Werther's Original

Monday, June 14th 2010

Tonight was the best experience volunteering I've ever had! I went to the Union Gospel Mission to serve dinner at 7. We were short-handed, so there was lots to be done! Slice cakes, assemble the dessert trays, slice and toast garlic bread, wrap forks in napkins, organize the milk cartons and get ready to serve.

I get such a rush when we're done setting up and about to lift the sliding door. My new friend Sarah, who volunteers their very often, likes to take charge and she knows what she's doing (I thanked her a few times for guiding me throughout the night and ordering me around- seriously). She had her hand on the curtain switch and asked us (the only 2 others there), "Are we ready?!"

And then the curtain is lifted and there are about 150 people eagerly waiting in line for a delicious, hot dinner. We start dishing up the trays with as much speed, love and care as possible.

"Would you like biscuits and gravy? Would you like some garlic bread?" I asked over 150 times. The people were in such a good mood last night, they were asking me how I was doing and most of them were "doing good" too.

One fellow walked up to the counter when all were almost done. He approached slowly with a smile. I wasn't sure what he wanted and I had my tongs ready to hand him some bread. He didn't say a word, but held out his hand like he had a surprise to drop into my hand (my favorite game as a child by the way). I felt slightly nervous for what he was about to give me, but I held out my open hands. Are you ready for this? 2 Werther's Original coffee flavored candies fell into my hand! I felt so delighted inside, I don't know how to describe it. He said, "I think they could use a little more cream and sugar." I smiled a smile bigger than my face could hold and thanked him with all of my heart.

Then we packed up french toast with syrup for those who wanted to take something with them and began cleaning. It was then 9:30 and the room still needed mopping. So, with a hand full of slivers from the mop handle, I was finished and ready to go home at nearly 10pm.

Usually I'm falling asleep on the sofa by 9:30, but tonight I had so much energy I could have stayed up for hours! I'm looking forward to going back to the UGM soon :)

Peace :)