Razi Aamar has volunteered throughout his life, so the Summer Volunteer Program at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital was the perfect fit.
Although Aamar helped by passing out toys with the Happy Cart, playing games in the Imagine Room and greeting new families, his main volunteer position was collecting wagons as a Ready Runner.
During a typical shift, Aamar scouted the parking lots and buildings for used wagons and wheelchairs. He collected them and took them to be sanitized and restocked. This role is important to the health and comfort of the patients at St. Jude.
Aamar says his favorite part of volunteering was interacting with St. Jude staff.
“I got a closer look at all the little pieces that have to come together to get the hospital to function. Everyone does their part for the kiddos,” he said. “They are always smiling and thank us for volunteering.”
Aamar said he wanted to volunteer at St. Jude to give back and hopes he made the day easier or better for patients and their families.
“St. Jude went beyond my expectations,” he said. “I felt as if I was part of the hospital the first moment I set foot on campus. Everyone here is family; the smiles you bring to those who are in need is worth more than anything imaginable.”
He has volunteered in locations from the United Kingdom to Washington, but said volunteering at St. Jude is what has helped him grow the most as a person.
Aamar will graduate from the University of Memphis in 2018 and will continue his volunteer work at St. Jude as a Ready Runner.