Hi Molly, avid readers, occasional ones, and most definitely, welcome to all of you newcomers!

Today has been perhaps one of the most tiring and yet most rewarding days I have had here at USC.  I've been talking a lot about volunteering and the many opportunities available to do so here with Community Service Programs (CSP) and Carolina Service Council (CSC), but today was perhaps the most special to me of all the events that I have participated in all year.  I think that it might have been even more special than the program that I planned last October with my committee.  Today was just quite an eye-opener, and it was really a great experience.

Have you guys heard that the state of SC is one of the lowest in ratings of education?  I have, and I've actually griped about this one...but man was I whining about the most trivial things about my high school.  My classmates and I used to complain about the lame early to late 1990's video that we used to watch in our classes.  We used to whine about taking notes because our teachers couldn't make copies because they didn't have a paper budget.  We complained and whine about being the last graduating senior class in the original Southside High School building, while the classes after us will be occupying the newly built one.

Well, have you guys ever heard of Dillon, South Carolina?  I've lived here in this state for almost 9 years, and I've never known about this area.  I never knew that an area in the US, where my family has had the great idea of the American Dream, could exist.

About a couple of years ago, CSP created a program called "Day for Dillon."  Dillon, South Carolina is one of the rural areas here in this state that has had lots of trouble within their education system.  Not enough resources, not enough buildings and spaces, not enough teachers, not enough time, pretty much not enough of anything.  USC students volunteer to attend this event, and on a first-come-first-served basis, 60 students ride on a bus to Dillon and watch the video titled Corridor of Shame to begin their journey that prooves to be quite the experience.

When we got to Dillon High School, we were greeted by faculty, staff, and students with some welcoming smiles.  They were so grateful we were there, and even though I had to wake up at 7:30 in the morning and ride a bus for almost 2 hours to get there only to work and clean for hours, I just knew it was the way I wanted to spend my Saturday.  Due to limited spaces in their facilities, they have had to convert their boy's locker/shower room into a book storage room.  It was a cramp space that had accumulated a lot of dust, and it also meant some pretty stinky boys after gym.  They finally made room, and that's what we ended up working on.  We cleaned rooms, set up shelves, organized books, and did all sorts of other stuff.  Another group went to a neighboring elementary school and painted because apparently the building needed it.

Besides doing back-breaking work, my favorite part was having lunch.  And no it wasn't because they served as fried chicken, mac-and-cheese, green beans, and chicken bog**.  Although the food they served us was great, lunch was probably my favorite part of the whole experience because I got to hang around some of the high school kids and talk to them.  They had so many questions about what college life is like.  Some had some awful and discouraging experiences and were not so determined about pursuing college anymore, but we talked.  We exchanged e-mail addresses, and I hope to keep in touch.  Maybe be their big sister.  (Okay, big lil sister as they were definitely at least a foot taller than I am.  Being taller than a 4'11 girl isn't too hard to pull off!)

The students made me feel inspired.  They made me feel good about serving their community.  They made my afternoon shower feel great because I knew that all that dust and dirt was work that they were going to benefit from.  There's nothing better than that warm and fuzzy feeling of goodness!

Well, I hope you guys are having a great Saturday.  Be pro-active and serve your community.  A true Gamecock doesn't just have garnet blood flowing through his/her vein...a true Gamecock has a heart of gold!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

**P.S.  It was my first time having chicken bog.  I've never even heard of it before.  Apparently it's a Southern thang!  I'll make a separate post some time to get you non-Southerners up to speed!

Posted by Kriska at 10:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

So as y'all may have already guessed from reading several of my past entries, I just love volunteering.  Whether it be working with some kids or the elderly, raking leaves in the yard or scrubbing down kitchens, whatever the tasks may be, volunteering is something I truly enjoy!  Being a part of the executive board of Carolina Service Council has really helped me to be connected with many different opportunities that USC students can participate in.

The Gamecock Connection's recent main article features what they believe are "Five Reasons to Give Back."  Here is what their list looks like:

Get Addicted to Giving: "engaging in good deeds can affect our sense of well-being."

Take Baby Steps: "recognize the importance of even small civic actions. If you're shy or unsure where you could best contribute, first consider on-campus sources."

Think Global, Act Local: "This 1970s phrase, coined by Hazel Henderson, still holds true."

Consider Off-Campus Projects: for when "the academic year is over or college is on break...support your "habit" and gain practical and beneficial knowledge"

What's In It for You?: "...you can benefit, personally, from donating your time to a cause. Volunteer work, social activism and service activities always offer valuable and practical hands-on experiences."

