Et cetera : Oak 3 started in Vinton before working in SD

Oak 3 posing before they brought an ironclad bench to a Vinton baseball field.

Looking at the beauty that caused so much destruction in SD.

By Jamaal and Dulce, Oak 3

On March 12, 2012, multiple AmeriCorps NCCC teams left to do great things across the Midwest states—all except Oak 3; we still had work in Vinton to do. On the same day, we made our way to Vinton Parks and Recreation for our 3 day mini-service project. Brian, Dwayne and Allan (staff at Vinton Parks and Recreation) briefed us on how the center acquired the water slide and a gracious Vinton citizen donated the skating rink. While working with both Brian and Allan, not only did we learn the basics of painting and building a bench, but they treated us like a family.

One task we performed was beautifying the area by ripping weeds out from the flower beds. By our second day, Brian and Allan graciously allowed us to use the skating rink for our physical training. We were so excited to skate around until we wiped out. The next day, while we were working outside, we caught a glimpse of what an important part of the community the center played—watching many adorable senior couples dancing and celebrating St Patrick’s Day.

After finishing their three days in Vinton, Oak 3 next headed to South Dakota. After arriving in Sioux Falls in the darkness, we finally relaxed and meditated at a nice hotel as we needed a short timeout from an overwhelming but fulfilling experience in Vinton. Later, wearing “ready for summer” outfits, we embarked on a beautiful scene in Falls Park, where the river cascaded down unhurriedly, the wind breezed by, and the gulls sat on the rock. During our walk, people took a plenty of pictures that would be mesmerized by their relatives/loved one, and we played soccer and ultimate Frisbee for a short time.

In Pierre, South Dakota, in a very unusual 65 degrees, we rebuilt six homes over a week with a feeling of satisfaction by hanging drywall everywhere between walls and corners, and fixing the wiring. In addition, we worked with homeowners, and also with a small number of Presbyterian people, who drove here from Lenox, Iowa, for five days. We bonded with them as siblings, playing kickball (we lost, but don’t worry, we will have a rematch soon), and had a cookout full of buffalo/hamburgers, chips, and sodas before they back to Iowa.

The group reminded me of the quote I really love: “There are some people in life that make you laugh little louder, smile a little bigger, and live just a little bit better.” When this group of volunteers left, we learned something new about each other and it made our lives extraordinary as always. Carpe Diem!