Emily- Guidance Center- Day Four

Tuesday was our very long day of volunteering at the Aquinas Center.  The Aquinas Center is part of the Guidance Center’s Headstart programs, preschool for families of lower socioeconomic status.  We started out by cleaning out a huge and rather disgusting storage room.  Everyone was a little intimidated because we weren’t exactly sure how the staff wanted things arranged and what would be ok to throw in the trash.  But we did our best and made a big difference.  We got rid of things no longer needed, did some heavy lifting, put together new shelves, and did a lot of sweeping.  We were pretty warn out by the time lunch rolled around but it was cool to have completed the storage room because we weren’t sure if we would be able to finish it but we did!  After lunch we began helping Emily, a Headstart and United Way staff member, prepare for the literacy event to take place that evening.  We set up snacks, crafts, games, and book tables to prepare for the families and kids that would attend.  Clifford made an appearance and read to kids.  On Thursday we did another event like this and Neal read to some kids which was pretty cute to see.  I worked with Maureen and some staff to fill up the drink coolers and we got ready for the kids to arrive.  I worked at the crafts table and I had so much fun talking with kids and helping them with their open-ended craft projects.  My heart was touched when a little girl named Irene colored me a picture of Clifford.  It made me want to cry it was so sweet.  After our long day we were pretty exhausted but excited for another adventure.  Byron and Patty took us to dinner in Mexican town.  I enjoyed some very delicious chimichangas!