To read more about this article, register on the Gamecock Connection at www.gamecockconnection.org  Here is the direct link to the article once you've registered to the network: http://www.gamecockconnection.org/article/10757

So, what are MY reasons for volunteering?

Meeting new people: From volunteering in senior residence homes to afterschool centers, from food banks to home building sites, from cultural centers to even animal shelters...there are so many things to do and so many people of all walks of life to meet when you choose to volunteers.  It's a great way to make new friends, find passions to share, and have a great time.

Expanding horizons:  Every experience is a learning one, and with meeting new people and doing many different tasks, the number of things to learn are endless.  Like in the Gamecock Connection article, "practical and beneficial knowledge" can be learned from volunteering.

Being a good role model:  Mother Teresa, Michael Jordan, Gandhi, and Peyton Manning may have very little in common but I know of one for sure.  Whether it is because of their good nature or their athleticism, they are all role models to thousands, perhaps even millions, of people.  Every person has an idol that they look up to, why not be that person to others?   

Oh, and that bubbly feeling inside:  Oh, the goodness!  There's no better type of feeling good than the kind you feel when you've served others.  Many are skeptical about people doing good just for the sake of doing good and that many have ulterior motives, but don't be such pessimists!  Altruism does exist!

There are many great reasons to volunteer.  The benefits for those you serve, as also the benefits for yourself, are endless!  Consider serving your community if you haven't already.

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 11:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

While most of the nation went on a day off in honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., over 500 USC students came out today to volunteer and had a "day on."  As I like to always say about volunteer events here at USC, we Gamecocks truly have not just the garnet blood flowing through our veins, we also have hearts of gold!

This was the school's 11th Annual MLK, Jr. Day of Service, and as in previous years, hundreds of students came out to volunteer.  We had several local non-profits from the community that enlisted for the service day, ranging from Habitat for Humanity, to Homeworks, to Hope Worldwide, and many others.  I was the site leader for one of the groups since I am a part of the Carolina Service Council, and my group and I went to St. Lawrence's Place.

Here are some pictures of the day.  I thought y'all might enjoy 'em.  I certainly had a great time!

Jo was telling us what St. Lawrence Place was all about.  It's a local transitional home for the homeless, some broken families, and those who are in need of financial help.  We were freezing, just standing out there, but we were ready to get working.

Braving the cold weather, here are some people raking leaves. 

Some of the cottages needed some cleaning up so that new residents can occupy them.  We put some of the volunteers to work in there...scrub-a-dub-dub!

After all of the cleaning we did, it was time to play with the kids of the community.  They were so adorable!

Here's a volunteer finding time to strike a pose with one of the children.

Beverly, Shawn, and I strike a pose to represent the Filipino-American Student Association. 

This little girl just fell in love with one of our volunteers.  The little girl wouldn't leave her side! 

We played several rounds of Heads Up, Seven Up with the kids.  They got so excited so easily.  It was quite amusing!

The kids await the command...Heads Down!!!

The sisters of Delta Sigma Theta, some members of FASA, and some members of CSC...Happy Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day!!!

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 04:43 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

52 nails hammered in the planks.  Numerous trips of lugging lumber of all sizes.  Odds and ends of pieces of cropped and chopped wood in the dumpster.  Oh, what a glorious day spent at another Service Saturday.

This past week was National Homelessness Week, and I found no better way to end it than by serving at this month's Service Saturday, which was so rightly themed "Impacting Hunger and Homelessness."

Hundreds of volunteers had signed up for the event more than a month ago, and the turn out was quite impressive as usual.  Groups were divided mostly by the organizations with which they had registered to volunteer, and the Community Service Programs found four non-profit organizations that provided us all with sites to work in.  The four organizations that CSP partnered up with are Harvest Hope Food Bank, Salvation Army, St. Lawrence Place, and Habitat for Humanity.  Everyone who showed up were very much eager to volunteer, of course, and most everyone showed up as early as 10:15 am on a Saturday morning.  Most people would probably find this to be out of character for college students, but of course, Carolina students are no ordinary kids but extraordinary ones with much eagerness to serve their community! :-D

As part of the CSC Exec board, I got to help out in leading one of the sites.  I worked with about 50 other students at the Habitat for Humanity, and we mainly did final touches on the inside of the homes and preliminary work on the outside yards.  Some did the last touches on the paint jobs of the walls.  Others cleared the storage pods and helped the Habitat crew get organized.  Some were laying out the first stages of the driveways of several homes.  But the crew I was specifically on was making the final touches on the handicap ramp on one of the homes.  That's were the 52 hammered nails came in.  I pretty much counted every one of those suckers, and when one wouldn't go in, those around me could here me mutter, "Number 42, please freaking go in!"  Hahaha!  I wasn't trying to be psycho or anything.  I just found it a little bit more motivational! 

