I believe in the power of compassion. The sympathy for the suffering of others, the desire to help people of lesser fortunes and improve their conditions. Volunteering at various philanthropies for community service is rewarding yet humbling. Life lessons and human characteristics are further developed and bettered by serving others.

I volunteer at multiple philanthropic, non-profit locations where compassion is frequently seen. While helping to organize a “closet” (store) inside the Rose Brooks Center, a refuge for abused and underappreciated women and children, I learned what the meaning of compassion was. A woman came into the room with her two year old son and a newborn in her arms. She attempted to buy clothes and various items with her earned Rosie Bucks, but came up short. The adorable two year old boy had on a dirty diaper, not so adorable. When the mother was forced to choose the items she needed and could afford, she opted out on purchasing the new diapers for her son. Obviously flustered, the young mother exchanged her “Rosie Bucks” for the other necessary items. Watching this unfortunate event occur, one of the older volunteers decided to, after shopping time was over, take the troubled mother and her children to the store and buy her diapers, baby formula, baby clothes and baby shampoo and body wash.

Learning that empathy and compassion can be shown not only through community service, but through daily selfless actions helped me to see that the human race, though we have flaws, is bettered by helping others and showing concern for the less fortunate and helpless. This I believe.