Sara Henderson’s volunteer experience is probably the most relatable one you may find. She began excited, all-in, driven, empathetic, and completely forgetting how terrifying it is to reach out and meet strangers. Reliving her first time volunteer experience with Hands On Atlanta’s TeamWorks! program reminds us all why trying something new, especially volunteering, can be so scary.

Nervous, unsure of the tasks at hand, Sara showed up late (after being lost) to A.G. Rhodes, only to find she was tasked to compete on “Nailed It” in real life. An admirer of those who do crafts, this was not the first challenge Sara faced in following through on her volunteering commitment.

“When I got out of bed that morning, I almost talked myself out of going. When I got lost, I almost turned around for home. And when I discovered we were crafting, I almost quietly snuck out the back door. But I didn't. Instead, I sat with a resident as she told me about her children who she hadn't seen in months, and their children whose names she could not recall. She regaled me stories of fame, her many adventures as an elevator operator in Atlanta's famed Biltmore hotel, and gave me invaluable Atlanta history. I gave her much-needed companionship, my interest in her life, and the least-terrible door wreath I've ever made”.

It’s easy to forget how much we need each other in the hustle and bustle of daily life, or to assume what others think based on what we see in [social] media. Sara’s heart and drive through her early volunteering experience embodies the point of volunteering. It’s not about making it perfect, it’s about making an impact.

In Sara’s words: Whether you measure your spare time in miles on the track or miles up a mountain - if we all do just a little, together we can do a whole lot.

You can help Sara “do a little” this month by volunteering with her through Career Village answering college and career readiness questions from students, spreading kindness with Hands on Atlanta's Kindness Cards, or by registering food pantry guests at a drive up distribution site in Newnan.

Inspired by Sara’s story?

Help us engage and highlight incredible efforts like Sara’s, by making a donation to Hands On Atlanta. It takes hard work AND financial support to tackle Atlanta’s most pressing needs. When you let our hands be yours, every $1 invested turns into $6 of economic impact! Donate now and help ensure a more civically engaged and equitable Atlanta.