Volunteers are my everyday heroes

Rarely does one have the opportunity to witness the display of raw human emotion, but such a chance was afforded to me last week.

I thought it would be fun to follow the Alternative Breaks New York City envoy. For one, it would give me a chance to seek the city and Ground Zero.

For two, not much else was happening that weekend while most students ditched school and opted to have fun in the sun.

In fact, while driving the 12-hour trip to the East Coast, I wondered what sort of people these volunteers would be. You see, the career path I have chosen doesn’t leave much time for studying, let alone for volunteering to help my community.

So I never had the chance to get to know a true volunteer.

What I witnessed during spring break was nothing short of magical. From excitement to sorrow, from selflessness to exhaustion, I witnessed every physical and mental state capable of a human being — something I never equated with voluntarism.

These 11 souls worked tirelessly, sometimes to the point where their feet throbbed, to walk an average of 5 miles a day.

They didn’t do it to stay in shape. They didn’t do it because they couldn’t afford a cab. They did it because they wanted to help people.

As a journalist, I approached this unusual characteristic with a bit of skepticism. Maybe they just wanted to work in New York City. Maybe they just wanted to work with friends. Maybe they sunburned easily.

But as the week progressed, I realized that these were truly unique people, and that nearly 130 of them were volunteering their time across the country. ASB even sent a group to Romania to work with Habitat for Humanity.

These individuals I worked with expressed sincere shock at first when they came into contact with HIV/AIDS patients. Nothing had prepared them for this experience.

That soon turned to realization, then sorrow, then optimism, for they truly learned from the people they serviced that life should be lived to the fullest. They noticed that almost every person they delivered a meal to had a smile on his or her face.

As they talked to me moments before they piled into the car to return to Michigan, they all said they felt more educated about HIV/AIDS and they felt closer to each other.

The photo editor and I were acting as observers this week, not getting involved when the group lost its way in the big city or when they couldn’t decide on extracurricular activities after work.

When working we were not there, and we couldn’t share our thoughts, feelings and opinions with the group during the nightly reflection periods.

But now I can. And I would like to thank the volunteers I worked with. Erin, Tom, Matt, Ben, Laura, Amanda, Andrea, Tim, Erin2, Brooke and Kathleen: You let Tony and I share a part of your lives and witness life-changing moments.

Your strength, perseverance and dedication is truly admirable and will not go unnoticed. To you, all Alternative Breakers and to all volunteers: You are my heroes.