Care Force Chronicle- Kansas City, MO

T-Mobile volunteers moving soil
while building an outdoor classroom.

By Emily Kean

Partner: T-Mobile

Volunteers: 150

Service Partner: John T. Thornberry Boys and Girls Club

When: October 17 – 21, 2010

TCF: Phillip St. Clair, Emily Kean, Dan Nemiroff, Georgia Lawrence, Flo Capinding, Aundrea Dean, Dylan Morrill, Steadman Graves; Project Manager Huw McDonald

Our trip to Kansas City started at 6:30 am, when we boarded the plane from Boston to Missouri on Sunday, October 17. The advantage of arriving in Kansas City so early on Sunday was that we were all able to get ready for a powerful week of prep for this T-Mobile Huddle Up Event. This was the first time since our very first trip to Riverdale, IL in which everyone on Team Care Force was all serving together! 

Gymnasium: Before



We served at John T. Thornberry Boys and Girls Club which serves 400 youth a day on average. They provide a safe place for youth to come before and after school where they can complete homework, participate in recreational activities, and learn new skills. We had an AMAZING time getting to know the staff and youth at this Boys and Girls Club. They were very friendly and accommodating to us. Every day we were welcomed to the club with a smile and constantly had kids asking us what projects we were completing and thanking us for the work we were going to do.



Gymnaisum: After
Also Pictured: Panel murals to be
hung around the Center

 The week leading up to the event was spent sketching murals, priming walls, and cutting wood. Our prep work was on track if not ahead of schedule until we had to prime a 20 foot curvy plastic wall. The texture of the wall created a tricky situation because the primer was not adhering correctly. After a trial and error and many scrapers we finally found the primer that would work! This reminded our team that, when in doubt, always check a small part of the wall before painting the entire thing. Even after this set-back our team was able to pull together and finish the prep work required for the service day. Wil Holbrook, Care Force Deputy Director, joined us on Tuesday and even though we worked late the whole crew was able to enjoy the famous Arthur Bryant’s BBQ!

 

On Thursday, October 21, 150 T-Mobile volunteers came out to the Thornberry Boys and Girls Club to paint murals, build bookcases and cubbies, create a Huddle Up Zone, and construct an outdoor classroom. As always our T-Mobile volunteers arrived with enthusiasm and ready to transform the club! They had collected a ton of donations for their Huddle Up Zone and were excited to serve. Overall, the day was great. Club Director Larry Lewis, the staff, and youth were thrilled by the all the work that had been completed by the T-Mobile volunteers. During closing ceremony, Larry presented a club member card to every T-Mobile volunteer as well as to our entire Care Force team as a token of their appreciation. We are all now club members at the Thornberry Boys and Girls Club for life and every time I see that club card I will be reminded of the community we built there alongside T-Mobile. 

Wavy Wall: After

Wavy wall: Before