February 2026

 February Service Hours: 6 hours

Cumulative for the Fall Semester: 6 hours


This month was overflowing with holiday cheer thanks to Valentine’s Day and Mardi Gras. I’m grateful I was able to make space for both celebration and community service. I continued my volunteer efforts at Second Harvest Food Bank, spending time packing boxes with essential food items for families who need extra support. What stood out to me the most this month was seeing how people came to give back to the community, it is a reminder of how much community matters especially during such a busy time. Seeing volunteers show up was endearing to see, there are many thoughtful people who regularly give back to the community. Listening to their stories is one of the joys of volunteering, meeting new people and hearing about their stories that surface naturally while volunteering together makes the experience more personal and inspires me to continue my community service past graduation. I have seen consistent kindness from the volunteers that show up. The saying that it only takes one to make the largest difference stands profoundly true. During Mardi Gras I was lucky enough to host my extended family and friends who came to visit. Introducing NOLA to fresh eyes is a reward in itself. Watching the city come together in celebration where everyone is just spreading joy is another reason that an involved community is so important and special. Despite my guests being new to the city they felt welcomed and left with future plans to visit again. Overall this month felt like the perfect balance of service and celebration, I felt even more connected to the city and community.


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