Northwest Spokane Pediatrics

Community Service at Northwest Spokane

Posted by Tanner on Jan 22 2010 | Comments

We recently had the pleasure of having a Mount Spokane High Student, Stephanie Sutton, volunteer her time for community service in our office.  We loved having her in the office and thank her for all her hard work. She was very professional and friendly. Here is what she had to say about her experience in our office.

Stephanie Sutton

January 14, 2010

Community Service

             Community Service in my eyes is serving those less fortunate than myself. I volunteered at Northwest Spokane pediatrics and worked with several different programs that serve our community. Going into this assignment I did it simply for just the hours not the people it effected. But as soon as I got started at Northwest Spokane Pediatrics I knew the experience would be for more than just the grade. When I stepped back and actually thought about how this will effect peoples life’s the experience meant more than I imagined.

             All the outdated medicine at the office we donated to Missionary programs. The medicine was donated to those who are ill and are not able to afford it on their own. I never realized how many underprivileged people were sick in our community and needed help. To think they don’t always the medical attention they need made me feel guilty. If I’m sick  I can go to the doctor, buy the medicine I need and get better but these people aren’t as fortunate. The families at Northwest Spokane pediatrics, including myself

donated old unused toys to our local shelters. I never thought that something I viewed as outdated would bring the same joy I once had to another child. These children often didn’t have toys so when they got the items we donated they said it was like Christmas to them. I’ve donated old items in the past but I never got to witness how they would change their lives. So to know that my old toys I used to cherish so much would make a different in a Childs life made me feel good.  I think the event that stands out the most to me is the effect the therapy dog Tanner had on the patients. I got to first hand witness the calming effect animals have on children. A baby would go in for shots screaming and crying and end up smiling as I brought Tanner in the room. This had a major impact on me because I love animals and enjoy seeing how they can help people. My absolute favorite part of the community service experience was shredding old paper and donating it to the humane societies. I got to see the dogs without homes which made me feel bad but they got new bedding. Doing anything for animals touches my heart the  most. I’ve always been an animal lover and two of my current dogs came from the pound.

                 To conclude my experience in the community I learned that community service touches the lives of many. Even if it just started out as a school assignment I’ve personally learned there is more to this world than just me. Not everyone on this planet is born with the same opportunities so its important to give back. I am a very fortunate person that can afford medicine, toys, and to care for my pets. Not everyone around me is as fortunate  so to give back made me feel like I’m doing something good. The whole experience actually made me a lot happier because I felt like I made a difference in to people. I wasn’t just a selfish teenager for once.