Today, Saturday, was just one of those really good days. As most of my friends know, I’m really into volunteering. Today I brought Sarah (my daughter) with me to both Asian Youth Services and the Lincoln Park community center in Chicago. She needs volunteer hours for High School and given that I do so much volunteering; she will have no problems reaching her 50 hour goal by senior year.

Our day started at AYS where I had Sarah clean the refrigerator. Sound easy? HA! Stuff was spilled all over, things were not well organized and some boxes were stuck to the shelves so bad, that I was not able to get them off without destroying the box. It took awhile, but she did an awesome job. After that, she organized some of the book shelves until it was time to go. That was at 11am.

We left AYS, took the Brown Line to Lincoln Park (Chicago), about a 20 minute ride. We had a little time to spare and walked round looking at all the awesome architecture that these very fancy houses have in the area. We arrive at the Community Center about noon and met up with the other volunteers who were there. The group that helps cook is part of a Korean Church from the suburbs. As many times as I have done this, the volunteers from there are just so friendly and always a very fun group to work it. As the main organizer was unable to make it, today’s lunch was sloppy Joes, baked fries, a spinage salad with strawberries and nuts and a very good Cherry Cobbler for dessert. I helped a little, but I make sure Sarah does all she can to earn those volunteer hours.

We left at 3:15, took the train back to Lincoln Square and drove home.  Sarah had a very good time and she always enjoys working with the volunteers there at the community center.

As I sit here, enjoying a glass of Casillero del Diablo (a 2007 Merlot) and reflecting on my day, I am happy and wishing I could make a living at volunteering. J