Almost a full month after the Walk, some hundreds of Walk guides, stickers, and snack bags are cleaned up and the Warehouse, along with my ability to formulate a coherent thought outside of 140 characters returned to a relative state of normalcy. The last part, my ability to formulate a coherent thought outside of 140 characters, is what leads me to write this blog post.
For me, and like everyone else who participated in the Walk, the week before the big day and Walk Day itself was a whirlwind of activity. From my 3:00 A.M. wake up call on Walk Day, I was running around: first setting up Early Group Registration, by 7 A.M. following Deeana to Newton Centre, and by 7:30 A.M. anxiously awaiting the arrival of my first volunteers. From 8:30 A.M. to 2:30 P.M. I was a Stationary Marshal at Newton Centre, staffing my area with volunteers and handing out a LOT of high fives and awkward "YEAH, WOOO!" chants. After the last Walkers made their way through my station, I made my way back to the Commons and to Checkpoint 9, where I congratulated Walkers and passed out certificates commemorating their accomplishments. Once the last Walk Certificate was signed, I hopped in my car and headed to Project Bread to help unpack all the Walk Supplies. Everyone was exhausted yet upbeat, energized by the day and the potential of going home and sleeping.
Leaving work that night I was absolutely SPENT. I walked into my friend’s apartment and she excitedly asked me how the day was, what my favorite part was, and of course, if we raised a lot of money. I gave her vague answers, the day was great, we raised a lot of money, and I couldn’t pick a favorite. I was exhausted. She prodded further and I recalled a moment I had in Newton Centre.
At Newton Centre, a middle school aged girl asked me if she could interview me. I politely told her I wasn't a spokesperson for the Walk and she looked at me strangely, not quite grasping what I was telling her. So naturally, she proceeded with her interview. She asked me why I was volunteering for the Walk. Now I didn't tell her that I was, in fact, being paid to be there (because who am I to shatter her illusions about me being an exceptionally good person...?); but I did tell her the reasons why I walked changed a hundred, even a thousand times over throughout the day.
Prior to Walk Day, I was motivated by my belief that nutritious food should be accessible to everyone, or as my cliche last blog post would lead you to believe, "you get what you give". On Walk Day, I saw so many different people, from different walks of life, with different backgrounds, and different bank account balances, come together to support a cause and make a difference in their community. I told her the opportunity to give people a vehicle where they can make real change in their communities, regardless of their income, education level, or status, was why I “volunteered” my time. Every walker that passed- whether they gave me a high five or simply smiled back-gave me another reason to be there. The fact that the money raised helps Project Bread develop and fund anti-hunger programs throughout Massachusetts was like icing on the cake to me on Walk Day.
So the girl smiled and said, "So, in a way, you have around 40,000 reasons to walk?" Her Dad and I laughed, I told her she was cleverer than I, and agreed with her. I realized that moment- the interview, the girl’s clever response, her dad and I sharing a laugh-was my favorite moment because it was the moment I fully realized how fortunate I was to work for an organization that does the work we do.
P.S.- In the off chance the middle school girl sees this: I want any video footage you have of me hidden forever, since I can't imagine my Green windbreaker jacket, green trucker hat, mom jeans, and running sneakers ensemble being my best on camera look.
-Samantha Bennett
Leaving work that night I was absolutely SPENT. I walked into my friend’s apartment and she excitedly asked me how the day was, what my favorite part was, and of course, if we raised a lot of money. I gave her vague answers, the day was great, we raised a lot of money, and I couldn’t pick a favorite. I was exhausted. She prodded further and I recalled a moment I had in Newton Centre.
At Newton Centre, a middle school aged girl asked me if she could interview me. I politely told her I wasn't a spokesperson for the Walk and she looked at me strangely, not quite grasping what I was telling her. So naturally, she proceeded with her interview. She asked me why I was volunteering for the Walk. Now I didn't tell her that I was, in fact, being paid to be there (because who am I to shatter her illusions about me being an exceptionally good person...?); but I did tell her the reasons why I walked changed a hundred, even a thousand times over throughout the day.
Prior to Walk Day, I was motivated by my belief that nutritious food should be accessible to everyone, or as my cliche last blog post would lead you to believe, "you get what you give". On Walk Day, I saw so many different people, from different walks of life, with different backgrounds, and different bank account balances, come together to support a cause and make a difference in their community. I told her the opportunity to give people a vehicle where they can make real change in their communities, regardless of their income, education level, or status, was why I “volunteered” my time. Every walker that passed- whether they gave me a high five or simply smiled back-gave me another reason to be there. The fact that the money raised helps Project Bread develop and fund anti-hunger programs throughout Massachusetts was like icing on the cake to me on Walk Day.
So the girl smiled and said, "So, in a way, you have around 40,000 reasons to walk?" Her Dad and I laughed, I told her she was cleverer than I, and agreed with her. I realized that moment- the interview, the girl’s clever response, her dad and I sharing a laugh-was my favorite moment because it was the moment I fully realized how fortunate I was to work for an organization that does the work we do.
P.S.- In the off chance the middle school girl sees this: I want any video footage you have of me hidden forever, since I can't imagine my Green windbreaker jacket, green trucker hat, mom jeans, and running sneakers ensemble being my best on camera look.
-Samantha Bennett