Giving is Receiving by Leanna

Giving is Receiving by Leanna - August 2021 Scholarship Essay

Growing up in the church, there were numerous times that I’ve heard the saying, “giving is receiving”. I knew that it was a statement that held power, however I did not understand how much power it held until my senior year of high school. Over the course of seven months, I was given the opportunity to volunteer in my community and it was because of New Albany High School’s Senior Seminar course. For my Senior Seminar project, I did an internship with a non-profit organization called “A Kid Again.” The organization's mission is to provide year-round trips full of cherished memories for families whose child has a chronic illness. A huge portion of my internship was to volunteer at what A Kid Again refers to as “adventures”, which are events held each month for families enrolled with the organization. My most unforgettable experiences with A Kid Again are those of the “adventures”, because we were able to make fun-filled, joyous memories with the children and their families.
鼓舞人心的“冒险”包括一个节日Christmas Holiday party, an enchanting Miracles and Magic Show, an exhilarating Columbus Blue Jackets game and many more. Prior to each event, I assisted with planning, shopping, and set-up, where I got to learn more about the organization and made great friends with other volunteers. Additionally, I met new families and learned about their backgrounds. My favorite event by far was the Christmas Holiday party. During the party, another volunteer- who I discovered was a cancer survivor- and I worked together at the selfie booth. We were in charge of taking photos of the families wearing silly props and clothing and handing out small gift bags. It was amazing to see how many families with the organization were blessed with gifts that year and it warmed my heart to see how happy it made all the children. I was truly grateful to have been a part of the Holiday Party. It placed joy in my heart to see the smiles on the children’s faces and the happiness that they expressed despite all that they have gone through.
The experience I had with A Kid Again was truly impactful on my life for the better. While I gave my time, my love, and shared my laughter and smiles with every unique family, I gained friendships. I gained an appreciation for serving in my community and a sense of purpose. I learned that acts of kindness go a long way and sharing experiences of ups and downs somehow equipped me with strength. Because of this opportunity with A Kid Again, I was given a different outlook on life and it has opened my eyes on how to make the best out of the unexpected.