The Greeley Stampede - an annual 4th of July carnival & rodeo, set up in the growing suburban city of Greeley, Colorado. A place where families and friends come for all kinds of games and fun, this event is a hub for hundreds of locals during the summer heat. As I navigated my high school years, seeking ways to earn additional National Honor Society service hours, I stumbled upon this rich opportunity to further refine and build my professional skillset. Nancy Critfield, one of my grandmother's friends from as long as she can remember, was part of a local volunteering group called the Greeley Exchange Club. Every year, for the Stampede, they ran Pepsi stands and Mountain Dew booths to help ensure that no one goes thirsty while out and about. This seemed like the perfect opportunity for me to give back to the community while, simultaneously, gathering some more experience, interacting with paying customers. When Nancy asked if I was up for the task, my response, "Of course!", couldn't come quickly enough.

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My main jobs, while volunteering at the Mountain Dew Booth and Pepsi Stand, were managing the cash register and serving a variety of sodas to customers. Much like my job at the restaurant, I had to constantly stay organized, make critical decisions, and serve everyone on time. Beyond what I physically accomplished while volunteering at the Stampede, however, I also gained insight into what it means to give back to something bigger than myself. One of the main reasons the Greeley Exchange Club enjoys helping out at these types of events is that they can improve their local community while also raising awareness about broader issues. A description on the Exchange's website reads, "...to help others, whether by reaching out to an abused child who needs love and affection… helping to organize a community crime prevention program …or wielding rakes in a clean-up project." The Exchange Club truly helps out with all kinds of real-world issues. Similarly, at all of the Pepsi and Mountain Dew stands, tip jars were placed for customers to donate to children in need. As people came to purchase drinks, we would urge them to also become a part of a greater cause by donating some of their spare change. Most of the time, people would easily drop a dollar or two right into the jar! For me, it was fascinating to watch how far the reach of the Exchange Club went! Their volunteer work at the Stampede not only contributed to the benefit of the local community, but it also made a difference worldwide. Volunteering for the Exchange Club truly opened my eyes to the different types of positive impacts I hope to be a part of later in life. Helping others in my local community while also leaving a positive mark globally are goals that I hope to accomplish in my future career.