As Vikram Dev Singh enters his Senior year at Oak Ridge High School, he is also marking his 6th year participating with Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference. He first started participating as a sixth grader at Rolling Hills Middle School, and has been involved steadily ever since! Read on to find out why he spends so much of his time with Hands4Hope, and what he feels he gets out of it.
What club, committees, and community engagement outreaches have you participated in?
I am currently the President of the Oak Ridge Hands4Hope Empower Club, but I have also participated in several committees. I am the Volunteer Manager of the School Supply Committee, as well as the Marketing Chair of this year's Fall Festival Committee. I am also looking to join other committees such as the Emergency Food Pantry Committee and the Winter Boutique Committee. In the past, I have also held leadership positions, being the Vice President of the Rolling Hills Hands4Hope Club in 7th and 8th grade. I have participated in many community engagement outreaches, but my recent favorites were the School Supply Committee Stuff the Bus event, as well as the 4th of July Freedom and Fireworks Kids Zone event. I have also been a regular volunteer of the White Rock Village Camp Mercy and Kids Zone events this summer.
How did you hear about Hands4Hope and what motivated you to join?
I first heard about Hands4Hope through school in 6th grade. It seemed like a fun opportunity to help people in need as well as make many new friends. I already had friends in the group, so I felt motivated to join and have fun volunteering with my friends. On top of that, my sister used to participate in Hands4Hope, which also motivated me to join the club and start volunteering. Since then, I have grown to love volunteering with the organization.
Think about what you’ve done with Hands4Hope so far: How have these experiences shaped you into the person you are today compared to when you first joined?
Through Hands4Hope I have learned to be a more kind, patient, and giving person. As a kid, I was always jumpy, and got frustrated very easily. However, through working with kids and others throughout my time at Hands4Hope, I have learned that being patient is always important in helping as much as you can. Working with children is hard sometimes, and Hands4Hope has taught me to be patient and giving in order to help these children with problems they are currently facing, and problems that they might face later in life. These experiences have helped me to grow and become a better person.
How has Hands4Hope helped you in school, with your friends and family, and in life?
Hands4Hope has helped me develop closer relationships with friends, and has also taught me the importance of time management. Through Hands4Hope, I have spent a lot of extra time with my friends, and this has helped bring me closer to them. The Hands4Hope experience is very good at fostering a safe environment for you to interact and become friends with your fellow volunteers, which I am very grateful for. The countless hours spent volunteering with my friends has really allowed me to understand and appreciate them more.
What has been your favorite memory so far with Hands4Hope?
Honestly, there are so many to choose from. My favorite memory so far with Hands4Hope came right after the 4th of July Freedom and Fireworks Kids Zone event. Since we were wrapped up with our long shift of volunteering, my friends Edreese and Leo and I got Chipotle. Right after we got our food, we went back to the volunteer area, and we sat and watched the fireworks together while we ate and relaxed after a long day. This memory means a lot to me because I felt really close to my friends. It felt less like volunteering and more like having fun and watching fireworks with some of my favorite people. This is not only one of my favorite Hands4Hope memories, but one of my favorite memories in general. For moments like these, I am forever grateful for Hands4Hope.
What would you tell someone who is considering joining Hands4Hope ? How do you see yourself being involved in the future?
Hands4Hope is one of the best organizations and groups of people you could ever get involved with. The perfect balance of finding friendship and family as well as being able to volunteer and help people is unmatched. If you’re considering joining Hands4Hope, I would 100% recommend you join. Though I’m graduating after this year, I still see myself volunteering and being involved in activities with Hands4Hope. I might be far away, but whenever I get a chance I will always come back and volunteer.
What other activities do you enjoy?
Outside of Hands4hope, I enjoy playing soccer and hanging out with my friends. I also enjoy playing video games and playing the clarinet in the Oak Ridge marching band.
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