Beyond the Job Description

My internship at the MGR Foundation has been nothing short of the unexpected. Given that the MGR Foundation believes in providing direct service to the community, I knew that I would be lucky enough to spend time outside of the office. However in addition to your standard internship duties: email, filing, event coordination, logistic management - I could have never guessed what additional 'Special Skills' I would come to acquire.

Not only have I painted banners for Peace Concerts (where I also served as event management security) and chairs at a Senior Network for the CareTeam. I have also become a veritable font of Chicago, Olympic and geographical trivia for our Dignity Diner. Much time was spent in the hunt for a portable bingo system, with great success! Other CareTeam events have included expertise in crafting coffee filter flowers at the DuSable Museum of African-American History' Family Day.

For another program, Team M3, I have colored arrows to guide runners on the Lake Front Running Path. Along with over 150 high schools students from nine CPS high schools and nearly 100 mentors, I have begun training for the Chicago Marathon. There really is nothing quite like seeing 150 students up, excited and motivated to run at 7AM on a Saturday morning.

Random shopping trips to the craft store have resulted in awesome activities for campers at Austin Town Hall through our partnership with Summer of Service and Leadership. Other SOSL activities include sorting shoes, sorting out bad bananas and playing dominos with some of the homeless community of northern Chicago. I taught the Virgina Reel to some Hope students so they could use it at a youth carnival. Two trips to the Community Food pantry at CCIL in Lawndale with two different high school groups. However, la pièce de résistance would have to be shovelling cornflakes into 2,688 eight ounce bags.

Sarah H. serves the MGR Foundation through an internship program with the DePaul University - Steans Center for Service Learning. She is currently serving the MGR Foundation full-time and we are incredibly thankful for her exceptional service and committment to our organization and the patrons we serve.