My journey with the UT Medical Reserve Corp began not too long after starting a new chapter of life in Austin! Being near family in the height of uncertain times was always an essential recipe for comfort. However, while settling my feet in new terrain I was eager to see evidence of community engagement and happily found peace reflecting on a gift born out hardworking and heart driven elements. These elements included astonishingly self-driven students, amazingly vibrant and resourceful community pioneers, and overwhelmingly nourishing UT faculty and staff working together to bring a sense of safety and care to their neighbors.
Coordinating volunteers with our COVID efforts exposed me to the best settings in this city, bringing smiles to nervous faces in elementary schools, renewed hope to families in their trusted spaces of worship, and enthusiasm to those who, at the end of day, just wanted to show their fellow Austinites that public health was their utmost priority. With this experience alongside me, I could lose my balance, but I could never lose the love and the commitment UTMRC volunteers awarded me! At this point, and in this very “foodie” city, I am well fed!”
We all continue with greatness so long as we remember who we are and how wonderful this city is as a result of the UTMRC’s important volunteer contributions: hours shared reaching the thousands (and growing!), volunteers active in every season, and memories that are for the record books!
