Relay for Life

I know I'm about 2 weeks late blogging about this but better now than never! I attended Relay for life on April 15th at the panther trail. I really enjoyed myself. For those who don't know what Relay for Life is..it's basically a program promoting cancer awareness. The logo for the night was "to walk to save a another life". There were many activities that night. There was food, games, raffles, and plenty of walking! I participated in Relay for life with the fraternity Alpha Phi Omega. We took turn walking around the trail, played games, and listened to survivor stories. Even though I was pretty sleepy by the time I left, I'm glad that I participated in it.Definetly a night that I will never forget!
-Michelle Thomas

Shiloh Christian Children's Ranch- Kayla Spencer

In February, 2011, I had the opportunity to spend a weekend in Missouri at Shiloh Children's Ranch. This is a home for children who are troubled or have been abused or neglected. This ranch is made up of about five families who take these children in and provide spiritual, emotional, educational, social, and physical care. The children are in homes that contain a father, mother, and about ten to twelve other children. Most of these children are there through the foster care system and stay for at least one year. Some even stay and make Shiloh their permanent home. This was such a wonderful place to experience. The families were all so great and I was able to learn a lot through this experience.

I went to Shiloh with my church, Christian Campus House, here at Eastern. We spent our days there chopping fire wood for the homes, which is their source of heat, and then spent our evening spending time with the families. The work was hard... Until that weekend, I did not know my body could be sore in so many places. But, the work was also fun. I had never used a maul to cut wood before, so this was a new and exciting experience. Our group tries to chop a years worth of firewood for the homes in just that one weekend, so it is constant work throughout the day. Those who are not helping with the chopping make a passing line to get the wood to the storage shed where they stack it. This work requires a whole group of people working together.

In the evenings, I spent some time with the families and was able to learn about some of the children there. These children come from such disadvantaged backgrounds filled with all forms of abuse and neglect. But, with the help of the families at Shiloh, they are working through their problems and learning what a true family is like. The parents were so open and taught me a lot. I gained a whole new understanding and appreciation for couples like the ones there that give up having a "typical" family, and instead, they take in ten children with troubled pasts to love. The families there are so special and giving, and they are helping so many children.

Shiloh Christian Children's Ranch is such a wonderful place. They do so much for the children there by providing them with emotional support, a healthy living environment, and the love and support that comes with being in a family. I loved my experience there and hope to be able to go back in the future.

Relay for Life (Lauren Olson)

On April 15 I volunteered at Relay for life. Relay for life means a lot to me because my mother has had breast cancer and it has recorded two other times. my grandma had ovarian cancer as well. At relay for life I was able to walk around, list to other peoples story and met a ton of different people. Concepts that reflect what we have learned in class are how the families have to change the way they are used or wanted their life to go when someone in their family gets diagnosed with cancer. Something that I have gone through with my family is the consent worry when my mom has her scans, money issues, and when my mom went through treatment it was hard for her physically and emotional. I felt like volunteering at relay for life help me give back to my mom. I walked around to different tables to talk with all the different people. It’s really touching and emotional to see people and hear about their experiences that they themselves have gone or what they went through with their family. I feel like this kind of event has a positive effect on the community. It brings people together who have gone through either some who has cancer or a family. People can take this opportunity to reach out to others or just talk and relate with other people they come into contact with. I was surprised with the amount of money that was raised and the amount of people that showed up to walk. Think that it’s a college town that not many people will donate or walk but it's nice to see the community come out and support.

Shiloh Children's Ranch

I had never picked up a maul before. In fact, I always thought it was called a “hatchet” or an “ax.” At Shiloh Children’s Ranch, they know how to chop wood, and they know the equipment and the proper techniques—very well! “Shiloh,” as the ranch is called, is located just outside Hannibal, Missouri, where five families live—five very large families. Each family may have up to twelve children living in their houses. Not all of the children in each house are their biological children. In fact, most of the children on the ranch are in the foster care program. Shiloh’s mission is to provide a safe, Christian home for children who have been raised in abusive or neglectful homes. The children may only stay at Shiloh for a short period, while some may choose to stay forever. These families all live on one farm, where they provide for many of their own needs by living off the land (crops and livestock). They heat the entire ranch with a great, big furnace that burns wood for fuel—this is where we came in.

            I went to Shiloh with my college church group. We left on a Thursday evening and stayed the long weekend until Sunday afternoon, when we headed back—sore, from a long two days of hard work. All day Friday, we chopped and stacked wood. All day Saturday, we chopped and stacked wood. In the evenings, we visited with the families and played with the kids. I chose to continue sitting at the dinner table with my host parents after dinner to find out more about the kids, their stories and the mission of the ranch.

            By talking with my host parents, I was able to understand the concepts we’ve been learning about in FCS 4840, especially when it comes to basic human needs. Some of these kids come from some rough home lives. For many of the children, Shiloh is a safe and stable place for them. Living with 10 more brothers and sisters in one house may sound crazy, but it’s not so crazy when it’s the only safe place you’ve ever known. It was obvious that love (emotional support) was the greatest missing factor for most of these kids.

The passion that my house parents had for their children (biological or not) was so intense. The contrast of what Shiloh provides for these kids (safe home, loving parents, adequate housing, nutrition and education) compared to what they were getting before arriving at Shiloh is so sharp, yet tender. It’s sharp, because it’s evident. It’s tender, because it must also be a sensitive transition.

