Volleyball Run

Hi, I'm Addie and I'm one of the student leaders for Lesley Delivers, and I'm going to share with you my experience with Lesley Delivers this evening...

Tonight we were joined by the women's volleyball team for our sandwich run! We were really excited to be able to share Lesley Delivers with some new faces. The 9 of us split into two groups and at first we had very different trips. My group headed past Au Bon Pain, but we didn't see a single person. I am always so very torn in situations like this- I want to share the experience of Lesley Delivers with new people, and that definitely involves meeting some of the people we usually see; however, I can't help but hope that if I didn't see them tonight, maybe it's because they had a bed to sleep in somewhere.

While we weren't seeing anyone, we were having some great conversations about some of the innate inequalities and unfair aspects of our lives, and especially life in Cambridge. That's when I felt my phone vibrating in my pocket. Like a good Lesley Delivers participant (and especially student leader) I was not going to look at it, but something told me to just take a glance. It was Jillian, one of the co-presidents, who was leading the other group. While we don't usually use our phones, this was important because the other group had run into so many people that they were already out of sandwiches, and wanted us to bring any extras that we had.

We headed back to Harvard Square armed with plenty of leftover sandwiches. When we got to the Tannery there were literally 15 people at the bottom of the stairs. Some of them were quite gracious and took sandwiches eagerly, but others were asking for blankets and some other things that we obviously didn't have. As always these situations are difficult for me, I want to take off my own coat and give it to them, or run home and get a blanket, or at the very least had them a $20 bill. But my many experiences with Lesley Delivers have taught me the value of what we are doing- handing out sandwiches. It's not everything, but it's enough that even if I can't give these people everything they ask for, everything they need, or even everything they deserve, I still walk away feeling fulfilled. Well, as fulfilled as possible when there are still people living on the streets.

Anyway, those are my thoughts after tonight's run. I really can't thank the volleyball team enough for their sensitivity and enthusiasm. They asked tons of great questions and I hope I really do see the faces of the people who said they would be back on future trips!

Can't wait for next Tuesday!

Beginning of the Second Semester!

Tonight was our first Lesley Delivers run of the second semester! Because of the snow there were only four of us, however it was still a good run and every little bit helps. Because it was cold we debated whether or not we would see anyone out, we even hoped that we wouldn’t. But we did, and they were all very grateful to be getting a little food that might give them a little warmth. We talked to a man who a lot of us have become familiar with and he told us that he and his wife had been talking about us. They would have conversations about when they thought we would be coming back from break and when they would get to talk to us again. This brought the impact we were making, even if on two people, to light a little for us. Once we did a lap around Harvard Square we gave our extra sandwiches to those we had seen so that they had some more and left a few in a semi-dry spot. As we were walking back we started talking about giving. It seemed that we had all been in some sort of situation where the people we had given to (food, time, etc.) wanted to give back to us. Whether it was a man you had given food to offering you a slice of a free pizza he was given, or a little girl giving a well loved stuffed toy to you because you spent time with her – our question was do you take it? Our answer was this: These people want to give back to you for all that you have done for them, they give what they can. What they don’t understand is that the whole time you have been with them, they have given you so much. They have given you hope and taught you things you maybe hadn’t known before. They made you think about what you would do and what you could to. They give you a smile and the truth. So because they don’t know they have given you all these things, they try to give you something that they can manage. We answered that you should take it, because this way they know that they have given you something. And maybe when they go to sleep that night, they can reflect on what they have done. Maybe even write it down – like we do.

Prince William Sleeping On The Streets For A Night

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/eu_britain_prince_william

Last Run of the Semester

A few weeks ago was the last Lesley Delivers run of the semester. This run was special because not only did we hand out bagged dinner, but we also went out with coats, blankets, and other winter accessories. These were all donated by people during out winter coat and accessory drive, and some of the blankets were donated by Lesley University’s Campus Activity Board. We didn’t see that many people out because of how cold it was. We talked about how that could be a good thing because the people we have become used to seeing may have found a warm place to sleep. We were able to leave the warm things in places that would only be found by those who were in need and looking for warmth. It felt good to know (even if we couldn’t personally hand coats out) that they were going to someone who needed them. It is important not only at this time of the year to think about warmth, giving, and caring. Treat every day, it doesn’t matter what season, as though it is the holidays. Give a little extra, show people that you care a little more than you normally would. You never know what is around the next corner, what the next day could bring. You never know when you could need some help, even if it ‘s just a smile, to get you through.
We hope everyone has a wonderful holiday season and a happy new year!

Selflessness

Tonight we went on our last sandwich run before Thanksgiving break; we had 6 people come out and we made 24 bag dinners. It was the first night that it was truly cold out, so it wasn’t surprising that there weren’t a lot of people out to give the bags to. The people we did see were grateful and thanked us with what have become familiar smiles and words.
Within the group of people that came there were a lot of people who had come to Lesley Delivers before, some of them have been nervous on their first few times about going up to people and asking them if they wanted food. Tonight I saw a few who hung back before step up and want to do it. It proves that it is not only the people receiving the food that are receiving something, but the people who give as well.
There were three people in a place that we normally stop that one group gave some dinners to, and then on the way back the other group stopped by. At this point the number had grown to six people laying there so, having extra sandwiches, they offered to the people who just got there and the people who were already there. One of the men who was just settling down was very sweet and shy, but talked to us about what we were doing and how cold it was. When we asked him if he wanted a bag, he made sure that we gave one to everyone else before he took one – even though some people there already had two. There were a few that he referred to by their first names and acted like he was close to them. Sometimes we feel the need to be selfless in the face of difficulty. Sometimes we focus so much on the people we care about that we forget ourselves. We forget our basic needs because to us, our friends and family are all that we really do need.

Warmth

Last night Row House came out with us for the run. We had 20 people came out and made 26 bagged dinners. The past few runs we have had a great selection of food to put in the bags because of the donations from the peanut butter and jelly drive. While on the run a group came across a man that we normally see every time. Usually he is with his wife, but last night he was alone. He began to talk with the group about what Lesley Delivers does. He told us that most people out in Harvard Square who are sleeping outside need blankets and asked us if that is something we do. He told us that he usually spends the money he gets on the street on blankets for the other people he sees. This man is truly an inspiration to us. Even though he and his wife are in the same position, he wants to try and better the lives of others.
This is a perfect time to mention that Lesley Deliver and the Lesley University Softball team are sponsoring our 2nd Annual Winter Coat and Accessories Drive. We are looking for an old coats, sweaters/ sweatshirts, blankets, scarves, hats, and gloves that are in good condition to donate to local Cambridge shelters.
If we can learn anything from the man we met last night, it is that helping other stay warm (and helping others in general) can also help you and warm your heart – sometimes that’s the only thing you need to keep warm.

Interest

Lesley Delivers and the Class of 2011 paired up last week to do a sandwich run. We had 14 people come out and made 21 bags of food. We saw a lot of people out, which very well could have been because of the weather. We saw the two men who are usually up on the stairs again, but this time was different from the past few times. This time, when some of us went up the stairs they came out from underneath their tarps and blankets and talked with us. It was a happy moment to know that we had made yet another connection and we were able to talk to them about what we do.
We are really glad that more groups and dorms on campus are becoming interested in Lesley Delivers. Collaborating with these groups helps raise awareness and brings people closer together.
We had our first Peanut Butter and Jelly Drive last week, and so many people donated! We received 18 jars of peanut butter and 15 jars of jelly along with many other things to make the runs better. We want to thank everyone for their kindness!