ROBIN’S LOVE PACKS THE BAGS TAKE 2: MY 901 (Above right) Robin Hall (left) congratulates 1st place contest winner Mykayla James. (Left) MAP employees Mary Brooks and Marquis Robinson congratulate Runner Up Alex Benton. (Not pictured Syria Perry) . Pictures by Linda Jones - Story by Robin Hall and Dr. Yvonne D. Nelson Middle College High School (MCHS) 10th grader and Christian Brothers College dual enrollment student Robin Hall is an active member of Pleasant Chapel Baptist Church, a member of the softball and bowling teams at MCHS, Young Actors Guild - Memphis, Girl Scouts Troop #10305, and the Memphis Ambassadors Program (MAP). A few of her community service projects have included street canvassing to spread awareness, donating items to the Mid-South Regional Food Bank, providing free tutoring services after school, serving as a docent, packing and distributing diapers through the Sweet Cheek’s Diaper Ministry program and creating her own service-learning project, “Robin’s Love Packed the Bags.” “I was challenged to develop leadership skills and conidence when I joined the Memphis Ambassador’s Program,” said Hall speaking of the year-round development and enrichment program that serves between 400-500 youth across the City of Memphis. “Joining MAP gave me the motivation I needed to take action in my community.” Hall initially created her project to help 5th grade girls through a stipend she received through the MAP program. “I once read that ‘Service is the rent we pay for living,’ said Hall speaking of a Marian Wright Edelman quote. “Pack the Bags was an opportunity to donate nail polish, hand sanitizer, lotion, socks, purses, snacks, educational games, and basic care products to children who would appreciate them. When I received the opportunity to help package and distribute diapers to parents with babies in need from the Diaper Cheek Ministry, I saw another chance to give back to my community. It was an offer I couldn’t refuse.” Robin’s Love Pack the Bags Take 2: My 901 was a challenge Hall made to 5th grade students. “I want to hear your thoughts!” Hall's poster advertising the contest read. “What do you think about Memphis and how would you make it a better place for all people? Or, what do you want to be when you grow up? Does your community offer you the best chance you can get? How does this make you feel?” Children had until Friday, February 7, 2020, to write a one-to-three paragraph response to one of the two questions posed. The poster went on to say that winners would be announced at 10:30 am the following Friday, February 14th, and everyone would receive a special surprise and lunch from Little Ceasar’s Pizza on Robin. “After we ate lunch, everyone took turns discussing how growing up in Memphis affects them,” said Hall who told her junior classmates, “Your voice can be a powerful tool, especially when you take time to put your thoughts in writing irst.” 12
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