My American Creed

There are many ways, small and big, that anyone can express their american citizenship through action. I have had a lot of opportunities to express my sense of American Creed.

My first memory of helping people was going to my grandparents church and helping at the food bank. All different people with all different types of difficulties would come up to the door and we would greet them with a smiling face. I can still remember the routine, first we would ask how many family members they had and depending on that we would put food in bags for them. We always always asked what kind of cereal they prefer or what kind of soup. It was always personalized to the family. It was so important for me to see this at such a young age because it opened my eyes to the world outside of my life and the importance of helping others no matter what.

One of my first opportunities to express my sense of American Creed was in 2019 when I went on a mission trip to Fort Wayne Indiana. It was called Burmese Mission Outreach(BMO). We stayed at a camp called Camp Lutherhaven but everyday we would drive to Fort Wayne and run a camp for a summer camp for families who were struggling. We were set up at a playground that was around a bunch of small condos and apartments that the families lived in. The kids we played with didn't have much and most of the time was looking forward to leaving their houses everyday. After our camp ended everyday we would go to a nearby school and help clean, organize and get ready for the school year ahead. For lunch there was one family who was burmese and made us the most amazing authentic burmese food. It was such a cool way to connect with their culture and learn more about their background. Overall it was a great trip and it truly opened my eyes to America and to my American Creed.

The last two summers as well as this upcoming summer I have traveled to Bear Branch Kentucky to serve the local community there. It is through an organization called Big Creek and it is run out of an old school. My first year I was a volunteer for the kids camp. We would go and pick up kids from their houses or trailers and bring them to a park. We had lots of activities set up like chalk, bubbles, music and, there was a playground. We had breakfast with them and lunch, for some of these kids these were the only meals they were eating that day. We had water days where we played with water balloons and the hose. Last year I volunteered for construction and our big project was building a roof. We started with laying down planks of wood so we could drill the metal to the top of the trailer house. Then we laid down the sheets of metal and it was finished. We also started digging holes and putting posts in them to eventually make a ramp for an older lady who could not use stairs anymore. These trips have truly opened my eyes and have given me the opportunity to live out my American creed.

As important it is to help serve around the U.S. it is just as important to volunteer in your own community. I love being a part of key club and helping out at different events. My favorite event hands down would have to be respite. Caregivers are given a break and the kids have a fun night full of games, activities and singing. Normally I am a buddy so I get paired up with a child and I get to hang out with them that night. It is such a special night and truly expresses my American creed.