By Michelle Schackman
VE Volunteer from Ohio, USA
It’s important to carry on the spirit of VE Global no matter where you go in life and not forget where you have been. I worked and lived at Domingo Savio from September 2006 – June 2007. I had always wanted to volunteer abroad and decided to go after graduating undergrad. I found VE due to my three requirements: I wanted to work with kids, I wanted to learn/better my Spanish, and I wanted to travel. VE allowed me to do this all and without an organizational fee to come, which helped my budget significantly.
When I left Santiago in June of 2007, I was enthused to continue to support VE Global by assisting the administration and by planning a fundraiser. Did I do this? No. Instead, other things took over. I moved back to Ohio from Chicago, worked 55+ hours a week, and applied to graduate school. After that, I completed two Master degrees in two years, had school internships, and a part time job that actually paid my bills. Finally, with a true 40 hour a week job as a Licensed Social Worker to work with, I could finally do something for VE and Domingo Savio.
My fundraiser took place on September 29th, 2011. I sent out letters to local businesses, restaurants and sports teams in the Columbus area and ended up with 14 donated items for a raffle. A wine tasting was planned to coincide with the raffle. Friends and family came out to support the cause at the wine tasting and others had bought raffle tickets beforehand. I also had general donations from friends and family that were unable to partake in the events. Grand total: $1,080 to split 50/50 between VE Global and Domingo Savio. For me, the most fulfilling part was telling my experience to my Columbus friends who I did not know at the time I left for Chile. Also, I learned it is never too late to hold a fundraiser.