Half a dozen third graders sit in the Science Lecture building on Western's campus as they build mini earthquake-resistant houses out of rubber bands, tape, paper clips and paper.
“Do you need an assistant builder?” Western sophomore Victoria Do said. She smiled as she knelt at a table next to a girl wearing pig tails.
“Do you need an assistant builder?” Western sophomore Victoria Do said. She smiled as she knelt at a table next to a girl wearing pig tails.
Do, along with other Western students, volunteered at the Odyssey of Science and Arts event held on Feb. 25 for third through fifth graders who were interested in learning about the science of earthquakes. She said she volunteered through the Circle K club, a club that focuses on a variety of volunteer events within the community.
Do said she has been “hooked” on volunteering since middle school, when she first volunteered to plant daffodils for her school.
Through her volunteer work, she has learned that “everyday heroes,” people who perform small acts of kindness, make a huge difference in the lives of those around them, she said.
When Do came to Western she got involved with the Circle K Club. The club participates in senior bingo nights at Alderwood Park Convalescence Center, serves food to the homeless community with Coffee and Sandwiches on
Tuesdays program, and visits children from low-income families at Sterling Meadows neighborhood.
Through volunteering with the homeless community, Do said she has learned not to stereotype people based on their life circumstances.
“Some people get the wrong idea about the homeless population and think they are scary or rude,” she said. “But the people I’ve worked with are always friendly and kind and appreciate what we do to help.”
After they served a meal one day, she said one of the people being served anonymously left a rose on the table as a way to say “thank you” to the club.
After they served a meal one day, she said one of the people being served anonymously left a rose on the table as a way to say “thank you” to the club.
“It’s little gestures like that show us we are making a difference in someone’s life,” she said.
Growing up, she said her family never forced her to volunteer, but they taught her the importance of kindness and helping others through their own volunteer work.
“Every year my uncle would take a group of students to Vietnam to help with much needed dentistry work,” she said. “That was inspiring for me to see.”
Do grew up in Vancouver, Wash. During her freshman year of high school she joined Key Club, a club that volunteers with a variety of organizations in the community.
She said one of her favorite memories during that time was when the club volunteered with Share, an organization that helps the homeless move from the streets to self-sufficient living.
“It was during Christmas time,” Do said. “I love working with kids and I love to bake, so that event was perfect for me.”
Western sophomore Rachael Balbarona met Do last year when they lived in the same stack in the Fairhaven dorms. She said she went to Circle K meetings with Do and now they are both officers for the club.
Balbarona said Do is a hard worker as secretary of the club.
Balbarona said Do is a hard worker as secretary of the club.
“If an officer isn’t able to get a task done, Victoria is always the first one to volunteer to take on the project and make time for it in her schedule,” she said.
Volunteering is important to her because it is a way to help others live a better and happier life, Do said.
“I am most happy when I see other people happy,” she said.
Western senior Lindsey Evans said she knows Do through volunteering at Western. She said Do is helpful and dedicated to whatever job is given to her.
“During a Girl Scouts event, she was the only volunteer that stayed after to help when the other volunteers had left,” she said.
Do said one of the ways she sees the impact the club is having on the community is through visiting the nursing home. Some of them don’t have relatives nearby, so having the club visit on a regular basis is a big deal to them, she said.
“Growing up I had a good family and I never had to suffer from anything big,” she said. “So when I hear about people in my community who are going through difficult events I want to help by giving them the same kind of happiness I experienced growing up. There are always little things you can do to help make people’s lives better.”
The Western Front
March 1, 2011
