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Many Hands Make Light Work
By Tobi Kibel Piatek | January 6, 2009
When I was in the fourth grade (in the Bronx), our class got a ‘special’ assignment. We were to make stuffed felt toys to give to ‘sick kids.’ I remember choosing the royal blue pony shape that had been pre-cut by adult hands, the colored yarn to work with, and needles for stitching. I remember being taught to create an edge stitch, and how to stuff and turn and finish. I embroidered eyes, added a mane and tail from yarn, and for the first time, allowed my creativity to take over. What I remember most of all, is that my pony turned out beautiful, to my nine year old eyes, a work of art.
The pony was a gift I was proud to give. I imagined the delight of the anonymous sick child, I imagined a girl, when she received this little stuffed toy. I have no idea if anyone else saw what I saw in my pony, but that project turned out to be a great gift to me. My previously unknown ability to turn felt and yarn into something beautiful opened the door to a sense of confidence in myself, and became the gateway to a lifetime passion for crafts, and the arts. For many years, I earned my living with the skills I discovered at that time.
Now, members of the Portland community have lots of opportunities to turn their skills and talents into gifts for others too, and of course, in the process, learn new things about themselves and their abilities. Every week now, on page two of the main section of the Oregonian, a feature called Your Source| 5 ways to plug into your community, has been added. Each week, this column presents 5 things that you (and the kids you work with as teachers, mentors and parents) can do to benefit the community.
This week the suggestions include something for everyone. Here are a few examples:
Knit for Newborns (for details go to www.handsonportland.org or www.virginiagarcia.org
Find out about college financial aid www.collegedgoaloregon.org and
Adopt the Community Warehouse for a week – www.communitywarehouse.org for more information.
Do you have an organization that can use help? Please feel free to post a request on this blog.
Topics: Community Service, How to Help |
April 20th, 2009 at 3:08 pm
Community volunteer opportunities or responsibilities students could do range from:
helping pick up litter on beaches and in parks (in groups)
create drawings and other art for retirement homes
older kids could each take on a younger kid to mentor
older kids could tutor young kids
kids could pair up and take on different duties in the classroom, helping prepare crafts, clean up, or take out garbage