            I loved working at Shiloh and observing how these families made such a difference in the lives of these kids. The power of this ministry moves throughout not just through one community, but through the communities that each child comes from and where they return to. It is my hope to continue working with Shiloh in the years to come, especially if it involves chopping wood! I learned a lot about what it means to work hard and to be persistent. Chopping wood is no easy task, but after persisting and watching our wood pile grow, I began to love the work! I’ve wondered if that’s how the host families see the vision of Shiloh. With hard work, persistence and a lot of loving, the success of their efforts becomes rewards. I feel like probably they do. It seems that every moment they invest in their children is successful, but that success didn’t come without a little hard work.

Douglas County Sam's Pantry - Amber Knight

Hello everyone! I chose to volunteer at my local Sam's Pantry in Tuscola, IL.  This was the first time I had ever worked at a Sam's and was pleasantly surprised to see what was provided for individuals in need.  The Sam's Pantry in Tuscola is located in the Methodist church and provides fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, cheese, butter, meats, eggs, many canned foods, baby food, diapers or pull-ups, and personal hygiene products,  I wanted to be able to help my own community and found Sam’s to be a wonderful place! I went with my grandmother on Friday, April 1, 2011 from 8:30 am to 11:00 am. I was eager and willing to do anything and everything, which was a pleasant surprise to the individuals already helping. I was able to meet everyone that worked that day and learn each job before we opened up for business.
I was given the job of helping the individuals in need with selecting the dry and canned foods to take home.  The individuals were able to have choices instead of getting something that may not have been eaten when taken home. I was able to make my own judgement of some items depending of the families needs. I felt so wonderful when my shift was done on April 1st that I decided to go back every Friday, since I had nothing better to do than sit around and watch TV!  Every time I went back, I met new people that volunteered once a month every month.  We had conversations about everything, especially about me moving to Florida on May 15th. I let them know that I would find a place in Jacksonville, FL that provided for individuals in need weather it be a place like Sam's Pantry or a soup kitchen. The feelings I got from this assignment cannot be matched with anything else!

It's a little blurry!

Still blurry!

After taking pictures, the ladies wanted me to get a picture of their Outstanding Service certificate!

Tiffanee Jelks

            I volunteered at a church in Decatur named City of Praise, the church is located in a low poverty stricken area. Many people that attend the church are members of the community that suffer from unemployment and inadequate housing. At the church I offered dance lessons and I tutored children in math and social science. I started volunteering in February, I tutored on Fridays and held dance practices on Saturday from ten o’clock for my junior dance team and eleven to one o’ clock for the teens. I think that my volunteer work served a great purpose in the community. Many of the children’s parents can not afford to put their children in dance schools and they can not find free tutors to dedicate their time. My service provides children with getting involved in their community, it is increases their social skills and it allows them to do something positive with their time. In the class 4840 I learned that time “is a precious commodity to families living in poverty.” The parents of the children feel that it is not enough hours in the day for them to earn extra money so they could provide more for their children. They work hard all day just to provide the basic needs for their children but sometimes it is hard to afford their wants. My service gave them a peace of mind that their children were able to have fun and do want they love without adding them any additional stress. I networked with the pastor and first lady of the church, I learned more about the other programs that they put on for the children. They told me their mission and what they hoped to see change through their influence in the community. I enjoy teaching and dancing so I have a great time doing both. Volunteering at the church gave me a chance to develop relationships with children and to be a mentor to them.

HOPE of East Central Illinois Binga Fundraiser (Erin Holcomb)

As a student , I volunteered at a Binga fundraiser to raise money for HOPE of East Central Illinois.  This fundraiser tapped into the resources of those in the area, by inviting them to play Binga and eat food, while raising money for HOPE.  One thing that stood out to me about the fundraiser was how much money the individuals organizing put into it.  In our class, we have often come back to the concept that time is one of the most valuable commodities for disadvantaged families.  I was struck with how fortunate the recipients of this fundraiser were because they would never have the means or the time to raise money for their own benefit.  Those who need aid the most, often are not able to help themselves. 

While I was at the fundraiser I helped prepare the prizes for the winners of the Binga games.  I networked with one of the women organizing the fundraiser and her husband, and I was able to look at how the Binga games were organized and how they recruited sponsors and donations for the Longaberger baskets they has as prizes.  Through talking with those organizing the fundraiser, I became much more aware of what HOPE of East Central Illinois does and how it can be helped.  I also learned that a Binga fundraiser, if done properly, can be quite successful!  They served Sloppy Joes and tacos-in-a-bag, and sold baked goods such as cookies and brownies that were donated by EIU FCS classes. 

The money raised (thousands of dollars!), will be used for fun summer activities for children who live in the shelter or currently live in abusive homes.  It might be used to put on summer camps, or even to take them to Six Flags.  I think that these benefits for the children outline another key concept learned in out FCS class.  Social aid providers need to think about the emotional wellness of families in need, not just the physical needs they have.  If given enough money, physical needs such as housing and food can be met fairly easily, but the emotional well-being of a child or parent can still be “disadvantaged.”  HOPE provides housing, outreach, prevention, and education to help individuals live non-violent lives.  This organization has a huge impact on the community, through their emergency shelter, transitional living options, and educational website and other programs. 

The greatest take home lesson that I learned from this experience was how much money one can raise with an efficient fundraiser.  The Binga fundraiser had very little clean-up, and if one is able to recruit lots of donations, it can be very successful!  The food supplies were all donated, the prizes were sponsored by businesses and individuals, there is a large demographic of people willing to pat to play Binga and support a good cause.  I enjoyed helping out at the fundraiser, and was very thrilled when I found out that the money would be going to services for children who have been abused.