Emily Hidell

To me, service is not only an opportunity to leave the world slightly better than I found it, but provides me a way to connect with and learn about the lives, struggles, and histories of different groups within my community. From the time I was in Lower School, participating in church-run meal packing events with my family, making sandwiches for the homeless alongside my classmates in Shelton Hall, or sorting cans on service trips to Second Harvest Food Bank, I always felt a fundamental desire not only to help as many people as I could, but to provide this help in a way that was more personal than putting old clothes in a collection bin or making an online donation. Service, especially through the organization Mel’s Diner, allowed me to interact face-to-face with the communities my work was benefiting. While some people find this type of service intimidating, it allowed me to reflect on the differences between my life and those of the people I observed