Super Service
Saturdays:
A Student’s
Account

When I signed up to participate in a Super Service Saturday with some of my fellow Kent Student Ambassadors, I wasn’t entirely sure what I was getting myself into. I knew that I would have fun because ambassadors always have fun together. I knew that I would feel good at the end of the day because volunteering has a way of filling your heart up with joy. I knew that transportation was provided.

What I didn’t know was that I would have to be at the Kent Student Center at 7:45 a.m. Most college students don’t even know that 7:45 a.m. exists on a Saturday.

Our start time was so early because we were going to the Ronald McDonald House in Cleveland. When we made it to the city, we were buzzed into the building, which was the size of a hotel, but felt like a home. Immediately, we were sent into the kitchen to get to work on breakfast. We cooked McDonald’s breakfast items, of course. I was in charge of sausage patties with Emily and Heidi. I’m pretty sure we all have promising futures in griddle service if our majors don’t work out.

In the middle of our breakfast preparation, a little girl named Elysia wandered into the kitchen. She was seven years old, and her family was out in the dining area, waiting for us to hurry up with the pancakes and eggs. Elysia had such warmth and happiness gushing out of her, despite the fact that her family was staying at the Ronald McDonald House because a loved one was sick at the hospital. We talked with her while we cooked, and within a matter of 15 minutes, she decided she liked two of the ambassadors enough to give them each a silly band bracelet. Emily got Spiderman, and Jess got a penguin. In my personal opinion, those are both pretty great finds in the silly band market.

After breakfast, an older man walked over to us and sincerely thanked us for making breakfast. It was one of those moments that makes you stop and think. His presence at the house meant that he was dealing with a pretty serious issue within his own family. He didn’t need to stop and thank us – but he did. That’s how everyone was at the Ronald McDonald House. People care about one another there. I think it’s the culture of giving back.

We spent the rest of the day cleaning guest rooms, organizing game closets and cleaning up the children’s playroom. We met even more kids hanging out in the playroom. One little girl came over to us and started talking about her pets. She said she had 12 cats at home. They had names like ZuZu and LuLu. She couldn’t quite remember all the rest. She seemed so happy to have people to talk with. I think that was my favorite part of the whole experience. I loved being able to interact with the people who were staying as guests at the house.

By the time we all piled back into the taxi to go back to Kent, we were exhausted, but also so thankful. We were thankful that we had the opportunity to give back to others. Everyone at Kent State has that chance if they want to take it. It’s as simple as signing up for a few hours of volunteer work on a Saturday, and I can guarantee you won’t regret it.

To learn more about Super Service Saturdays or to sign up, contact Amber Colello at acolello@kent.edu or 330-672-8010 or visit www.kent.edu/emsa/service/volunteer/super-service-saturday.cfm.