Volunteering

by Ethan Samet-Marram

After finishing my second 1000 piece jigsaw puzzle, I was giddy to grab my book, gloves, and helmet to rush out the door. I had never felt safer biking Philly’s streets, and I gobbled as many fresh breaths as time allowed between parking the bike and entering the lab facility.

Security took my identification and pointed me toward the appropriate room; it was my first live conversation with a stranger in weeks!

I settled in for four hours, mostly sitting, occasionally placing newly donated PPE on the appropriate table and updating the inventory. Volunteering never felt so self-serving.