Tre Jones

By the time I arrived for my third shift at Rawls and Smith Hall, moving bins was second nature. With two full shifts under my belt this year, I was able to jump right in, anticipate what families required, and effortlessly direct them to their rooms. Being surrounded by familiar friends who had also been serving all week produced an infectious, happy environment across both buildings. Assisting incoming students throughout such a big milestone is an unforgettable experience. I simply like being able to help make that pivotal moment smoother and more inviting for each family I meet.

Returning to volunteer at the LLC on day two was an excellent way to round up the week. Because I already knew the protocol from yesterday, I was able to be much more efficient with my bin and assist keep the drop-off line moving swiftly. Seeing so many of my friends working the shift with me kept my enthusiasm up and made the physical labor enjoyable. What struck me today was how much I value being the friendly first face for new residents. Starting college is a huge life adjustment, and it's exciting to help students cross that threshold into maturity. I sincerely enjoy being able to serve and take some of the weight off their shoulders.

Serving during the Centennial Place move-in shift was a rewarding way to kick off the new academic year. My role involved loading bins at the drop-off zone in the parking lot and navigating them up to students' assigned rooms. Working alongside so many of my friends made the morning dynamic and fun, creating a shared sense of teamwork and community pride. Above all, it was rewarding to play a small part in such an important occasion for these incoming students. Moving into a residence hall represents the start of personal independence and growth, and being there to support them through that major life transition reminded me why I love giving back.

I improved my ability to identify various native plant species and communicate their specific environmental benefits to community members looking to enhance their local ecosystems. I learned that the local community has a significant interest in biodiversity and that the nature center plays a vital role in providing the resources necessary to maintain healthy, native plant populations in urban spaces. I connected with experienced local horticulturists and fellow volunteers who share a passion for environmental conservation, creating a network of peers I can look to for future ecological projects. My assistance with the plant sale helped generate essential funding for the nature center’s educational programs while directly promoting the organization's mission of environmental stewardship. I addressed the challenge of high visitor volume and specific technical questions about soil acidity by utilizing the provided reference guides and collaborating with senior staff to ensure every guest received accurate information.

Assisting with the logistical operations at the ReStore reinforced my interest in organized, community-based environmental efforts and highlighted how sustainable resource management can play a role in my long-term academic and professional journey. I learned that the ReStore acts as a crucial bridge for the community by diverting usable materials from landfills and providing affordable housing solutions through a circular economy model. Working as part of a volunteer team allowed us to process large donations and organize the warehouse floor much more effectively than working solo, which emphasized the value of collective effort in achieving organizational goals. My service supported Habitat for Humanity’s mission by helping generate the retail revenue necessary to fund local home-building projects for families in need of decent, affordable shelter. I overcame the challenge of organizing diverse, unsorted donations by quickly learning the store’s categorization system and coordinating with staff to ensure items were safely and logically displayed for customers.

Engaging with environmental management at the gardens reinforces my academic interests in biology and chemistry by demonstrating the practical importance of science communication in public spaces. I learned that the botanical garden serves as a vital urban ecosystem that requires meticulous, detail-oriented care to remain a resilient resource for local biodiversity and community education. Working as part of a team during the morning shift streamlined labor-intensive setup tasks and fostered a shared sense of purpose in maintaining the garden's standards. Supporting the Botanica Market directly contributes to the organization’s financial sustainability and conservation efforts by ensuring a high-quality experience for visitors and members. I overcame the challenge of unpredictable morning weather and fluctuating guest volumes by remaining flexible and maintaining constant communication with the shift leads.

This event definitely improved my teamwork skills overall. The service influenced my understanding of how something as simple as planting trees can have a significant impact on the environment. I was able to bond with many of my fellow orientation guides and learn a great deal about them. The service also connected us as a team because it allowed us to get a small grasp of some of our strengths and weaknesses. Even though it was cold outside, the event still went by smoothly because we all loved what we were doing and wanted to help. This event was a ten out of ten, and I hope to do something like it again soon!

This was my last move-in session this year. This experience allowed me to develop my adaptability skills. I learned how close the University of Memphis community can be during move-in. I encountered a diverse range of individuals, creating a sense of constant networking. I love to help people, so this event directly related to my overall goal of making people happy through service. The only challenge was that it was hot outside, but that is a breeze to overcome. Overall, move-in was excellent throughout the whole week.

This was the second move-in session I did on Tuesday. This experience allowed me to develop my adaptability skills. I learned how close the University of Memphis community can be during move-in. I encountered a diverse range of individuals, creating a sense of constant networking. I love to help people, so this event directly related to my overall goal of making people happy through service. The only challenge was that it was hot outside, but that is a breeze to overcome. Overall, move-in was excellent throughout the whole week.

Tuesday was a great move-in day too. This experience allowed me to develop my adaptability skills. I learned how close the University of Memphis community can be during move-in. I encountered a diverse range of individuals, creating a sense of constant networking. I love to help people, so this event directly related to my overall goal of making people happy through service. The only challenge was the heat, but it was easily overcome. Overall, move-in was excellent throughout the whole week.