Volunteer at GIM Christmas Party
- Title of the activity: GIM Christmas Party
- Term of the activity: Fall 2023
- Name of sponsoring organization: Grace in Motion
- Details of the activity (e.g., where, when): The event took place on 12/16/23 in Teaneck, NJ. Grace in Motion is a non-profit organization started by members of Grace Community Chapel in Bergen County, and they work closely with the local town of Teaneck to serve those who are financially struggling. Part of their regular events includes the Christmas Party, where they provide holiday festivities to families who cannot financially afford gifts or activities.
- What you learned: I personally was in charge of running a games station, which was giant inflatable bowling. The kids loved it and I had a lot of fun interacting with them and giving their parents and guardians a break. While it was certainly tiring, it was worth the planning and time spent to see the joy and happy memories they made.
- How the activity relates to coursework or your career goals: Dentistry is definitely a profession where you are required to spend a lot of time with others, and this event gave me more confidence in my ability to interact with a variety of personalities. There were obstacles and sudden issues that required trouble shooting, but I enjoyed every aspect from planning with the team weeks in advance to the day of when I got to be there in person, and I am confident this flexibility will help me as a practicing dentist in the future under unexpected circumstances.