Volunteer Experience
I am an avid supporter for volunteering and charitable giving. There is such a rewarding feeling that comes from giving back to the community. The volunteer activities I have been involved in include caring for pigs at the Pig Placement Sanctuary, leading arts and crafts activities at the Children’s Festival at the Annenberg Center, maintaining bird sanctuaries at the Bucks County Audubon Society, and walking to end cancer at Relay for Life.
Pig Placement Sanctuary
The pig placement sanctuary is my favorite place in the world. The sanctuary is located in Bucks County and is a wonderful home for abandoned and feral pot-bellied pigs, so they can receive the proper care that they deserve . Many pigs are abandoned because of the controversial sale of teacup piglets. Some people fall victim to the “teacup piglet internet scam” where vendors sell piglets under the false notion that these piglets will never grow into full-grown pigs. Many owners are not equipped to care for an adult pig due to the sheer amount of space they need. The sanctuary is like the SPCA, but strictly for pigs, a place where they can be rescued from abusive or neglectful owners. The mission of the pig placement sanctuary is to promote domesticated pigs as pets. People can come to the sanctuary to learn about and adopt a pet pig, if they can provide evidence that they are equipped to provide a proper home. Some of the adopted animals even became award-winning show pigs! Without a shelter like this, many pot-bellied pigs would remain abused, unwanted, or abandoned. My volunteer duties include cleaning the pens and towels, feeding the pigs, and my favorite part—playing with the piglets!
If you want to smile, click here to watch this video of pigs playing at a sanctuary!
Relay for Life: New Hope
Relay for Life, sponsored by the American Cancer Society, is a volunteer activity that I have participated in for many years. My commitment and leadership to this philanthropy demonstrates my dedication to the cause. Because cancer affects everyone’s lives in some way, I wanted to make a difference. I started volunteering with Relay for Life after my mom was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2007. Thankfully, she got better and achieved a full recovery. Then, in 2012 my best friend’s mom was diagnosed. In 2013, my friend and I lead a team of twelve people to raise money in her honor. The event lasts for twenty-four hours during which teams occupy themselves with games, entertainment, and raffles. Also, there is a rule that at least one person from each team needs to be walking around the track in a never-ending “relay.” The most important, albeit emotional, part is the evening is the lighting of the luminaries that line the track in honor of survivors, fighters, and those who have passed. During this time, there are memorials, pictures, and speeches for those who lost their battle to this terrible disease. It was one of the most inspirational events I have ever participated in, and I plan on continuing to raise money until there is a cure!
Pictured below is our team from 2014 as well as the luminary in honor of my friend’s mom.
For more information about Relay for Life, click here.
