Reflection of the North Albany Homecoming Event

Our first Bonner Project, a day of volunteering at the North Albany Family Day, certainly merited some trepidation on behalf of Bonners young and old. It of course, didn't help that it was about four thousand degrees out on arguably the most humid day in recorded history. The show must go on however, and that it did.
We started by marching a parade down North Pearl Street to the American Legion for a barbecue. The parade was a rather short procession, but it was a lot of fun. Luckily I was there, because Tim needed reinforcements on the whole banner holding process, and our banner: New York-Europe connection was stable and fundamentally sound. The spirit that was contained within the parade, "I don't know but I've been told..." resonated through the neighborhood and I was pleased to notice that everyone was able to relax and have fun together. Screaming, "One, two, three, four... NUMBER ONE!" seems to do that to you. By the time we reached the Legion, I felt less as if this was pulling me away from all the really "important" things I had to do, but more drawing me into something that was really important.
Once we scattered effectively into our various tasks, (I had the amazing job of watching people apply Ketchup and Mustard to their hot dogs, and making sure those little tykes that needed help received it in a swift, effective manner), I felt that not only were we connecting with the community, and receiving a taste of what lies outside our comfortable gated bubble of Siena College, but we were also enjoying the company of one another.
I had the opportunity to get to know some of the freshmen, exchange mildly aggressive banter with Blake, watch Theresa interact so well with children and even see some faces that I recognized. The community's basketball coach ran a summer camp for the kids at Siena, where the basketball team would help with lessons during the day. Having lived the dream here at Siena over the summer, we became friends, and he told me that he "wasn't surprised to see me again, especially at something like this." To drive his point home, he probably ate five hot dogs, all of which brought him back to my station.
I am no stranger to Albany, Arbor Hill and North Albany areas, having spent the last 3 years living here, but I never ceased to be amazed at how much fun I have when I venture out of the comfy and familiar and just allow myself to get caught up with working with new people, laughing, joking and smiling *cue violin music*... The community really appreciated it and so did those who organized the homecoming event. Not only were we having fun, but we were being rained upon with thanks and praise for doing it. Somehow, this seemed like a way better idea than procrastinating homework, lazing around and going to brunch at Siena.
I may have internally grumbled at the thought in the beginning, but I was shown that this was not only fun, but it made me feel a million times better than if I hadn't gone.
I am looking forward to participating in more community projects with the Bonners.
Bonner LOVE.