Lisa Chen Writ 340

 Although making the world a better place is definitely a daunting goal, I think each person can contribute to this by impacting their smaller community around them. As I've grown older, I've noticed that the most impactful organizations and relationships are those that target a local demographic, rather than having a really big goal of impacting the entire world. This is definitely because smaller organizations form more close and meaningful relationships where they're able to understand those they help as individuals rather than a homogenous group of people in need. In high school, my favorite organization that I volunteered for was called Treasure House. Treasure House looks like a secondhand thrift store from the outside, but it is much more than that. Treasure House specializes in providing second-hand items to the homeless for heavily discounted prices, even more than a Goodwill. Those in need receive a special voucher, where they are given designated time slots to sh...

  Favorite Christmas traditions With Halloween over and us being in the month of November, that can only mean one thing: it's Christmas time! Even though the holiday season doesn't officially start until Thanksgiving, I feel like the transition from October to November is the perfect time for Christmas decorations to begin coming out. One of my favorite traditions is definitely driving around neighborhoods and seeing all the houses lit up with these Christmas lights and decorations. It's so cool to see how each house can be decorated differently, but still feel so festive. I really like seeing the houses that "go all out" and have every inch of their yard covered in lights and moving reindeers.  Another one of my favorite things about Christmas is finding the perfect tree and then decorating it. I remember making new ornaments every year in art class when I was younger, so it's always humbling pulling out the ornament box again every year. I like how the colle...