There are many ways one can spend a Saturday in Portland. Rarely does it involve making a substantial change in the community. However, when such an opportunity presents itself, it is best to take the moment and run with it. This Saturday, out of my many Saturdays in Portland, was one of those days.
PSOBA requires volunteer service as part of its P4 program and I think there’s no better way to make a name for the University of Portland in the community as well as getting students involved in local service projects. This Saturday we were venturing to St. Johns to replant the old ‘Ivy Island’ which was once an eyesore to the local community.
Impactful. If I was to take anything from this Saturday’s service project it would have been the impact which was so apparent in the people who lived in St. Johns. As we were digging holes for young bushes and flowers, honks and waves abounded from passersby – people shouted thank-yous from car windows and old grandmas complimented us as they cruised by in a 1968 Cadillac Deville. We took everything in stride and became smug that our project was garnering so much affection.
I became an expert at digging perfectly round holes and refined my resume for any mafia openings that may become available (shallow grave digging connoisseur right here folks). Local business owners offered us coffee and bagels and I was touched at the enthusiasm we seemed to be receiving.
It didn’t end at Ivy Island (which needs a definite renaming) but continued well into the local business street. We were pulling weeds and touching up tree wells outside Anna Bananas (excellent coffee & atmosphere – highly recommend) where the patrons were complimenting us on our work and a dog affectionately kissed our faces in gratitude. The appreciation was everywhere and many people felt compelled to thank the volunteers.
Volunteering is something that is good for the soul. Giving part of your day that vastly improves another person (or persons, in our case) is something that we all could practice a little more often even if it means reexamining the use of your Saturdays.