Volunteering During the Pandemic and Memories Meeting the Seniors

Nayeema Z., a Benjamin Cardozo High School volunteer, reflects on how volunteering during the pandemic shifted her perspective on what it means to help the community and provide support during hard times. Nayeema also shares some heartwarming memories from past makeovers with seniors.

Volunteering during the pandemic made me realize that helping the community is not always about elaborate events, sometimes just providing a little company and some kind words are enough to help others. Although making the cards was not the same as the actual makeovers, I do believe that it provided the seniors much-needed support during these hard times. Making the cards was a fun and creative activity to keep my own mind off of the events going on at the time. The cards let the seniors know that they are not alone and we are still thinking of them. I really enjoyed making the special holiday cards because it got me in a festive mood and hopefully it did the same for the seniors.

Although we did not get to meet the seniors this year, just reminiscing about our previous makeovers, I remembered how fun it was. At first, my friend and I were shy and nervous to approach the seniors but they were so friendly and sweet, we were soon comfortable. The seniors always had fun stories to share: they talked about their families, some even attended our own school or had children who went there. They all really liked getting their nails done and were very excited to pick the colors. The makeovers are not hard at all; even the people who do not usually paint their nails caught on really quickly. So, for people joining us in the future, I encourage them to not be nervous about approaching the seniors and to take on this opportunity to meet these sweet and fun people.