Nate Harmon, a member of ThinkGive’s Student Advisory Board (SAB), sat down with his friend George Yates, now a student at Colby College. The two graduated together from Concord-Carlisle High School and participated in a ThinkGive program during middle school.
Nate: What is your favorite experience from a ThinkGive action or lesson?
George: In sixth grade, I went to a nursing home in Concord during Easter, and we made cards for the residents. That was really cool because I got to connect with people in the nursing home, and I felt more bonded with the Concord community where we live. It was great to see everyone happy with smiles on their faces, interacting with the youth.
Nate: Would you say you went to that senior citizen home often prior to ThinkGive?
George: No, that was definitely because of ThinkGive. It pushed me to have that experience.
Nate: Do you think ThinkGive was beneficial to your middle school and coming-of-age experience?
George: I do. I was able to see more acts of kindness around me and give more kindness myself. That made me feel better about myself and more socially aware within the community. It made me feel more positive because I think it’s very easy to see the negative aspects of life, but when you really stop and look at the kindness that’s going on, it changes your perspective.
Nate: What lesson did you find the most challenging, and how do you think it changed you?
George: The most challenging one was the “gift to yourself,” which was the last challenge. It was the most challenging because I feel like it’s relatively easy to give to others—you can gauge their reactions and see how the kindness affects them. But it’s harder to give to yourself because it’s very easy to beat yourself down and not approach yourself with kindness.
Nate: What skills did ThinkGive help you develop the most during your experience?
George: I think I developed courage the most. It really allowed me to step out of my comfort zone and do things that I would normally be too afraid to do or that aren’t really normal things to do.
Nate: Did you notice any changes in your peers while you were participating in the program?
George: I did. After the program—or even during it—people were more open and more friendly. It felt like the community was growing during that time. Middle school is definitely a time when things can get pretty shaky. People are looking inward a lot, focusing on their own self-image, popularity, stuff like that. I remember one moment that really stood out: when I got pneumonia and was really sick, you picked up all my papers from school and delivered them. That was really helpful and a kind moment that I feel like strengthened our friendship.
Nate: How do you think your ThinkGive experience has shaped your lifestyle and habits?
George: I think that around the house, I’m more helpful than I was. I see what needs to get done and I do it. Recently, I’ve been helping my mom with gardening a lot, seeing what needs to get done outside in the springtime. I’ll take out the trash, the compost—noticing how my kindness and helpfulness can impact my parents’ lives and make it that much better.
