a year of impact

When looking at an organization like Generation SERVE, it’s a hard word to really define. Sure, we can take metrics of hours of volunteering, number of organizations helped, and number of kids participating, but how do we really show our impact on our volunteers or community?

I was lucky enough to be at our first Service Learning Extension Project Showcase, and I will tell you — the impact of this organization is huge. On December 2nd, I watched 8-11 year old kids from all 3 Service Learning Programs (focused on the environment, poverty and animals) present their extension projects, talking about how they were inspired and what they did. Among the incredible projects that were presented I saw:
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1. Over 60 pumpkins and other supplies given to the Austin Zoo and Austin Wildlife Rescue to feed animals.
2. A brother/sister team raise over $1,400 in money and supplies for Partnerships for Children, filling so many needs items on the organization’s wish list.
3. A 5th grade boy go door-to-door in his neighborhood and raise over $600 for Hurricane Harvey relief, reminding his neighbors that there were still people in need, and that just because the news has moved on, they can’t be forgotten.
4. A girl who started an organization called “DogStart”, along with an Etsy shop, after seeing that bigger dogs have a harder time getting adopted. She put together kits with homemade dog toys, treats and bandanas that would accompany these dogs home and make them more adoptable, while also raising money for their care.
5. A 4th grade girl who sewed pouches to keep baby animals warm at Austin Wildlife Rescue, and who showed a baby squirrel nestled in one of her pouches.

​This was the tip of the iceberg — there was the kid who cleaned 13 pounds of garbage off of his baseball field, the girl who studied water pollution with her class, the bake sales and lemonade stands for Community First! Village and Partnerships for Children and the girl who made car kits with water, food, clean socks and toiletries for people asking for help on the street.

These kids all thought about how they could help their community, created a project, executed it and made a major impact on their world. And, while seeing all of these amazing accomplishments, I was once again reminded why my husband, Erick, and I have chosen to support Generation SERVE. There is no other organization that impacts so many individuals and organizations, both today and in the future. Through real, hands-on experiences, Generation Serve creates community minded people who will give back both today and in years to come.

I have been honored to serve this year as the Board Chair of what started the year as Little Helping Hands and is ending the year as Generation SERVE. We are poised for growth, and we have dreams of having the sponsorship to be able to offer more incredible programming to keep kids engaged and keep building awareness while supporting the needs of our nonprofit community. I am grateful for our incredible staff, and our fabulous Board, as well as our supportive community. We are just getting started, and we invite you to join us as we impact people, animals and our environment here in Austin and beyond.