I always look forward to meeting the Governor’s Page assigned to the Department of Administration. These young people represent – consistently – the energy, enthusiasm and intellect necessary to ensure a bright future for our state.
To be honest, though, I never really knew much about what they do outside of performing helpful clerical tasks and meeting Division leaders here at DOA. Today, by taking off my jacket and rolling up my sleeves, I found out.
Through the United We Serve volunteerism campaign, I enjoyed a special opportunity to accompany nine Governor’s Pages from across our state at the Inter-Faith Food Shuttle in Raleigh. In a short hour and a half, we packed 100 backpacks with nutritional weekend meals for qualified schoolchildren; sorted and repacked hundreds of pounds of donated summer squash; checked donated bread for freshness and bundled countless loaves for delivery, and even scrubbed a mountain of plastic tubs and bins.
It sounds like a lot of work, but I think everyone there would agree that it also was fun. Pages shared stories about other volunteer and leadership activities in which they participate, and I got to hear about their plans for higher education and joining the workforce. As a career state employee, I encouraged them all to consider public service, since it is evident that they already understand the importance of doing their share to improve the public good.
If you need helping connecting with a volunteer organization that serves your community, please contact the Governor’s Commission on Volunteerism and Community Service (919-715-3470). Take it from me, you’ll be glad you got involved.
