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Many times we take comfort for granted, but thanks to a summer mission trip as a Delta Sky Lounge volunteer I now know the true meaning of charity. When I first arrived at the Sky Lounge, the whole community was in disarray. Danishes and apples were scattered across the floor. The coffee airpot had not been changed for the past five hours. People were heaping their cocktail napkins into one trash can instead of using the one by Auntie Anne’s pretzels. It’s unbelievable how multiple years of neglect and corruption have left so many innocent people destitute. My first task was sanitizing the area for members to safely enjoy their wraps, sandwiches, and antipasto. Although this seems like a small task, it was important for Sky Lounge members to feel a sense of pride in their community. Otherwise, we’d be no different than a Sbarro’s Pizza. 

Overtime I built relationships with the community members, like a middle-aged man named Jeff. When I first met Jeff, he was slumped in the padded seating and looked famished, as if he had not been to a COVID safe “grab-n-go” buffet all year long. No one had been around to ask him if he’d like a hot towel or blanket for at least the past month. At first, we were strangers, but by the end of the trip Jeff was family. Although we live in such different places, were raised in different backgrounds, and have completely different understandings of “business-casual”, we both are part of one race—the human race. We even learned from each other as well. Jeff was adamant about showing me his love for this archaic system called a brokerage account and portfolio. I understood some of his ramblings which prompted me to show him my Robinhood app. He hissed me away, offended that I would ever stray from orthodox investing. However, as I was restocking the mini-fridge with White Claws, I peeped over Jeff’s shoulder to discover him on his own Robinhood account purchasing Dogecoin. I couldn’t help but feel overwhelmed with the joy.

One of the most challenging moments during the trip was building morale amongst the other volunteers. Often when it comes to servicing others, people tend to focus on other motives such as a livable wage or compensation for labor and time. Not me. I had to constantly remind my cohort about the joys of seeing the Sky Lounge members living the life they deserve. I’d rather be compensated with the smile I see on Janet’s face when she eats her hummus and crudités. My heart sings to the melody of Marvin’s loud humming of the Smooth Jazz tunes played over the speakers.  Happiness cannot be measured in dollars or overtime but rather knowing I’m leaving a community stronger than when I arrived.

Looking back on my mission trip, I’m grateful to create an impact on a group of people who needed a champion. Since my mission trip, I’ve created a TikTok vlog to illuminate the hardships of the Delta Sky Lounge community. My hope and aspiration is to give a voice to the many people who are too parched or uncomfortable to use their own. When you first meet the Delta Sky Lounge members, you could mistake them as vulnerable, helpless, and maybe even sleep deprived. However I discovered they are made up of so many other attributes: a pinch of compassion, a dash of resilience, and a hint of bourbon on their breath.