Category Archives: Do Something For Humanity For Crying Out Loud

Life Lessons Learned From Volunteering At Sloan Kettering

photo (20) A little more than two years ago, I walked into the Volunteer Resources office at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center for an interview. The date was March 21, 2012, exactly one year since the death of my grandmother, who had passed away from pancreatic cancer and who was a patient at the hospital.

I had signed up to volunteer as a part of Sloan’s Visible Ink program. After about 10 minutes with the department’s coordinator, it was clear to her that I was better suited to become a visiting volunteer, someone who goes room to room a few hours a week to visit with patients who may be lonely, or without much company. On the surface, the job seems simple: a five minute chat, a check-in. But I can tell you, for me, it’s been life-changing.

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Filed under Do Something For Humanity For Crying Out Loud, Memorials

Champagne Problems at an Upper East Side Voting Station

When I woke up this morning, I was so excited to vote. During the presidential election of 2004, I was in college, and voted via absentee ballot. In 2008, I was working as a reporter in the Hamptons, unable to go home to vote, and again, submitted my choice via absentee. I so looked forward to casting my vote at a polling station, among people also in love with government, politics, and civic duty.

It’s now clear that I expected too, too much.

With the day off of work, I took my time getting my act together this morning and slowly made my way down to the Cathedral of the Holy Trinity on E. 74th Street. I got on the line, which bent up 1st Avenue, at 9:45a.m. It was chilly out, but the sun was shining, and my spirit was still way up.

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Filed under Around Town, Do Something For Humanity For Crying Out Loud, WORST Things Ever

Donations Needed!

Columbia Law School is collecting blankets, non-perishable food and clothing (preferably warm clothing, including coats) to assist those affected by the storm. I will be up at West Point this weekend if anyone wants to drop off donations at either my parents’ house or our AAA Lot football tailgate. If you’re in the city, you can drop off donations at William and June Warren Hall, 1125 Amsterdam Avenue, 5th Floor.

Every teeny, tiny, little bit counts. Be well!

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Filed under Around Town, Do Something For Humanity For Crying Out Loud