Ep. 3 - Recollections & Reflection

A group of students share their experiences volunteering at Hope Lodge and how it has impacted them. They talk about tasks like laundry, checking in guests, organizing food and supply donations, and cooking meals. They express appreciation for the generosity of the community and the importance of behind-the-scenes organization. They discuss the impact of kindness and resilience on cancer patients and their families. They emphasize the connection between healthcare and empathy, and how their volunteering has strengthened their commitment to making a positive difference in the lives of cancer patients. They conclude by thanking their audience for their support and engagement. Hey everyone, it's Bailey, your co-host, welcoming you back to our third episode, Recollections and Reflections. Hi, I'm Faith, a Human Health Sciences major on the Pre-PA track, and I'll be your other co-host for this episode. Today, we will compile all our experiences while working at Hope Lodge this semester, summarize what has been learned through our volunteering, and discuss what has influenced members most while completing this project. Now let's have our other members introduce themselves. Hi, I'm Katie Bisher, and I'm a Human Health Sciences major on the Pre-Pharmacy track. Hello, I'm Lindsay Lewis, and I'm a Kinesiology major. To start, I've had an awesome time volunteering. Recently, Lindsay and I were on laundry duty. Shout out to the housekeeping ladies. They really turn chores into something fun. They love to crack jokes, and they really make the time go by fast and make it a blast. They have shown me that volunteering is not just about tasks, it's about the people that make it unforgettable. Now let's hear from Kaylee and Lindsay. One of my main responsibilities that I was in charge of multiple times volunteering was manning the front desk and checking the guests in. It is really important for them to feel welcome and comfortable in this building because of the major disease they are fighting, which puts some pressure on me to be kind and understanding of their situation. I also had the opportunity to go through and source some of the food donations they had received, which really puts into perspective the amount of community help they get. And when I say it's a lot of food, it's a lot of food. We went through almost 10 boxes full of food, all for the guests of Hope Lodge. One of the main volunteering responsibilities I took on multiple times was assisting with the organization of food and supply donations. It's incredible to witness the generosity of the community and how these contributions directly impact the guests at Hope Lodge. I also got to help out with the church group cooking dinner for the residents, and let me tell you, the food just looked delicious. It sounds like everyone's time at Hope Lodge this semester has been much enjoyable. To start, I plan on extending my volunteer efforts into next semester, and much of my time thus far has been helping maintain laundry and the house can be groomed on guest floors. From my perspective, by doing simple tasks such as these, it really goes to show how important the behind-the-scenes organization is that allows the American Cancer Society to run smoothly. From the free lodging that Hope Lodge provides for their guests to the vast amounts of community help, I can say for certain that the efforts we have seen both firsthand and participated in all work together in helping lessen the burdening impacts faced by cancer patients and their families. Big thanks to Faith for this summary. Volunteering at Hope Lodge has not only taught me about healthcare, but also developed a profound understanding of the impact such initiatives can have on individuals facing challenging circumstances. This whole journey has made me believe in kindness, resilience, and the power of people coming together in a community. It really shows how unity can make folks stronger. Expanding on Bailey's views, there is one major takeaway that I'll leave with after finishing this volunteering. While at the Hope Lodge, I learned that much effort is put into ensuring patient quality of life and mental health. Personally, what has influenced me most is knowing that conducting oneself on a mindset that is rooted in kindness and respect is imperative in helping those on the opposite side of the healthcare setting achieve a fruitful recovery. Now, let's hear from other members and how they have been influenced this semester. Throughout my volunteering experience at Hope Lodge, I've learned that compassion extends beyond medical care. It's shown by small actions like organizing supplies, preparing meals, and cleaning up. When it's in the community's generosity, directly helping the guests shows me the connection between healthcare and empathy. The most impactful part of the experience was how it strengthened my commitment to making a positive difference in lives of cancer patients. Building off of Lindsey, I completely agree that it really puts into perspective how healthcare is all about helping others. These guests were so thankful for the smallest of tasks, and we continue to show their gratitude for something as simple as restocking the supply closet. Not only did it show to me how healthcare is built on making a difference, but it also proved to me that I want to work in healthcare for the rest of my career. Before we wrap up this episode, I want to give a massive thank you to everyone who tuned in and contributed to our conversation today. Your insights and engagement make this podcast what it is, and we're grateful to have such an awesome community at Hope Lodge. And thank you to our audience for listening to our final episode of Aspirations of Hope Lodge.