Once all six of us ladies in my group got the planks secured on the ramp to the side entrance of one of the homes, we had to clean up around the place and pick up all the scraps and extra pieces of lumber.  Clean-up of the entire neighborhood that we were working on took up most of the time, as soon as every group got done with their assigned tasks.  Clean-up was probably the most exhausting part of the entire day.  There was so much stuff everywhere--stacks of 2x12's, 2x6's, 2x4's and so much more.  There was so much to do, and at the end of the day, there was so much that the group really accomplished!  (Plus a blister each below both of my pinky fingers.  BATTLE SCARS!!!)

Well, I hope y'all had as productive a Saturday as I did (or at least a most relaxing one!)  At the end of the day, I did get to enjoy myself apart of course from the great inner satisfaction of serving others!  I watched the very close game of BC at Clemson, and boy, must I say I'm glad that our rival lost.  (Is that wrong that I just wrote that?!?  Hehehe!)

Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 11:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Oh, yes, the leaves have turned crisp red and have fallen.  And, yes, the grocery stores are running out of turkeys and "tofurkeys."  Thanksgiving is just right around the corner, but the season of Pilgrims and Native Indians aren't the only thing out in the air these days...the holiday season of snowflakes, pine trees, stockings, and Santa hats are in full swing! 

Bring on the diamond jewelers' commercials on TV, as well as all the electronic gadgets of the season.  Bring on the men in Santa suits at the malls.  Bring on the red bucket and the ringing bells of the Salvation Army.  Bring it all on because it's time to welcome the Christmakkuh season!

I just love the holidays, and it's perhaps my most favorite time of the year.  There's something about the cold, crisp air and the smell of that fresh-cut pine tree that just seem to bring everyone together.  It's like that fuzzy and warm feeling you just get inside of you!!!

And well, speaking of the warm fuzzies...Carolina Cares (one of the many programs of CSC) is one of many organizations here at Carolina that's making sure all of the students get to continue experiencing the Holiday spirit even if they are far from their homes.  I am so excited because Carolina Cares put together so many holiday activities, and I was so glad to be able to put two of my most favorite organizations together with my most favorite time of the year.  Basically, FASA decided that we would participate in the service events that CC is putting together for the holiday season.  So, during the last FASA social, all of the members brought toys, bubbles, books, coloring materials, and all sorts of other things to participate in the stocking stuffers.  CC is working with Salvation Army and have taken on the duty of promoting the Stocking Stuffer program here at Carolina.  FASA has "adopted" three stockings--a girl, a boy, and a unisex stocking!  FASA also decided to partake in the preparation for the big Annual Tree Lighting Ceremony held on the Horseshoe.  As an organization, we signed up to decorate four ornaments that will be hung on the tree.  I'm so excited, and I can't wait to look for our ornaments up on the tree once they put it all up.

Here are some pictures of the things we put together:

I hope the little girl enjoy her Barbie!!! 

Aren't these "hand-decorated" ornaments AWESOME?!? 

It just feels fabulous to be celebrating the good ol' holidays!  I just can't believe it is already here though.  Next thing you know, we'll be having to adjust to putting "2008" on everything.  My, how truly time flies by so fast!!!

Well, catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

P.S.  Let me know what y'all are doing for Thanksgiving!

Posted by Kriska at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

So, sorry guys for having deserted y'all for about a week.  Last week was so hectic that I had barely any down time for myself.  I don't know if y'all remember me talking about my Carolina Service Council Monthly Programs project for this month of October, but it was last Thursday.  It was so crazy.  I had a great committee that helped me pull the event together, but it still was just a lot of hard work.  I had to make runs to the grocery store and such to get things we needed for the Halloween Party for the kids in Hannah House, but I did get great support from the general members of CSC and didn't have to buy too many things.  There were several extra preparation that I had to take care of (like evalution forms, sign-in sheets, name tags, and such) which took up a good amount of time.  But not to sound like I'm complaining because I totally loved all of it...I love planning events like these, especially because volunteering is just such a great thing to do!  I just feel like I am getting more accomplished doing things for others than sitting around watching T.V.

