RON thrives on public volunteers and we love to give our thanks for their awesome work! This month we highlight Jasmin, a local college student who worked with us this Spring semester. Here's what Jasmin has to say on volunteering:
Online learning has had its many challenges especially when it comes to service-learning. During the beginning of the Spring 2021 semester, I was struggling with other volunteer sites falling through and was off to a late start with my service hours. Thankfully I was able to secure a spot with Return of Natives which was a great experience. Although I was unable to do the hands-on work that RON usually provides due to COVID-19 restrictions, I helped their mission to educate our community by making e-posters about California and Monterey County’s native plants and wildlife. I was able to learn from my work and from my fellow service learner’s posters as well. Volunteering with RON has also furthered my passion for helping both my community and the environment.
Through RON’s Instagram page I was informed of an in-person volunteer opportunity with the Neighborhood Services Program in Salinas. I and many other volunteers came together to pull weeds, paint over graffiti, and clean up the community garden in Natividad Creek Park. Volunteering can benefit your community by bringing awareness and getting more people involved. It can also spark new interests, passions, and friendships along the way, while also feeling a strong sense of accomplishment from your actions. I first encountered RON years ago when I attended Marshall Elementary School in Fort Ord. In college, through CSUMB I was able to volunteer with them and now I am happy to say that I get to work with them this upcoming semester. I look forward to getting even more hands-on experience and hope to educate and inspire others to volunteer with RON!
Thanks so much Jasmin!
