Hawk Elementary School. Here, there was a small rain garden filled with trash and weeds. 

We picked up all the litter, raked dead leaves, weeded the entire area, and put down a fresh bed of mulch. 

We worked on the rain garden
at Kitty Hawk Elementary School

Our work at Kitty Hawk Elementary School prepared us for our next stop, the First Flight Elementary School. Here, we tackled a larger rain garden by raking away dead leaves, picking up trash, picking out weeds, and using about 15 bags of mulch to make the rain garden look fresh. 

The end result of our work at First Flight Elementary School

Although we were tied down by monotonous work, I realized how beautiful nature can be. For me, the past year has been one filled with experiences of exploring nature and getting to know the environment around me. The best part of Tuesday was seeing the end product and realizing the impact of our hard work. So far, through Altetnative Spring Break, I have been able to appreciate the beauty if nature and become more aware of how to preserve and protect our environment. As we continue to explore different aspects of nature, I hope I can create new goals to maintain my role is protecting nature. 

All photos are my own.

My Alternative Spring Break Journey: Protecting Water Quality

Monday was the first day of volunteering with the North Carolina Coastal Federation. The organization works to protect wildlife and provide clean water quality.

The North Carolina Coastal Federation

We started the day refreshing our minds with the water cycle and learning about the causes of water pollution. A fact that stood out to me was when we discussed how stormwater runoff is the number one source of pollution in the United States and in North Carolina. Not only that, but other factors, such as oil, fertilizer, pet waste, and litter, al contribute to water pollution.

A new lesson for me included our discussion of ways to prevent these runoffs and pollution for entering bodies of water. 

One item that helps prevent stormwater runoff and water pollution is a rain garden. 

Rain gardens intercept stormwater runoff from the roof and other nearby surfaces. Rain gutters are connected to a drain buried underground that lead to these gardens, where plants capture the stormwater runoff deep in the ground. Rain gardens prevent the spread of pollution into nearby bodies of water. 

One of the rain gardens at the North Carolina Coastal Federation 

Another interesting item to help intercept runoff are pervious, or permeable, surfaces. While impervious pavements, like common druveways and roads, push runoff and debris into nearby bodies of water, perviois pavement allows for the layer of compacted soil to trap pollutants and reducd stormwater runoff. This type of pavement includes a base and a sub-base with compacted gravel or soil in between so runoff gets soaked and intercepted. 

Pervious pavement

After learning about these items to protect water quality in the area, we got to work weeding the rain gardens, picking up litter, and raking leaves.

I felt satisfied after seeing the difference we made at the NC Coastal Federation through weeding and cleaning the rain gardens and area. The day provided me with a new insight into how a simple rain garden or a certain type of pavement could contribute to providing clean water quality. 

River behind the NCCF where runoff and pollutants end up

After hearing that stormwater runoff, pet waste, fetilizer, oil, and other everyday items contribute to pollution and poor water quality, I realized that everyone can play a role in reducing the amont of stormwater runoff to maintain a clean water quality and to protect wildlife. We can pick up pet waste, compost food, build rain gardens, implement green roofs or pervious payments, and reduce the amount of fertilizer and oil spills. If we can be mindful of how our everyday actions effect clean water and wildlife, then we can help protect bodies of water from being polluted. 

All photos are my own

In Touch with Nature

It's been such a busy summer and a long semester, and my blog posts have not been up to par! But I'm back at it just in time for 2016!

To recap my last volunteer experience, I went to the Cayuga Nature Center through Service Saturday. This experience was far different than any other volunteering experience I have ever had! It was the first time I was working outdoors at a nature center to rake leaves and remove trees. The group and I moved piles of tree branches and cleaned the landscape around the center to make it a bit cleaner as winter approaches.

At Cayuga Nature Center, I was able to help with raking the fall leaves and cleaning up some of the outgrown trees and weeds surrounding the yard. Although the weather was chilly and summer was certainly over, I had come to realize how much of a difference raking leaves makes to an organization such as the nature center. And, of course, I got to see how fun raking leaves can be!

Raking leaves at Cayuga Nature Center

As I spoke with the facilities manager, he informed me that having a group of people - no matter how small - help with cleaning up the yard and preparing nature for the winter ahead was a really large help. For him, it is often difficult to maintain all of the yard work and the indoors facilities and maintenance around the center so having volunteers to complete tasks he had wanted to complete, but hasn't had time to, means a lot.

My volunteer group had much fun exploring the wilderness and maintaining the environment. 

Through my day at the nature center, I recognized the need for more volunteers at nature organizations. It is important to clean and maintain not only the yards, but also the hiking trails in order to create a more clean environment for the people who visit. In a scenic place such as Ithaca, many of the trails call for beautiful hikes. It would be a shame to let these trails go to waste just because there weren't enough volunteers to help with the maintenance of them. At my time with the nature center, I got in touch with nature and worked to improve the environment for environment-enthusiasts and hikers. My advice for those seeking a new experience volunteering would be to definitely try working at a nature center. It allows a new perspective on caring for the environment and why maintaining nature is such an important aspect to our lives. After all, we want the Earth to be around for future generations, right?