So...The project turned out fabulous!  The kids there wer just completely adorable at Hannah House, and they were so excited to see us there.  From the lives they live, a little variation in the day and visitors to play with and get to know can really make their day a whole lot better.  We did face-painting, coloring projects, wood-painting, and many other things with the little ones.  Of course, we had tons of treats for them to DEVOUR!  What kind of Halloween party would not have tons and tons of sweets?!?  They especially enjoyed this candy called "Googly Eyes."  I didn't find them particularly appealing, so more googly eyes for the kids as I stayed away from them...hehehe!

Here is a picture of one of the kids being completely just goofy!  They were just some of the most amazingly awesome and loving kids!  I think I'm going to try and go back there some time again just to volunteer and hang out with the kids.  They're so cute!

I hope y'all find the time to enjoy the Halloween festivities, as also go out and volunteer!  Volunteering is great for so many reasons that really it would just take me another blog entry to go over all of its benefits!  :)

Well, I gotta go!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 03:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

After seeing the city of Columbia, I would have never guessed that a forest...yes, A REAL FOREST, is located only 10 minutes away from the campus!  This month's Service Saturday is all about the environment and the outdoors and is so aptly themed as "Enhancing the Great Outdoors."

A little blurb about the program of Service Saturday before I go on about my experience in the forest today... Service Saturday is just one of several volunteer programs of the Community Service Programs here at Carolina.  Once a month, a Saturday is chosen to serve a specific cause that the city of Columbia is in great need of volunteers.  The program starts with a check-in at about 10:45 am in the Russell House Patio.  Shortly thereafter, the day's schedule is announced, and the students are split up into their groups.  Buses transfer the students to the site where they will volunteer for half of the day.  A lunch is provided by the program, which is just one of the cool parts of Service Saturday by the way.  Of course, the great satisfaction of serving makes up the most of the "cool parts."  Many students from different groups, like University 101, sororities, fraternities, scholar groups, other organizations, participate in this program.  Up to 200 students usually show up, and it's just such a great way to serve others.

So...to today's forestry events!  I ended up in the Harbison State Forest just off of Broad River Road.  Our group worked with the "forest man" (I forgot his official title) and several members of the Friends of Harbison State Forest.  Our group was divided into three groups--one to hike a trail and pick up the trash along the way, another to hike to the creek and do some clearing and reinforcements, and the other to repair a main trail.  I was in the last group, where I found my little, itty bitty self hauling rocks the size of my head!  Yep, it was some back-breaking, manual labor out in the heat today!  But it was a lot of fun...sort of!  Hehehe!  I got to meet a lot of people and got to talk to them about their interests, their majors, their reasoning for volunteering, and about many other things.  I got to also get my work-out hours...something I've not done in about a year. Haha!  But in all seriousness, it was a great experience.  Volunteering always is!

In addition to that feeling of satisfaction from giving your time, it was just so nice to also get away from the city for a little bit and get back in touch with the outdoors.  It wasn't really the perfect day to be out there as it was so hot, but just being in the woods and in nature just really makes a lot of difference.

Well, as y'all can tell, I'm not really watching the game as I am blogging at the moment.  I was watching it, but I was starting to get annoyed.  My friends are still watching it in the room though, so I'm still hearing the play by play calls...just not watching it though...heh!  I still hope we can pull it through, but if not...I'm just hoping for a close game!

'Tis all for now folks!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 04:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Despite today's hot temperature that felt like was somewhere in the 100's, representatives from Carolina's nearly 300 student organizations came out on Greene Street in front of the Russell House today to show the student body what they all had to offer.  I was actually at one of the booths representing Carolina Service Council.  It was a pretty amazing turnout for a Student Organization Fair seeing as it was in the middle of the day with the sun just beating down our backs.  It was H-O-T!  It was a lot of fun, however, as I got to share with my fellow students what CSC is all about!

I think I've blogged a couple of times about CSC but only in reference to the application and interview process I went through to become a part of the Executive Board.  Let me take this time now to give y'all the inside scoop on what really CSC is all about!

Basically, Gamecocks have hearts of gold, and boy, do we love to serve others!  From Service Saturdays to MLK Service Day to University 101 service hours, most students get involved in one way or another in volunteering.  With such eager Carolinians and so many ways to get involved both on and off campus, it can get pretty overwhelming, and basically it is Carolina Service Council's main objective to make sure that volunteer opportunities are easily accessible and that everyone finds a project that they can join. 

