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| Jonathan, Collin, Tanya, and Moya Puddie |
I became aware of Volunteer Broward while researching “in-service hours” for high schools students. You see the Puddie family comprises of a 13 year old, 9 year old and 5 year old and the oldest will be off to high school this year. Wishing to have Moya, my daughter commence her high school career with a firm understanding of graduation requirements, as well as to begin to build a resume that would increase her chances of gaining a scholarship upon graduation, we signed up and attended a Volunteer Broward orientation. What we learned was that Volunteer Broward was a way to get the whole family involved, while learning how to give back to others. At first the focus was on my daughter but then I realized that so many children have no concept of responsibility to their community as well as others and this is something that I did not want to be lost on my two boys Collin and Jonathan the youngest. So the whole family decided to get involved.
The first event through Volunteer Broward had us working together as a family (yes! Jonathan, 5 was our hydration engineer) building a trail and removing exotic plants at Snyder Park as a part of a community event. In the proceeding weeks we sorted shoes for children as a part of a “back-to-school” effort, made peanut butter and jelly sandwiches as a part of a cooperate feeding effort on behalf of the “Kids Care Club” and served those in need at a shelter which was a humbling experience for both myself and my children.
I must admit, at first, the tasks seemed daunting and the events unnerving. I had concerns about how I would be able to engage the boys and keep them excited and interested. Let’s face it, its summer and children no matter their intentions want to play and relax and so do I. However, we all agreed that accomplishing these tasks together was bigger than our need to lie in bed or spend more wasted hour’s in–front of the television. Moya, my daughter, has expressed to me that this experience has taught her that one person can make a difference; also, that so much is happening in the lives of others around her and it makes her grateful for her family. Surprisingly, Collin and Jonathan have found this experience fun, and not at all tiresome. With the help of awesome project leaders like Cherona Levy, Daria Decastro, and Sander Schrantz, we look forward to each event knowing that no matter how big or how small there will be a task for us to do.
Being a part of Volunteer Broward has been just an amazing and rewarding experience for my family. As we work side by side serving others, it has brought us closer together in a way that is really hard to express. They have gotten a head start on what it feels like to give back I have observed a change in how they view the world. It’s getting harder and harder to get accepted into a college or university, the criteria goes beyond grades and scores. Therefore, starting your kids early and showing them what it means to be well rounded is a just an extra bonus on the ‘parent list’. What’s next on the ‘Puddie List’ you may ask? Well, together Volunteer Broward and the Puddie’s will join forces to continue to serve those in need and we are ready for the task.
Volunteering shows people that there are always things you can do that can help the environment and others. Joining this fantastic program makes you feel as if you have a purpose, and seeing the smiles on peoples face when you help them is priceless. I don’t think there will be an end to my family and Volunteer Broward, we are hooked and there is no way we can look back now. We have become an addition to an organization that will impact our world in the near future. My advise to other families thinking of getting themselves involved is ‘just get started’, go to your first event, stretch your hand out and Volunteer Broward will take you and take it from there. Once you see how your small deed affects the lives of those you are helping trust me, you’ll be hooked just like the Puddie’s. As William James once said “Act as if everything you do matters”.
By: The Puddie Family
