By Mathews Lopes.
Hi, my name is Mathews Lopes, and I come to you today to share with you some of my amazing experiences. But first let me tell you some things about myself. I am a 16-year-old young man out of Old Bridge that participates in varsity athletics like Football and Track. I also like to give back to people whenever I can. I have been involved in many different community service activities to give back to my community.
Community service does not only have a profound impact on our community, but the impact it has on the individual people is even greater. The concept of community service has always been something that I grew up with, and with me being older now I understand the importance of it for society. Community service is not just words, but an opportunity in life to contribute one’s time to helping others and making a difference in society; and thus, a better place to live for all. I remember firsthand watching my parents struggle to provide a good life for me, and it took a lot for them to just put food on the table for my sister and I. Through hard work my parents are now providing a very nice and comfortable life for me.
Rotary has been serving the humanity for the last 117 years. The Rotary club of Branchburg established in 1988 has been one of the leading Rotary club serving its community and communities around the world for the last 33 years.
Last week, the Rotary of Branchburg gave me a chance to volunteer to distribute fresh food and other items to needy community in Bound Brook. I had never heard of Rotary and through my parents contact, I was be able to do a community service. It was amazing to connect with so many people that had the same goal as me, which was simply to give back to the people that are less fortunate. I had opportunity to experience real “Altruism in Action.”
“I was moved to see how parents and children able to grab essential products for their families, seeing their faces light up lets me know that I want to do this for a very long time.”
Mathews Lopes, Old Bridge High School student.
It was also awesome to shadow people like Mr. Joe Horner, Bill Stabile and Dr. Tulsi R. Maharjan and see what it’s like to lead a group of special individuals and have them perform to their best capabilities in giving back to the people. I suddenly came to realize truly the Rotary’s motto “Service Above Self.” and Rotary’s various themes “
I look forward to continuing my work with the Rotary and Rotarians from Rotary district 7475, and I look forward to seeing what’s in store for the future!. Thank you for the opportunity to experience personally Rotary’s “Humanity in Motion.”
The Asha Project 