DARDENS ENLIGHTMENT CENTER

This is an organization that I have seen out in the community many times. I have heard of their name but I did not know of their work. I have always said to myself that one day I am going to stop by and see just what they had to offer and what they were really about.
I spoke to the Director of the center about volunteering some at the center. He mentioned to me that there were numerous volunteer opportunities If I were available. He gave me a schedule of the upcoming events and I chose to go on one where they took nutritious snacks around to needy homes in the community (on this day I was a chauperon). As far as I can tell these were senior citizen houses and houses that were located in income restricted areas of the town. I personally walked several of these kids to the doors myself. Upon opening the doors I could tell that these kids have done this before as many of the people greeted them with a hug and offered them words of encourgagement. It was obvious that these kids were doing something positive and this wasn't the first time. In all I would say that we went to about 75 - 80 houses for the day.
I enjoyed my volunteer opportunity and I intend to go back and do more.
The greastest part of this day for me was watching the effect on the kids of being able to give something away of value to someone else in need. It is obvious that the Darden Enlightment Center is meeting a community need.

I had a chance to stop by and visit this organization because I have heard of the good work and seen the television spots and read the articles in newspapers of their work being done there. When I walked in the door I became overwhelmed. This organization blew me away. Never have I seen so much be done with so little. These people have a passion for what they do. According to mgmt. no one gets paid there it is all volunteer work. That alone says something for them. On this particular day they had 136 youth on their sign in sheet at their center. At the moment they were finishing up with tutuorial lessons and getting ready for snack time. I could have stayed their the entire time but did not wish to hinder their work with the youth. Advice that I can give this organization is to seek some assistance with your mission because once the right people see the work that they doing and have done they will never have to worry about feeding the kids or paying the bills.