Rickey Johnson

It was great, a group of 16 or so we're all in assembly line fashion, dishing and packing bags for the youth. It was great to have been apart of that.

I volunteered at the Downtown Greenway and Block Party, assigned at packet pickup station that helped register runners for the 1 mile and 4 mile. It was nice because I got to help runners get hyped, hand out packets, and informed them about the race. It was really cool seeing everyone excited to run. 10/10 would do again.

As part of Aggies For Asia, I had the opportunity to interact with the cats at the shelter, clean their cages, and provide them with food. It was a meaningful experience that allowed me to connect with the animals while learning more about their care. Spending time with the cats reminded me of the importance of compassion and doing everything you can to help animals since every one of them deserves a loving home. 10/10 recommend.

At the PTI 5k/10k on the Runway, I was tasked with helping a store, organize, and retrieve bags for runners before and after their run. It was great because I got to be outside and help work an efficient system that provided runners the peace of mind that their bag is in good hands. It taught perseverance (since the wind chill was -13 degrees) as well as teamwork, since I was working with 10 others. 10/10 will do again.

My experience at the Greensboro Fall Fest was incredibly rewarding, centered on my time manning the ping pong table, which quickly became a vibrant hub of community interaction. The greatest skill I honed was managing kids' personalities, learning to adapt quickly, whether I was dealing with a shy beginner or an intensely competitive player, all while ensuring the atmosphere remained a fun and playful environment for everyone involved. Beyond the game itself, this role facilitated genuine connection, allowing me to get to know members of the Greensboro community on a personal level and even make new friends among fellow volunteers and parents. This hands-on engagement underscored how simple, interactive activities are highly effective tools for building community spirit and strengthening local ties. 10/10 will do again, will recommend.

I volunteered after school to help elementary students explore creativity through hands-on activities like origami. What started as simply showing them how to fold paper quickly became something much more meaningful. I found myself guiding them not just through the steps of making cranes or flowers, but also helping them build patience, confidence, and pride in their work. 10/10 would recommend.

I had the opportunity to volunteer in my third Art in the Arboretum event as a greeter near the baseball field entrance. My task was to welcome visitors to the Arboretum, providing information and directional guidance when necessary, as well as keeping count of all the visitors who entered. It was great because I got to meet so many different people, see the excitement about the event from newcomers, as well as pet so many dogs. 10/10 will do again.

I volunteered with Greensboro Parks and Rec for the Downtown Greenway Run & Block Party, where I was a course monitor on the greenway. The opportunity was extremely enjoyable, as I primarily helped encourage runners to make it to the finish line. It was great seeing smiles on everyone's faces as they ran by, and seeing them gain newfound energy when I hyped them up. Great experience, 10/10 would recommend.