There are several ways to get involved with CSC.  Firstly, one can apply towards the end of the spring semester to be a part of the Executive Board.  Officers and directors are carefully selected before the summer begins, and then they take office in the following academic year.  As part of the executive board, their main role is to be committee chairs of the several projects that the group is responsible in creating.  Secondly, one can become a part of the actual service council and work in the committees with the directors.  People who love to not only put in hours of actual service but would also enjoy getting involved in planning the service events usually become members of the council.  Students can share their ideas and really get into the great details of planning events like the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, wherein hundreds and hundreds of students gave up their Saturday and were sent to several volunteer sites.  Lastly, anyone can basically join...we love everyone!  Hehe!  Those who just love to volunteer but are not necessarily interested or have the time to join a committee can just come out to join us during the events and volunteer!

Well, I hope y'all are out there getting involved!  Volunteering is just amazing.  You don't even know it, but you get so much more out of the experience than you even actually really put in!  Get involved and catch y'all later on the flipside, Gamecocks!

P.S.  I got tickets to the LA-Lafayette game, and boy, I can't wait!

Posted by Kriska at 07:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

I can't wait for next year's RFL!  We had sooooo much fun.  Raising money, playing football, seeing our guys dress up us ladies, all of it...staying up for 12 hours while having no had much sleep at all the entire week due to tests and exams was totally worth it!  I hope that you future Gamecocks will consider joining in the great RFL event next year when y'all get here in Carolina turf!

Well tis all for now again, my future Gamecocks.  If there is anything y'all would like for me to address and talk about especially for seniors whose last year of high school is winding down, then just leave me a comment and let me know what you'd like for me to talk about.  Catch y'all later on the flipside, future Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 07:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Despite the exhaustion, fatigue, and soreness, this weekend has been climbing its way to be the number one weekend I've had thus far during my freshman year!  It's been such an incredible weekend that I don't even know where exactly I should begin to write and tell ya'll about it!  Sigh!

Well, as many of you have been keeping up with my Blog probably knew, this past Friday/Saturday was the Relay For Life at USC.  I could barely focus on my two classes Friday morning because I was just way too excited for the event and too preoccupied with making list after list of things to do.  With so many things still needing to get done, everyone was frantically running around all day Friday.  Everyone had their own last minute preparations that they wanted to get finished.  Shawn, Beverly, Cynson, and I worked on banners for the event.  Megan ran a couple of errands for things we needed for our on-site fundraisers.  Then, after our own little duties were done, it was a mad dash for each of us around all of our dorm rooms, packing all of the food, drinks, clothes, games, cameras, etc...all of the goodies we wanted for the night!

My impression of Relay for Life at USC would have to be that it is just as great if not better as I remembered my first RFL experience to be back at Greenville.  Even with such a small team, my friends and I of the Fab Five and Co. did an amazing job at fundraising and raised probably about $1700.  That is only my estimate, however.  We will find out exactly how we did on Tuesday at the final RFL meeting for the year.

Many different student organizations and small groups of friends like with the group I was in had done so much work and put together a great little carnival.  There were snowcones, candied apple, cotton candy, pie-eating contests, bake sales, random games for prizes, and a gazillion other fun stuff!  There were so many different activities and games to help keep us all awake for the entire 12-hour duration of the RFL event reminding us all that unfortunately cancer does not sleep.

Fab Five and Co. participated in practically all of the games that the different clubs had.  We played flag football despite the fact that we probably had not only the smallest people but the most players to not know how to play the game.  We were definitely the underdogs!  Unfortunately, we did not win, but I was told that I was quite the beastly, hardcore player on the field as also a great entertainer with my awesomely intimidating faces!  We also did the trivia game, the scavenger hunt, and participated on the side to the newlywed game.  We didn't exactly go up on stage for the game, we just stayed at our tent and answered the questions.  Shawn and I lost to my friends because Shawn did not know what my shoe size is!  Geez!  Hehehe!  But my most favorite activity that we joined in, however, would have to probably be the Ms. Relay For Life Pageant.  The boys in our group were such troopers and dressed up in our girly clothes!  They looked pretty tacky, however, as the only clothes that would fit them were big, unmatched pairs of clothing that my friend Beverly and her roommate owned!  I will have to post pictures later!

