#9 Park Moment of 2009:

For the last two years, we’ve been fortunate enough to have bus loads of volunteers roll into the Park in late winter.  They’re teenagers and young adults who have elected to spend their spring break traveling the county with likeminded folks doing good stuff for others.  When Students Today Leaders Forever descends upon the Park, it’s quite a sight to behold.  We’ve had as many as 300 young people in matching t-shirts running around planting, picking, shoveling and singing.  Oh, yeah.  They sing.  One of the most impressive things about STLF is that all the kids involved seemingly spend their time cooped on the buses learning intricate chants and songs that they perform for us, en masse.  It is a treat for the eyes, ears and flower beds.

In 2009, our groups were comprised of college kids from across the country, and they helped us plant some of the first of the One Million Trees that we’ll be adding to the Park as part of the Master Plan.  We can't say enough kind things about this group.  They were hardworking, gracious, fun…their enthusiasm was contagious and inspiring.  Our volunteer coordinator, Sandee, was floating on a cloud all day.  We think we’re getting two more tours this March!

Big ups to the Greater Memphis Chamber and MPACT Memphis for sponsoring lunch for the groups and talking to them about opportunities for young professionals in Memphis.  The biggest kudos for the kids has gotta be Mayor Wharton complimenting their chants.  And your favorite blogger happened to have her facebook post featured in their hilarious promo video.  Fame is exhausting.

Youth of Today, consider this as you’re booking your spring break flight to Cancun.  At the volunteer day, no one got sunburned and everyone left feeling like they’d done something good for the world.

If you want to volunteer at Shelby Farms Park and avoid sunburn-induced poor decisions, get in touch with Sandee Daniels at sdaniels@shelbyfarmspark.org or (901) 767.PARKx302.