NJWAN Walk/Run for Fun!

This past Saturday was our first Volunteer event! It was a big success. We volunteered for NJWAN which is an organization that benefits woman with HIV/AIDS. They were hosting a 5k walk/run and needed volunteers to help with registration, setting up, distributing water/snacks, and cheering on the participants. Matt picked me up around 6AM with coffee and donuts! It was early and we were both a little out of it but that only added to the experience.

So we hopped in the student life van - or taxi rather - to pick up everyone that was going to help out that day. THANK YOU TO MATT, MEL, NICOLE, BRIDGET, DOM, PHYLISHA, BECKY, JOELLE, AND JESS! Y'ALL ROCK :D

The weather was pretty cold when we arrived and during the event but this didn't affect how much fun we had. We all split up into cheering groups after blowing up balloons and getting all set up. I was with Mel and Nicole most of the day and we had a great time cheering on the runners/walkers. We had two signs that read "Good Job" and "Don't Stop Believing." We kept singing the Journey song as people went past. Mel even learned how to play Jingle Bells on her flute/whistle/noise maker - she's crazy but a great cheerleader :)

It was so rewarding to see how happy the participants got when we would call out their specific number and tell them good job. It was even more rewarding to see how thankful the woman running the event was to have us all there. It was a day full of thank yous and I think it is safe to say that we all felt good after helping out.

Being the Manager of Outreach really has its rewards I'm so happy to be able to help our community and bond with the staff while doing so.

Check back for pictures of the event!

-Ashley :D