Howdy Ya’ll! Trying to recount our week in Memphis is a
daunting task. While we were
volunteering at Le Bonheur’s Children’s Hospital we were lucky enough to stay
at the Idlewild Church, which welcomed us with open arms and truly showed us the
meaning of southern hospitality! The
emotions, experiences, and friendships made are all but impossible to
communicate to those outside of the 12 of us.
We truly started out as strangers with a mission to spread a little love
in the world, and left as a family who accomplished their goal of sharing their
love.
We started our volunteer experience at Le Bonheur’s Children’s
Hospital bright and early Monday Morning.
We were greeted by the ever-so-sweet and enthusiastic, volunteer
coordinator Timorie. Timorie explained
to us Le Bonheur’s mission and detailed exactly what we would be doing in the
week to come. Le Bonheur’s volunteer services
works with the hospital’s Child Life department, focusing on the non-medical
needs of the children and their parents.
We learned that we would be working hands on with the children in many
different ways such as operating a teen room, where we got to show off our
video game skills (or lack of skills), Arts & Crafts, delivering coffee and
hot chocolate to parents unable to leave their children’s sides, or simply
being a bedside buddy to a child in need of a friend.
While we had such an amazing volunteer experience, we also
had a great time during our off time. Our second
night in Memphis, we had the opportunity to cheer on Rutgers’ women’s
basketball team who just so happened to be playing at the University of
Memphis. Sadly we lost by a point, but
getting to see a little bit of our beloved RU in Memphis was a blast!
The next night we went out to explore the city! Memphis, known for BBQ, Blues, and Rock &
Roll, is home to the famous Beale Street.
Cluttered with flashing lights, mouth-watering BBQ-induced aromas, and
Elvis memorabilia, Beale Street is a Tennessee must-visit. After numerous recommendations, we all got
our first taste of true southern BBQ and Central BBQ, and trust me, it lives up
to its expectations!
Thursday night greeted us with another unique
experience. Every Thursday, Idlewild
Church provides a hot meal to the homeless or hungry of Memphis. With a devastating 40%+ unemployment rate in
Memphis, it was a humbling experience.
We had the opportunity to serve, eat with, and chat with many of the men
and woman who came.
After heartfelt good-byes at the hospital, many gifts given
to our little friends met, and a few tears, we had one last night in
Memphis. Timorie’s father Gordon, or “Gordo”
and mother invited us to a dinner at their house. Having been the first group of volunteers
invited into Timorie’s family home, we were all in awe of how much we were
truly appreciated and how much of a difference we made.
No matter how much fun we had outside of volunteering, the
most important experience was our volunteer experience at the hospital. Throughout the week we were able to form
relationships with each other, both parents and patients, and Timorie and her
family. Above all, the relationships
made with the little ones have the most lasting impression.
Without a doubt, if there was something we all learned it was...
(Wall art from Le Bonheur)
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