Final Reflection for KCSP

My time with the Kentucky Center for Smoke Free Policy has come to a close with the semester.  Here are a few of my comments about how the semester with KCSP went,

Final Reflection

This semester had its ups and downs with my service learning experiences, but overall, volunteer work is always a great thing to do. I know that it is something I've always been involved in and will continue to do in my future life! Kentucky Center for smoke free policy

Final video reflection

Now the semester is coming to a close, I have reflected on my service learning organization volunteering. Enjoy!

Final reflection

It's been a busy few months, but the semester is finally coming to a close. I took some time to reflect on my work with the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy. 

Third Reflection with KCSP

Finally, things have turned around and my group members and I were able to complete some hands-on service hours.  November 19th was the Great American Smokeout which was essentially a smoke-free tailgate.  The morning began with handing out cards for the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free policy all around campus.  Next came the actual tailgate.  The tailgate was at a great location and had lots of interesting things to catch UK students’ eyes.  In the center there were tables set up that displayed information about the dangers of smoking.  There were also games and prizes you could win within the circle of tables. Another great part was the board that you could write a note on that was against smoking and in turn, you got a free t-shirt.  There was also plenty of chili and hot chocolate to go around, which I know many people definitely enjoyed.  Additionally, there was a s’mores table! This was where students could walk up, grab a premade bag of s’mores ingredients and roast their own marshmallow in order to make their s’mores.  I was lucky enough to work this table for almost the entirety of my time that day.  I have to say I think that was probably the most fun table at the tailgate because everyone was so amazed they could roast their own marshmallow.  While they were doing so, we were able to talk to them about trying to stop tobacco smoking and just about everyone we talked to admitted they had never smoked before!  At one point, some of the cheerleaders came and started talking on the microphone to people on their way to class which really lightened the mood.  Overall, the tobacco-free tailgate was a success.

These awesome s'mores packages were a hit and many took some to go.

Getting to see all that goes into the planning of these events and the volunteers and all they do was amazing and I wish we had gotten to do more events like the tobacco-free tailgate this semester.  I definitely feel that the tailgate helped raise awareness for smoke-free policy and was able to help discourage people from smoking.  I am excited to see what the KCSP has in store for the future.

These tables were informative and fun for all passers-by.

Finally Volunteering!

The s'mores booth

I finally got to volunteer for the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy! Just before Thanksgiving break was the Great American Smokeout- a national day set aside to encourage people to stop smoking. On the University of Kentucky's campus the Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy set up a huge party in front of the library, complete with s'mores, hot chocolate, and many other treats. I got up early on November 19th and went over to the nursing building to help set up for the day. I hauled some posters and other relevant knick-knacks out to the tailgate site, and then I helped set up tables and displays. In a span of about 45 minutes we transformed the walkway into a massive display all about the dangers of smoking. There were graphic displays with damaged organs in jars and a large bin where cigarettes could be thrown out. There were also tamer booths with games and anti-smoking pledges that could be signed. Once the event was set up, I was given  a large stack of cards with information about Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy as well as a coupon for a free drink. I spent the rest of my time walking around campus, handing out these cards and advertising for the event. I spoke to many people all over campus about the event and the hazards of smoking- even for nonsmokers. It felt so good to finally work with this organization!

Paul and I handing out cards

It was awesome to finally get some insight into how this organization serves the university and the greater community. Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy does so much good- by educating the community on the dangers of smoking, advocating for laws that protect the quality of air for all, and enforcing smoking bans- and I enjoyed getting to help spread the message. It was really rewarding to feel like I was doing something to help encourage people to stop smoking. It is such a problem, especially on this "smoke-free" campus. Unlike our earlier service this actually felt like we were making a difference, and it was awesome!








Want some more information about Kentucky Smoke-free Policy? Check out these great links:

Kentucky Center for Smoke-free Policy website: http://www.mc.uky.edu/TobaccoPolicy/KCSP/

Social Media:

Twitter and Facebook

This video is actually a positive one!! I have photos of the tailgate and a short video of a "crowd" that stopped by, it was definitely a lot of fun and I got to meet some really nice people.

third reflection

November came, and this was the month where I was able to volunteer for something fun, entertaining, and educational. I was able to inform people about smoking and the hazardous effects it has on them and other people. This was a tabling event where I was able to show statistics, visuals, and give them papers with various facts about smoking. It was outside before the Thanksgiving break, in front of the library where thousands of students walk by everyday. Even if the students didn't stop or just walked by, I feel that tabling outside had an effect on everyone because it just made them more aware of the cause that this organization stands for. There was corn-hole, group members were able to hand out drinks, people were able to come up and write motivational sayings or quotes that promote the stopping of smoking on the campus. It was awesome seeing the students just stop by, because it showed they were willing to learn more about the topic and what they could do to help the campus stay as smoke-free as possible. Students were able to learn about a variety of topics associated with smoking, specifically lung Cancer because November is Lung Cancer Awareness month. They were able to fully see and understand how the lungs will change from a healthy pinkish color to being black and making it hard for them to breathe. Students were also able to learn about e-cigarettes, secondhand smoking, and smoking hookah. Many students had misconceptions that these were less dangerous, but in fact they just harm your body in different ways. The activities for students to engage in were enjoyable, and this experience as a whole was pleasant. However, this seemed to be the only big event that this organization had for the group to partake in; that was interesting, to say the least.
  

Video Post 2

Info table 

Motivational quitting board

Tobacco trash can