As you might know already, my position at the RutgerZone is manager of Outreach - part of my job is to develop community service/volunteer opportunities for my staff and I to organize and participate in. The RutgerZone is not only a place of employment or a place with games - but it also serves as a learning experience and a stepping stone for the students that work here. Around October I had been playing with the idea of having kids come to the zone for a special event. With the holidays coming up, it was the perfect opportunity to put this idea to reality.
I got in touch with the family coordinator from the New Brunswick Charter School, Ana. I gave her my ideas and vision for the event - to have a traditional Thanksgiving Day dinner for children who may not often get a chance to have a full dinner or time to spend with their family. We finally decided it would be best to have whole families come to the event.
Ana and some of the staff at the school nominated about 14 families to come to the event. And what a success it turned out to be. The families arrived on Livingston excited and thrilled - they walked into Livingston Hall to see the entire place decorated with festive decor and food ready to be served. As the RutgersZone staff welcomed them in, you could see the smiles on their faces lighten up - that was only the beginning.
We interacted with the families by joining them for dinner, dancing with the children and playing tag, doing arts and crafts, playing with an oversized parachute, giving out little goodie bags, etc. We even had our manager Adam dress up as Zoney the penguin! The RutgersZone staff really went out of their way to make this event special for the families that attended. I am so proud to have such an amazing staff that is willing to help and make a difference.
Not to be biased but I must say that the biggest hit of the day was the zone. Ice Cream and arcade games and kids is the perfect mix!
The families were so grateful and it was really gratifying to see them so happy. They got to take home pictures of themselves in the Big Red Chair - they were adorable!
As the holidays are here, it became apparent how important it is to step outside yourself and realize all that you have. For these kids, the smallest things we did made the biggest difference. It was an overwhelming feeling to know that we were making an impact on their lives.
Of course the event came with hardwork. My boss Matt and I spent hours upon hours together wracking our brains trying to come up with the best activities and a set schedule for the event. Our hard work paid off. I could not have been more happy with the way the event turned out.
A big THANK YOU to the staff that participated and to our good friend Alisa who was an AMAZING MC/Host for the event.
Thanks to Matt, Becky, Adam, Phylisha, Lisa, Ali, Dominique, Kyle, Alyssa, Tiffany, Sherina, Nicole, Alexandra, Alisa, Bridget :D You guys are amazing!
Our staff was unbelievably great to the kids, to the families, and to each other. Although this was about helping families in need, it also gave our staff a chance to bond with each other and make a difference in our community as a whole.
I am so happy to have the job that I do where I am able to do these sorts of things and look forward to future events!! :)
Pictures are coming!!
--Ashley :P
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