Interview with Sasha Murphy, Community Service Coordinator

What gave you your passion for giving back?
In high school I spent eight weeks in the inner city of Chicago volunteering to help renovate The Dearborn Housing Development. I felt so great about what we were doing there.  I was hooked on community service ever since. I loved knowing I was giving something to someone who needed it and could not do it on his or her own.  I found out first hand that by volunteering some time I could change someone's life. Wow!  There is nothing better than that. Then in college there was a volunteer organization called Project Share. I got involved with them and was able to help others even more. We served food and spent time visiting with homeless families in Boston. My favorite times were when we would go to the Child Life ward at Boston General and play with the critically ill children. It was quite a sight to see all of us playing hockey in the hospital hallway with IV bags all over the place or getting a cancer patient to finally decorate and eat a cupcake when they hadn't eaten for weeks. Just to know I can help others is the best feeling.

What has been your goal/mission with the students at the Academy?
My goal is for all my students to try some type of community service project. Some have started small by making cards and moved up to raking leaves, knitting scarves or making fleece blankets for seniors. Others have gone even farther and participated in cancer walks or even cut their hair to donate for wigs. I find if they just do one community service project they want to do more. I love giving them that one project that gets them on their way. My parents gave me that one shot in high school by sending me to Chicago to volunteer. That was just the beginning for me.

What have you seen as rewarding to the students with community service and volunteering?
I love when a student comes in and tells me a story about some type of community service project they are doing or have already finished. They are so proud of themselves. They have done something very grown up and it helped out another person

How does volunteering change your students?
I find many of my students love the opportunity to help others. It's rare that young people can help out adults. All children know what it's like to feel happy. They like to know they are making someone happy. It may be as simple as drawing a Halloween card for a senior, but the kids know they will make someone smile. This is a great feeling for them. I find now many kids are looking for community projects to do on their own. Plus I see they are more conscious of what they have and how they can help others. It could be as small as opening a door for someone or helping a senior carry their groceries to their car. My students are more compassionate and outgoing because of the projects they do.

What would you tell other people who are interested in giving back to the community?
People often think of volunteering as very time consuming.  It doesn't have to be.  A short time of volunteering can feel like a million years to the person you are helping out. People often think you need a lot of money if you want to donate to an organization. Not true at all. That's why I love the SOC wish list. Even if you don't have the time, you can still help out your community by donating things as simple and inexpensive as Ziplock bags or coffee to be used at a SOC event. If I have time, I'm happy to help drive seniors to doctor appointments or sub on a Meals on Wheels route. A little can go a long way.