My Beginning

I realized today that instead of jotting lots of my ideas for the improvement of Danville, VA in a "To Do" notebook for myself that I would make them accessible to the entire world -- hoping that someone like myself would join the initiative.  I've never been a blogger, nor have followed any blogs, but will make an honest attempt to do so.

So to begin, I should explain the title of my blog.  I have been told time and time again that I am the walking example of what Danville (as a whole) is trying to accomplish -- a poster child, if you will.  I was born and raised in Danville, VA to a low-income (now middle-income) family, am the product of the Danville Public School system, and would love nothing more than to see my beloved hometown thrive again.  After being the guinea pig for Galileo Magnet High School, and successfully being among the first class to complete the International Baccalaureate program there, I went on to attend James Madison University where I studied Biotechnology.  I returned to Danville after my graduation in May 2010 to take on a research position at the ISRR lab at the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research in September 2010.  I should mention that I am also the poster child for the success of the Graduate of Distinction honor I was awarded upon graduation of Galileo.  As part of the Graduate of Distinction scholarship, I also received a summer internship in the ISRR lab at IALR (where I am now employed).

I am not only a success in my education and career, but have been a very active member of the Danville community, even when away at college.  The President/CEO of United Way for Danville-Pittsylvania county, Patrick Jinks, commonly refers to me as a "volunteer extraordinaire ".  From high school onward, I have committed countless hours to the non-profit organizations of Danville and Pittsylvania county (plenty more than required for the IB program I participated in during high school).  Some of those activities include (but are definitely not limited to): U5 soccer coach for SSC, many events for the Danville Humane Society, Habitat for Humanity, Parks and Recreation, the Little Theatre of Danville, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and of course, United Way.  I also was recently elected as the youngest board member for the Danville Historical Society. Oh! and not to mention the huge annual fundraiser I put together for the Muscular Dystrophy Association -- I'm sure you are all familiar with the well-known LEGO Build-off held at IALR every summer.   Through the discourse of this blog, I'm sure I will elaborate further on each of these experiences and how they contributed to my life and success. 

At any rate, I am certain that Danville is responsible for my success.  Danville has fallen on hard times, and I feel partially responsible for fostering it back to health.  I am not up to date on every little quarrel in politics, nor do I wish to be, so when leaving comments keep that in mind.  I am not a politician -- ordinarily I talk little and do much.  This is my first attempt at talking to the rest of the world without actually having done anything about it yet.  I have recently realized I cannot run as a one-man team and need YOUR help.  I firmly believe that every person in the world has a valuable contribution to make -- whether it be time, skills, money, or your personal/professional network of people.  So my challenge to you: join me in the uphill battle to revitalize Danville!

Giving Is Receiving

I was talking to someone new the other day, and they began to inquire about my community sevice commitment.  I rattled off a whole host of non-profit organizations I dedicate my time and efforts to, and he mentioned that his construction company helps Habitat for Humanity.  When he said this, it made me think about WHY I'm so committed and involved to all the organizations I help.  Though it is wonderful that he is helping a great cause in his community, I think he may be missing out on what the giving is all about -- the people.  I think other people miss out on the experience of giving when they simply give resources like money or donate items to the cause.  Though they trust the organizations to which they are giving to appropriate the donations properly, they truly miss out on how their giving is affecting someone else.  I think people would be more dedicated to the cause if they actually rolled up their sleeves and jumped in the middle.  Sure, we all can make excuses about how we're too busy, but we all have other commitments.  I make it a conscious effort to give my time and efforts at every available opportunity.  What may seem small and trivial to you may mean the world to someone else.

My life changing experience that resulted from jumping in the middle happened in the middle of summer at the 4H center at Smith Mountain Lake.  Now, I had been coordinating a fundraiser for the Muscular Dystrophy Assocation for a couple years (Shameless Plug: http://sites.google.com/site/legobuildoff/), and always knew the money was going to a good cause, but it wasn't until I experienced the MDA Summer Camp that I KNEW what it meant to those kids.  For an entire week out of the year, children who have the many types of MD across the state of Virginia come to the 4H camp at Smith Mountain Lake.  It may not seem like much, but this camp means the WORLD to those kids.  It is easily the best week of their year.  We spend all day every day playing games, swimming, taking boat rides, and going on adventures.  For one week of the year, these kids feel -- for the lack of a better word -- normal.  In their every day life, they're always singled out as the kid in the wheelchair - the cripple.  But what I think people completely miss is that, to them, the wheelchair is simply an extension of their body.  Sure, it may limit them some, but they just want to be regular kids, playing and having a good time!  Though the diseases vary greatly in lifespan, some of these children will never live to see their 25th birthday.  So when you can bring them complete bliss for an entire week, it is pretty significant in terms of their lifespan. 

I know we are all busy, but please consider setting aside some time to really get to know the people you are helping.  I can honestly say that in my helping others, they have helped me broaden my perspective and see the world in a clearer light.  I have a personal habit of running through life so fast that sometimes I miss out on what makes the human life so special.  It is when I stop to help others that I slow down enough to really take in the world, and learn to appreciate the wonderful things I am priveledged to.