Outreach Love

Caroline Markerson can be found on a Friday morning amidst oodles of brown paper bags; she fills them up, one by one, with school lunch necessities. Children are able to experience the happiness that comes with discovering a delicious lunch in the middle of a long day. All is part of her contribution to Outreach Love through NSSHLA at UCF. Each week she picks up the donations accumulated, sorts through an array of snacks, and invests time into her labor of love. Despite the accumulation of homework, hours at work, or whatever life has hurled at her, her dedication to the cause never dwindles. 

Q: Give me a brief summary of NSSHLA and its relation to your major. What is the group’s goals/purpose?
A: NSSLHA is the National Student Speech Language and Hearing Association. UCF has one of the largest chapters with over 200 active members. NSSLHA is the only association centered around Communication Sciences and Disorders. We focus on speech language pathology and audiology. Part of NSSLHA is about giving back to the community; we work with different organizations such as Outreach Love, CECO, the Spinal Bifida Association, and participate in many walks such as the Walk to Defeat ALS, the Step Up for Down Syndrome Walk, the Walk Now for Autism Speaks, and many more.
 
Q: What are your typical duties as VP of Internal Affairs?
A: As the vice president of Internal Affairs I help with Socials, fundraising events, walks, and working with Outreach Love.
 
Q: Who came up with the idea for Outreach Love? How did you all get involved with this?
A: Outreach Love is an organization that helps tutor and mentor many underprivileged children in downtown Orlando. Our former NSSLHA secretary started working with Outreach Love as a volunteer. She noticed many students were being brought to Outreach Love without lunches on Saturdays. She then learned that most of these children were on free or reduced lunch at school. She took it upon herself to start involving NSSLHA and make lunches once a week. After going to the Outreach Love center this year I learned why it was so near and dear to her heart, and I decided to continue on with all of her hard work and dedication.
 
Q: How long is this going to be going on for?
A: I plan on working with Outreach Love for the rest of the 2011/2012 school year and hopefully next school year as well!
 
Q:  Other upcoming events?
A: My next venture will be for the Walk to defeat ALS. I headed the UCF NSSLHA team last year where we raised over $500 in a short amount of time. ALS is a nerve degenerative disease that eats away at all of your motor functions. You are still intellectually the same but you loose your ability to walk, speak, and function altogether.

Q: How has getting involved with NSSHLA affected you?  
A: NSSLHA has made me realize how extremely blessed I am with all of the philanthropy we do. I have been able to meet so many amazing people (including Sean VanGerena who suffered 3 strokes and is a TBI survivor who is now representing team USA in the world triathlon!) and it has helped me to network within my career field.

Q: Favorite part of being VP of Internal Affairs?
A: My favorite part of being VP of Internal Affairs is planning events and getting to know my fellow Com Dis students.

Q: How can others on campus get involved with NSSHLA?
A: Anyone can become involved with NSSLHA! We post all of our events and opportunities on Facebook under UCF NSSLHA. 
 
Fun Facts about Caroline: I never miss a tailgate! My favorite quote is “ Life isn’t about waiting for the storm to pass, it’s about learning to dance in the rain.”

A piece of advice from Caroline: Get involved! You only live once – make it count :)