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Dateline: 4/15/2009

Volunteer Experience Proves Transformative

Mission: Possible 2009

Student volunteers helped paint this house in Knoxville, Tenn., during their spring break from classes.
By Megan Hervey
Class of 2011

My spring break bag was not filled with swimsuits or beach towels this year. I didn’t bring my laptop or iPod, and my “shower-kit” was almost non-existent: no makeup, hairspray or blow-dryer. I did not spend the break basking on a beach soaking up the sun. This spring break wasn’t even about me or looking my best. It was about doing my best for others who need help.

Unlike most college students who couldn’t wait to get to the beach with their towels and sunscreen, I couldn’t wait to get down and dirty with some good old-fashioned service work. I traveled to Knoxville, Tenn. with 16 other Gonzaga students and staff to participate in Mission: Possible 2009.

In Knoxville, we worked with Operation Backyard, which helps renovate the houses of families in need. Also, we volunteered at the Boys and Girls Club of Knoxville where we built real relationships with the local children instead of sand castles with our friends.

I connected with the people we served, and with our community of volunteers. Going to M:P for the first time this year made me almost giddy with excitement as I dreamed of connecting with strangers who needed help. I looked forward to serving them with all the hope I could offer.

I was happily surprised by the society my group formed. For the entire spring break, I was never alone. Each one of us truly embraced the concept of collaboration as we conquered the service work for this community. We learned to live together and help each other while we also helped the community. I returned to Gonzaga with 16 new best friends and a week full of memories I will never forget.

At bedtime, we took to the floor of a local church, which proved to be remarkably comfortable with the tumbling mat we slept on.
Others who returned were forever changed.

Katie Sieck, a senior, had a life-changing experience during our week together. Halfway through the week, Katie told our group that M: P had inspired her to enter the volunteer service organization AmeriCorps after graduating in May. AmeriCorps offers adults of all ages and backgrounds 75,000 volunteer opportunities each year to address critical needs in communities nationwide. Mission: Possible transformed Katie before our very eyes to continue serving others and we were inspired.

Mission: Possible helped awaken in me what life’s priorities should be.

For Katie, myself and other Gonzaga students, the experience opened our eyes to see that by serving others we will set ourselves free.



Mission Possible 2009 Photo Gallery

April @Gonzaga Newsletter