“You never know what you have until it’s gone.”  My volunteer experience proved this famous quote.  On February 26, 2010, I experienced gratefulness for materialistic items that I have.  I did not actually experience the lack of my materialistic items, but I was surrounded by people who do not have nearly as much as I do. The children that celebrated their birthdays and got cheap gifts were grateful for the whole experience.

At the end of every month, an organization called Birthday Closet holds a birthday party for all the children at Martinez Elementary School students who do not have the fortune of getting to celebrate their birthdays.  The workers at Birthday Closet spend their time baking the kids cupcakes, buying them presents, preparing their goodie bags, and allow the kids to have an enjoyable experience.  They get nothing in return; the workers just help to give back to the community.

As a member of National Honors Society, I am required to have at least one group event for every semester.  My friends, Ronald, Kent, and Sonya, asked me to join them at the Birthday Closet event.  I really did not feel like going, but since my friends were going and I need a group event, I decided to accompany my friends. 

When I went to Martinez Elementary School, I looked around the cafeteria.  All I saw were tables with paint, tables with cupcakes, a stage full of inexpensive presents, and a table with lousy goodie bags.  I helped to make the goodie bags that included fruit snacks, one piece of candy, a plastic toy, and a granola bar.  There were toy cars, games, puzzles, and various sports balls lined up on the stage.  I assumed that each child would be able to pick one present as their gift.

The one gift that stuck out in my mind was the game ‘Don’t’ Break the Ice.’ I remember getting that as an everyday present when I was a tender girl; my parents would never get me something so cheap as a present.  My parents would always buy me sparse gifts like games or toys, and then get me something distinguished for my birthday or Christmas.

The children began entering the cafeteria with nervous expressions on their faces.  First, there was a balloon animal act.  Everyone began to loosen up and cheered as the man attempted to make balloon animals.  They were divided into three groups to have cupcakes, face painting, and play.  The kids ate their cupcakes, and then came to me for face painting with frosting on their faces.  Each child had a different personality, but all were very respectful and polite.  I know there were some children who did not like my drawings, but they all respectably said they liked it.  I was such a horrible artist; some spiders came out as blobs.  None of the children complained.   They all left my station with grins on their faces.

When the kids played limbo and parachute, I could see how lively they were.  I did not know it was possible to be satisfied yourself without materialistic items.  Ronald, Kent, Sonya, and I kept looking at each other smiling because it was so pleasing to see how thrilled the kids were.  When they received their presents, the children all said thank you and had massive smiles on their faces.  Before they left, the advisors got them in a group and made them close their eyes.  All the volunteers sprayed them with silly string.  Watching the kids screaming and laughing made me have a sense of pleasure. 

For every birthday and Christmas, my first thought was, “What is everyone going to get me?”  I never appreciated what I got from my friends and parents; I just expected it.  I remember the Christmas of 2008; my parents got me soap and a David Archuletta CD.  After I opened the present, I wondered where the rest of my gift was.  I complained the whole Christmas.  I even went as far as to go up to my room and stay there the whole night.  My parents apologized and said they did not know what to get me.  The next Christmas, I made sure my parents knew I wanted an IPod Touch and got me one. 

For the two hours that all the children celebrated, their birthdays seemed to be one of the most memorable times of their lives.  The children were appreciative of the cupcakes with water, face painting, games, and cheap presents.  I realized that you could be amused and enjoy life without the most expensive things.  I also felt accomplished because I enjoyed the kids’ birthday experiences with them.

The advisors were so enduring to the children; they were all admirable with the kids.  I always wondered why people would take their time out to help people they did not even know.  However, after volunteering at the Birthday Closet, I felt pleased to know that I had helped someone.  Volunteering to help my school’s Student Council set up decorations for the Sadie Hawkins Dance or volunteering to go to a cheer rally with my friends to raise money for an organization was very fun.  Nonetheless, those experiences did not give me the feeling I had after volunteering at Birthday Closet.  I felt so accomplished to know that those kids were entertained without materialistic items and I was there to experience that with them.

My birthday will be in March, and I think I just might celebrate my birthday at Martinez Elementary School.  I have volunteered a lot this year.  For Key Club, I have fifty hours of community service and for National Honors Society I have thirty-two hours of community service.  Of all the organizations I have volunteered for, Birthday Closet has had the most impact on me.  Just two hours with grateful kids made me very appreciative of all the presents I have and will get in the future and made me realize that fun does not come from money, fun comes from letting yourself not care and just enjoy experiences that present themselves to you.