Volunteer Spotlight

We first met Brian at the City Gardening Project and he was kind enough to let us Spotlight him this week. Brian is a very busy guy - Read on to learn more about how he juggles school, work and volunteering with HandsOn!

Brian is currently a graduate student at The Ohio State University pursuing a Master’s degree in Business Administration as well as a Master’s Degree in Health Administration. When not in class he is at the OSU Medical Center where he works as an intern in the Planning and Business Development department. He is also a Delegate for the Council of Graduate Students at OSU and is currently working on a project that will aim to increase economic activity in Ohio.

How did you hear about HandsOn Central Ohio?

My friend and I decided we really wanted to find some community service to do this summer. She came across HandsOn Central Ohio’s website and it turned out to be a really great resource to find volunteer activities that interested us and fit into our schedules.

Which projects have you worked on?
I am new to Columbus and only recently discovered HandsOn Central Ohio. Therefore my only project through HandsOn Central Ohio so far has been city gardening with Four Seasons City Farm. It was a great experience, though, and I highly recommend to anyone that needs an excuse to get outdoors and meet some great people.

Which ones are you most interested in getting involved in?
I am actually really interested in continuing the city gardening project. City gardens are great community resources that offer ways for neighbors to create something together, access fresh produce, and make a little money through selling in the farmers’ markets. Too many Americans do not have access to fresh produce and city farms are a great way to revitalize a community and promote healthy living.

Aside from volunteering, how else do you spend your free time?

I’ve recently taken up reading as a hobby. Beyond that, I have only been in Columbus for a year and have yet to experience much of what the city has to offer. In the near future I hope to find time to go to a Columbus Clippers game and to the Columbus Zoo.

What advice would you give someone who is looking to get involved with one of our projects?

Don’t wait. Get on the HandsOn website today and find something that interests you. Some volunteer activities are not for everyone, but I do think everyone can find a volunteer activity that is right for them. It doesn’t matter if you have a lot or a little free time, if you prefer the indoors or the outdoors, if you are introverted or extraverted – there is always something nice that can be done for a stranger. And human beings are social creatures – we thrive on a sense of community – so while volunteering directly benefits others, you are really helping yourself along the way.