How is it possible that I only have one more semester in college left? The Fall semester of my senior year was full of memories that I will never forget. I learned more about myself, my major, and life itself. One of my favorite accomplishments this semester was working in an immersive learning project for a local organization. Keep reading to find out what it was!
This semester, I took 13 credit hours, which doesn't sound like a lot, but when you're taking 400 level courses- it's a lot. In fact, I struggled more this semester than I have any other semester. I enrolled in an online marketing course, my capstone course, and three fashion courses.
Although my capstone class required a lot of effort and stress, it was one of my favorite experiences at Ball State. I completed many projects in the class, but the biggest one was a semester-long immersive project. I partnered with four other students to plan, execute, and document a service project for a local non-profit organization. We chose to work with Little Red Door of Muncie, which provides various cancer services to local clients. Little Red Door provides vitamins, scarves, wigs, and other resources that aren't covered by insurance. The organization also offers mammograms to women in Delaware County to assist in early cancer detection.
This was something close to my heart because I've been working with Sigma Chi and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation to fundraise money all year. My group's project idea changed several times, but we eventually settled on hosting a percent night at the local Culver's to fundraise money for Little Red Door's new program called "Caring for the Caregivers."
Although my capstone class required a lot of effort and stress, it was one of my favorite experiences at Ball State. I completed many projects in the class, but the biggest one was a semester-long immersive project. I partnered with four other students to plan, execute, and document a service project for a local non-profit organization. We chose to work with Little Red Door of Muncie, which provides various cancer services to local clients. Little Red Door provides vitamins, scarves, wigs, and other resources that aren't covered by insurance. The organization also offers mammograms to women in Delaware County to assist in early cancer detection.
This was something close to my heart because I've been working with Sigma Chi and the Huntsman Cancer Foundation to fundraise money all year. My group's project idea changed several times, but we eventually settled on hosting a percent night at the local Culver's to fundraise money for Little Red Door's new program called "Caring for the Caregivers."
The "Caring for the Caregivers" program focuses on providing support not only to cancer patients, but their family and friends who take care of them. The program helps families cover unexpected costs such as gas money for driving to doctor appointments, food for when the caregiver forgets to cook, and so much more. It's important that these people aren't forgotten about because they do so much to help cancer patients in their battle.
During the event, my group and I worked as Culver's food runners. We carried each order to the customers' tables so that we could talk to them about what Little Red Door does for the community. It was such a rewarding experience to know that I was spreading awareness about all of the great services Little Red Door provides. Our event at Culver's raised $100 for Little Red Door, which doesn't sound like a lot, but being able to promote the agency was the ultimate reward.
During the event, my group and I worked as Culver's food runners. We carried each order to the customers' tables so that we could talk to them about what Little Red Door does for the community. It was such a rewarding experience to know that I was spreading awareness about all of the great services Little Red Door provides. Our event at Culver's raised $100 for Little Red Door, which doesn't sound like a lot, but being able to promote the agency was the ultimate reward.
Overall, my service experience with Little Red Door was amazing. We often associate volunteering with being "boring" and "mandatory" but those two adjectives are the opposite of how I would describe this project. I learned a lot about myself, my group members, the agency, and the Muncie community. I'm so thankful that Ball State University encourages its students to reach out to the surrounding town. I look forward to returning to school next week and continuing my service work in the community.