A Day to Remember

We can all agree that 9/11/2001 was a day that changed the world's history. Inevitably, for those of us who lived through that day, it would always be in our memory. On the 11^th of September, 2012, our team was honored to participate in Serve Rhode Island's 9/11 National Day of Service. On that day our team was able to collaborate with two other AmeriCorps teams serving in RI while doing something great for the most over-looked members of our communities: our teachers. We worked on improving the teacher's lounge at Carl G. Lauro Elementary School; we painted the walls and ceiling.

The end result was just marvelous! Words can't describe how drastically the room changed; it was a completely different place than when we first walked in. It couldn't have been any less, after eight laborious hours and with the help of more than 14 people. But here, the most important aspect wasn't the work and effort that was donated; in fact, it wasn't even the end result. The valuable lesson of this day comes through the process and not the product. What happened during our work there was magical! It was a site to see, to live, and relive. This day was full of enthusiasm and the atmosphere was full of serenity, happiness, and collaboration. There was music playing in English and Spanish and people were singing their lungs out. It was just fun to work in an environment in which people were enjoying what they were doing and the company they had. Not only that, everyone was considering each others' thoughts. For example, everyone had the chance to request a song they wished to hear. Who said work couldn't be simultaneously fun and efficient?

By: Dianny