Danielle Sharpe, an undergraduate student in the School of History, Technology, and Society is passionate about her city and community. An active volunteer with the Atlanta Harm Reduction Coalition, a partner of the Westside Communities Alliance (WCA), she reflects on the opportunity to volunteer for the 23rd Annual Hands On Atlanta Day on October 5.

Last Saturday, a group of Georgia Tech students and I journeyed over to the Bellwood Boys and Girls Club to volunteer at the opening event for Hands On Atlanta Day. Student volunteers represented multiple organizations, including the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts, Black Graduate Student Association, WCA, and Circle K. We all worked hand in hand to give more life to an already vibrant boys and girls club.

Many of the projects reminded us of our carefree days as elementary students, which was long before we all accepted the challenge to become Georgia Tech students. From painting murals and cornhole platforms to revamping the playground areas and building reading lofts, volunteering at the Bellwood Boys and Girls Club was very much like a morning full of arts and crafts. We even got to decorate birdhouses!

Beyond being able to show our creative prowess, we got a chance to develop a deeper understanding of our service. The volunteer event was organized and funded primarily by Ivan Allen IV (pictured above with staff), grandson of Mayor Ivan Allen, Jr. The namesake of the Ivan Allen College of Liberal Arts left a legacy of social courage for racial progression in a major southern city. Seeing Ivan IV live his grandfather’s visions was very moving, and it was even more special knowing that we were a part of his grandfather’s vision too.

We are very appreciative of Ivan Allen IV, the Ivan Allen College, WCA, The Salvation Army Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Atlanta, and Hands On Atlanta for organizing such an enjoyable and insightful event. I think it is wonderful and necessary that the Ivan Allen College and WCA are taking the initiative to serve our neighbors, communities in the Westside. This volunteering event allowed my peers and me to see that it is important to give back to our communities, especially those to which we are historically linked. If you want to walk, live, and breathe the Tech motto of “Progress and Service,” you’re at Georgia Tech. You can do that!