There's so much more to say about RFL and I also haven't even begun to talk about the other part of what made this weekend awesome--Shawn's parents' visit and the Spring game!--but I have to say that I need to cut this blog for now.  The only reason I'm even up at this hour is because I just finished a 3-hour nap that was preceded by a 4-hour nap--only broken for a quick dinner!  My body is just physically exhausted, so I'll just have to give a Part II update of this weekend perhaps tomorrow.  Contingent, of course, with me finishing all of my homework.  If not, I will have to get y'all caught up on Monday!  (Sorry if I barely blogged last week.  The preparations for RFL along with my classes and other activities that FASA and CSC were doing throughout the week was almost too overwhelming to deal with that I never really had time to write!  I'll definitely get y'all caught up by the end of this week.)

So, this shall be it for now my dear fellow Carolina lovers!  I will talk to y'all and catch y'all later on the flipside, future Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 01:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

You are now looking at...errr...reading the blog of 2007-2008 USC's Carolina Service Council's Director of Monthly Programs!

Yep!  I interviewed yesterday after my Chemistry class at the Russell House Student Organization Office.  There were about four current executive board officers doing the interviews for the upcoming year's new executive board.  They were really nice, and the interview went fantastic!  It was pretty general.  Then, they called me later on in the day yesterday to let me know that I did get a position on the board for next year.  I'm totally excited!

I love getting involved with anything and everything, and even better, I love getting into volunteering and service!  I was actually kind of nervous about applying for the executive board because I knew I had leadership positions down like anything else from high school, but besides being a part of the Maxcy College Government, I haven't really held any other leadership position here at USC.  I was worried that you would need to have pretty good background experience of service on campus, but that was not the case at all.  Everyone had equal opportunities, straight up!  I love that about USC and its organizations.  Everyone is fair game.  I think that's one of the main points I shared with prospective scholars last week.  Whether you're experienced, fully qualified, or not at all, there will always, most certainly be a club, a team, or an organization that will take you in.  USC's the perfect place to continue to hone your skills and develop old hobbies you've already had in past years as well as the perfect place to start something new.  It's the place to find out what exactly you are capable of doing, and not just in the realm you already know and love but in places and things you would never quite expect!

Well, dear future Gamecocks, it's a Saturday morning.  It's looking like it's going to be quite a fair day.  So, I'm going to end this blog on this fair note.  I perhaps might go outside and enjoy the day myself.  So y'all go out and enjoy yourselves, too.  The weekend's only here for a little while...as Monday's always right around the corner (but we shall not worry about that thought for now!) 

Catch y'all later on the flipside, future Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 09:28 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

During my last year of high school, one of the biggest highlights of the year was participating in the Relay for Life in Greenville. My classmates and I raised money for the American Cancer Society, and our group actually ranked as one of the groups who raised the most money. We were also the most "krunked" participants there representing our ghettolicious, Southside High School! It was much great fun!  12 hours of line dancing, football, soccer, and raising lots of money for such a great cause!

*Me and my two high school best friends.  Group picture with some of the Southsiders, and yes, our German exchange student dressed as a drag queen to walk around the track and raise funds--there were about 6 "drag queens" at the relay!*

I loved the experience so much that I wanted to continue on this year and make it a tradition for myself. This will be my second year joining Relay for Life only this time it will be here at USC in Columbia and not only will I be a team member but I get to be a team captain.  Team Fab Five & Co. are at it again, and this time we're doing good for the community!!!

It was unfortunate that my friends and I didn't hear about USC hosting their own RFL until about a couple of days ago, which means we only have one month left to raise funds. But nevertheless we are hopeful in raising a lot of money and helping out with our best foot forward!  In only a matter of three days, we have already raised $200.  We're about 29% our way to our goal of $700.  Personally, I've had to increase my own personal goal because my friends have been so generous, and I reached my $100-goal in only two days!!!  In the online ranking of teams, we have made it to number 5 in just three days!!!  We're very much excited and cannot wait to go home for Spring break to ask our families and friends to help us get to our goal sooner.

I looooove Relay For Life so much.  With so many people affected by cancer, it's awesome to have such a great event support such a great cause.  I only hope that more and more people would find out about events such as this and join and support them.  If you'd like to visit my donation page and help my group, click on the link: http://www.acsevents.org/usc/krissyka

It's a part of Gamecock life here ya know...being helpful and giving.  Service is a big deal here at Carolina, and I'm so glad to be a part of something like it.  Hope y'all are enjoying your week...the weekend is rolling by pretty quickly!  Catch y'all later on the flipside, future Gamecocks!

Posted by Kriska at 10:15 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)