"We don't inherit the earth from our ancestors, we borrow it from our children" ~ David Brower

Serving Others...And Yourself

Over the past few Service Saturday weekends, I visited the local Salvation Army and helped prepare and serve food to members of the community.

The Salvation Army of Ithaca is a space for community members to find hope, solace, and faith through religious services and community meals. My most memorable volunteer experiences have resulted from the time I have spent working with the Salvation Army staff. 

Through my time at the Salvation Army, I have not only prepared and served lunch, but have also had the privilege of interacting with the community members, my favorite aspect of working with the organization. I enjoy engaging with members of the community because the experience strengthens my knowledge and bond with Tompkins County and the city of Ithaca. 

I believe it is important to engage with members of the community in order to facilitate communication and discussion about current events and issues. I have learned that through dialogue and interaction with the residents who live in Ithaca, I can shed light to the social and unjust issues currently lingering in the city. 

With my involvement in the Salvation Army, I have seen how the organization is making a difference in the community by providing the necessary resources, such as food, to those in need.

I am preparing lunch with my Service Saturday team to serve to the members of the community

To me, volunteering at the Salvation Army is especially important during the winter season because it allows for me to share the spirit of the holidays with families and residents who do think they have a very joyful holiday. When I volunteered during the month of December, I helped decorate the sanctuary with holiday decorations and then served hot meals. Many of the residents asked for second meals, and with our preparation of an abundance of meals, we served more than one hot meal to each resident. After the experience, I felt proud and relieved to know that I contributed to the holiday celebration for several families. 

The Salvation Army has taught me the need to address the issue of poverty in Ithaca. Not only that, but the organization has provided me with the space to interact and engage with other populations outside of the college campus, which allowed me to grow as an individual learning to venture in the real world. Fortunately, the organization has brought to my attention its goal in becoming a source of strength to various residents of the community. 

I also learned the importance of religion during my time with the organization, as the community members would engage in a short prayer and worship before being served their meals. Observing and participating in the prayer and worship circle, I was able to reflect on my own religious views. 

Faith, I saw, is an important aspect of many lives. Faith provides people, including myself, with a sense of hope during the low points of life. With the Salvation Army's prayers and worship circles prior to serving meals, I was able to sense the importance of faith for everyone in the room, no matter what his/her religious views were. 

I hope to work closer with the Salvation Army in the future; for, the organization teaches me the importance of engaging with community members and helping serve hot meals to those in need of a little extra resources. Through the experience, I have grown to understand another part of the Ithaca and Tompkins County community outside of the college atmosphere.

Group picture after a day's work of giving back

"The more generous we are, the more joyous we become. The more cooperative we are, the more valuable we become. The more enthusiastic we are, the more productive we become. The more serving we are, the more prosperous we become" ~ William Arthur Ward

How do you show how YOU care?

Photo credit: https://scontent-b-lga.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpf1/t31.0-8/10662153_914810398590667_7361399180433284593_o.jpg

Your Legacy Continues, Dr. King

Martin Luther King, Jr. was a civil rights activist fighting for the equality and justice for all people. His famous speech, "I Have A Dream," has been widely read and his message continues to unite us all for racial and social justice. 

On Martin Luther King Day, I had the privilege to celebrate Dr. King's message through various presentations and events conglomerated under the theme, "Whose Dream Is It Anyway?" As I attended the sessions, I learned that although Dr. King rose to prominence during the height of the Civil Rights Movement, his message and mission have yet to progress towards success by the people of the United States of America. 

His message, to combat discrimination against race, ethnicity, origin, religion, sexuality, gender, and exclusion of special persons, continues to live in the back of our minds instead of thriving in the forefront of our minds. 

The various educational sessions and presentations throughout the day spoke to Dr. King's legacy and allowed for the audience to think about inclusivity. I was privileged to attend some of these sessions and learn about ways to progress Dr. King's legacy of equality and racial justice. Before we can implement change, it is important to change the way in which we think, specifically when it comes to making pre-judgements among others and holding prejudice against those who are different. One of the biggest mistakes we make that drive us further away from achieving inclusivity and equality is our inability to be confident when speaking the truth and challenging the issues we face.

For example, Ash Beckham, a TedTalk speaker and keynote presenter of the night, discussed the importance of having the ability to speak the truth and be self-confident. Beckham's presentation was well-worth attending because it presented ways in which we, as citizens, can help inspire others to work towards equality, acceptance, and inclusion. She taught us the importance of knowing one's own identity and encouraged the audience to not be afraid to speak up for what is right. Beckham focused on gender roles, identity, and how society teaches us to conform to the truth from a very young age. I learned that it is important to understand yourself and your actions because it is a step towards understanding others and the world around you. Not until Beckham's lecture did I understand that by being silent, you are taking your stance on an issue and speaking out. Actions, as well as words, affect the way others think about you and see you. 

