Vivian Choe
I had the great opportunity to volunteer at Hole in the Wall Gang Camp located in Ashford, Connecticut this past spring during the first week of April. The experience I had was incredible, one where I could help kids who had illnesses that had no cure and for which there was no hope. As I got to know these kids, who were from the ages of 8 to 18, it made me realize how I took each day for granted. As I had the opportunity to volunteer in Ashford, I not only realized how it was in the middle of nowhere, but how much more there was to life than the life that I knew.

As I took the time to rake leaves, rebuild trails, and do the dishes I got to see what potential these kids had and how much fun they had at this camp no matter how sick they had gotten. This experience is something that cannot be compared to any other volunteer job that I have ever completed. I had to miss a week’s worth of school to come and volunteer, but that did not matter to me, for volunteering is a passion. Just like it says in the bible in the book of Matthew, “Ask and it will be given.” All the staff was great and so were the people I got to meet while volunteering. I met people from all over the country who came out during their spring break in order to volunteer. It was quite an interesting and a wonderful experience. There were activities and games. I got to enjoy getting to know each and every individual.

Through this experience, I got a good example of the meaning of volunteering. As each summer comes and goes the one thing that I want to keep doing as a hobby is volunteer every chance I get. This camp is one of the many places that I want to continue volunteering. Since my trip to Ashford I have taken every opportunity to volunteer. Yes, I had an extensive record of volunteering before I came to this camp, but now that I know what it really takes to volunteer, I have jumped at every opportunity I have had this year and I am hoping to one day go back to Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.

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