Senior Daniella Buedden is reaching out to the Newman community to bring her capstone project to life.
With the generous help of volunteers, Buedden hopes to provide a free babysitting event for families within the Wichita-Area Circles Network.
The free babysitting event will take place from 2-4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 16, at East Heights United Methodist Church. Approximately 12 to 15 children are expected to attend and will have the opportunity to play games, decorate cookies and receive a “goodie bag” of books, small school supplies and small toys.
Her project will benefit parents who often don’t have money to afford daycare for a special outing, help children have a fun, safe time and allow volunteers to help an organization with a worthy cause.
Buedden, who is a sociology and psychology double-major, has volunteered for Circles in the child-care room ever since she was a freshman at Newman. Buedden’s project works in conjunction with Circles’ mission, which is to “inspire and equip families and communities to thrive and end poverty.”
“As a volunteer, it is easy to think that what you are doing does not have a huge effect, especially if you are doing behind the scenes work,” she said. “I’ve always worked in the child-care room, but I never realized how much it helps the kids to see the same faces of volunteers who consistently come each week.”
Buedden explained that many of the families do not have the income to spend for going to special places or events.
She continued, “We form bonds with the kids that help give them extra role models in their lives and the ability to not worry about things for the two hours that they are with us.”
The idea for Buedden’s capstone project took shape over time, she said.
“I knew that I wanted my project to do something for the Circles families,” she said. “I have gotten to know many of them and Circles holds a special place in my heart. My goal is to create a fun experience for the kids, enabling them to bond with each other, while also allowing their parents to take some time to themselves.
“This project is important to me because it is the culmination of being an ASC Scholar for four years as well as something fun for my last year as a Circles volunteer,” she said. “The Circles program — and especially the families involved — have become incredibly important to me. I have bonded with them and I’m rooting for their success in the program and in the community. I love what Circles does for these families and I wanted to do something for them as well.”
Buedden will return home to Tulsa after graduation to pursue graduate school. She said it is bittersweet to be in her last year as a Wichita Circles volunteer but is thankful to give back to the same community that has taught her so much over the past few years.
“Volunteering each week at a consistent site has meant more to me since I am really getting to know the people I am volunteering for,” she said. “Volunteers are so important and there is a huge need.”
Interested in Volunteering?
To sign up or for more information, please contact Daniella Buedden at [email protected].
Volunteer information:
- Saturday, Sept. 16
- 1:45-4:15 p.m.
- East Heights United Methodist Church
- 4407 E. Douglas Ave.