MLK Day never fails to teach me the most important lesson for turning Dr. King's dreams into a reality; for, it is important to learn and understand the history of racial injustice and exclusivity of certain populations to make sure that history does not repeat. 

Photo credit: My own; presenter Ash Beckham

The Secret Santa

I hope everyone had a nice Thanksgiving and is looking to kick-off the holiday season! With winter approaching and the holidays nearing, there is no doubt that people will shop and travel to various places around the country. However, there is a lot more to the holidays than just shopping and traveling. 

For me, the holiday season is my favorite time of year. Not only do I get to relax with my family and friends and enjoy the seasonal traditions, including tree lighting ceremonies and ice skating, but I also get to spend time giving back to those in need of holiday cheer. 

There are countless ways to volunteer and help others during the holiday season. Whether you want to spend one hour of your day or three days of the week helping others to have a merry holiday, here are three easy ways to lend a helping hand in your community.

1) Food banks - Volunteering at food banks or community kitchens is one of the most fun and rewarding experiences you can have during the holidays. Many soup kitchens have volunteers prepare and serve warm meals to those in the community who are in need. I have learned that volunteering at food banks and soup kitchens allows you to learn about the needs of a community and how the community is working to combat those needs.

2) Toy drives - If you enjoy shopping, buy toys that you are able to donate to a community toy drive. For instance, toy drives such as Toys for Tots, provide toys for less-fortunate children in the community. The program collects unused and unwrapped toys to bring the holiday spirit to children. I truly enjoy donating to toy drives because I believe that each child should be able to receive a gift during the holiday season. I hope that more people can donate to toy drives and help make the holidays enjoyable and memorable for every child in need. 

3) Clothes donations - Winter can also serve as a time when people clean out their closets in preparation for Spring. If you are thinking about cleaning out your closet and throwing away old clothes, why not take those clothes and donate them to a local charity or thrift shop? Often, local schools and community organizations will host clothing drives that allow people to donate gently used clothes ranging from shoes to coats to accessories. There are also thrift stores located within communities that re-sell donated and used clothes. Every article of clothing - whether you believe the item is useable or not - should be donated because the charities eventually sort the donations and still receive money for clothing they recycle. My incredible opportunity with The Rescue Mission last fall allowed me to learn about the donation process and how organizations handle donated items that are unable to be sold or used. 

Amidst shopping for loved ones and traveling to visit family, make a difference this holiday season and spread love, warmth, and the gift of giving to those in need. 

Photo credit: https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_fbGoltD6oPj_uxBHZjRXQ1rD_HEAXpq2k1Xu6mq4wp86uxvuIZuFBBRseKVDPU-vwo_70xXCnmUPc9-4KWgVbebSaF2IL5blEDV3DSkk-pM8EGRFIMUWRf_L8586QiKOrQ1J0hVemcDF/s1600/holiday+giving1.bmp

"Lean on Me"

The beginning of summer marks a time where we can be stress-free and have fun! But summer is also the time to get outdoors and engage in new experiences, including being more involved in your community. Summer is perfect for meeting new people, whether they will become acquaintances, friends, or family. Here's a song that relates to helping others and building strong relationships with those you meet --- check out the song lyrics to Bill Withers' "Lean on Me" and adventure out to meet new people!

"Lean on Me"

Sometimes in our lives

We all have pain, we all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow

Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on

Please, swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won't let show

You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Lean on me when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend, I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need somebody to lean on

You just call on me, brother, when you need a hand
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you'll understand
We all need somebody to lean on

If there is a load
You have to bear that you can't carry
I'm right up the road, I'll share your load
If you just call me

Call me (If you need a friend)
Call me (Call me uh-huh)
Call me (When you need a friend)
Call me (If you ever need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (If you need a friend)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me (Call me)
Call me

Lyrics credit: http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/billwithers/leanonme.html

Imagine A World Where "Everyone Cared"

Anyone can do a little something to give back to the community, even through acts of compassion towards others. In society, we fail to recognize the injustices of the world; but, mainstream media works to bring these issues to light. Often, media such as movies, magazines, and advertisements show issues relating to humanitarian injustice and making society aware of these issues. For instance, Nickelback, a rather well-known Canadian rock band, reminds us of the meaning of being compassionate and working to build a more peaceful world by shedding light on humanitarian issues many fail to acknowledge. In their song "If Everyone Cared," the band makes listeners aware of the fact that the world could be heading towards a state of peace if everyone cared about each other and helped each other in instances of social injustice. Check out the music video!

"When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace" 

~ Jimi Hendrix

**Check here for the song lyrics!