Ogallala Commons encourages each intern to complete at least ten hours of community service each semester. As a Lubbock local, I have always been encouraged by family, friends and private scholastic institutions to have a certain amount of community outreach to form a well-rounded upbringing.
As an active member of Kappa Delta Sorority, I have a vested interest in Prevent Child Abuse America, the Children’s Advocacy Center of the South Plains, Girls Scouts of America, and the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU. This year Kappa Delta Sorority at Texas Tech Univeristy Zeta Alpha held the first annual ‘Freezin’ for a Reason’ Polar Bear Plunge 5k that benefitted Prevent Child Abuse America and the Childen’s Advocacy Center of the South Plains at Buffalo Springs Lake. 
I volunteered to make signs of encouragement for the 5k, attend other organizations meetings at Texas Tech University to present and promote our event, and hand out water to thirsty 5k participants while they made their way towards the finish line plunge. Every Christmas, our members have the choice of either donating a child’s toy for children in foster homes in and around Lubbock or donating basic bathroom and feminine necessities for the women’s shelter of Lubbock.
I am an elected officer for Tech Students for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) at Texas Tech University. My position as the senior public relations director allows me to promote this truly exceptional organization over social media, attend benefits and help raise money to support this cause. Court appointed special advocates help to give children a voice in court and a constant supporter as they are taken into the government custody (for one reason or another). I attended three different benefits to talk and answer questions about the Texas Tech organization and CASA in general. Every year Tech Student for CASA write holiday cards for the troops deployed and overseas so they feel a little closer to home. 
Tech Students for CASA also volunteered to help put on Tech or Treat this year. Tech or Treat is an event put on by the Tech Activities Board for a fun, safe Halloween for parents to take their kids for trick-or-treating fun. I was in charge of the Tech Students for CASA’s event, musical chairs (yes, I went as a leprechaun).
Giving back this semester has been an absolute blast. I have had the pleasure of trying new things (willingly plunging into freezing water) and meeting new people through Tech Students for CASA and the CASA network. I challenge anyone else to find their cause and actively support it! Thank you, Ogallala Commons, for pushing me to reach out to the community and experience new things!
