Decatur City Church

Since my freshman year of high school, I have been volunteering at my church. I work on the production team, and it is our job to pass along a message of peace and care to the elementary schoolers who pass through our halls. We work diligently every week to make church a memorable, important, and exciting experience even for the kids of those attending services. I work on the tech team; our job is primarily to operate the lights, audio, and computer graphics for the service. From the back, we control the vast majority of moving elements that take place during the service. 

This volunteer job is more than just work; it is a family. The people I have connected with here have allowed me a safe space to find myself and what matters to me. No matter what I am going through, I feel full comfort in knowing that the people in that room are people I can confide in. I take in even more comfort because I know they know I would do the same. What happens in those walls is so deep and meaningful. We are making genuine, lasting contributions to these kids' lives, even if it isn't noticeable right away. I will always remember the kids I have worked with, and I will always thank my fellow volunteers for their impact on my life.

I have completed other community service projects during my time of high school. Drives with Beta Club, going to food pantries with my Girl Scout troop, and working continuously with Step Up to try and make a lasting difference in our community. But none of them have been as meaningful as volunteering at church has been. Nonetheless, I am so grateful for all of those opportunities. I feel as though they have helped me achieve a more open mind, and understand the idea of how much difference a small change can make.