When I came to BYU at the age of 18 I found myself severely homesick, to the point that I determined while I was sitting in a particularly dreary Physical Science class that I was going to drop out of college and enroll at a University in Colorado where I was raised.
I called BYU’s registrar’s office to determine how to drop out of the University, called the housing office to receive my housing deposit back and move out and called Delta Airlines to make a reservation to fly to Colorado. My final call was to my parents to tell them I was done with BYU and was coming home.
My dear Mother (in a bit of a panic I know now), told me that I needed to forget my problems and lose myself in the service of others. That by doing so I would find joy and would feel a part of the community and that homesickness or any problems would be gone. Her wonderful advice changed my life forever.
I was raised to believe that where much was given much was required, and I learned at 18 is that I have had a truly blessed life, and that because of that, I have a moral obligation to give back to those who are in need. That is how I came to be involved in the United Way and specifically in the Day of Caring. I have always been a strong advocate of activities around community service, and professionally I became involved actively as the Sprint chairperson/cheerleader for our company Day of Caring events. A year ago, I was able to be part of the overall Day of Caring community board. It was a fantastic experience even though I had to wake up at 3 a.m. in the rain and move hundreds of chairs. In 2014 I was elected by Vox Populi aka the others on the community to be the Chairperson for Day of Caring 2014. It is an intimidating, overwhelming, wonderful experience, but one that I wouldn’t change for the world.
