Point of View - By Marcus Buggs

Nov. 16, 2007

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By Football Student-Athlete Marcus Buggs

Editor’s Note: Each month “Commodore Nation” will ask a varsity athlete to sound off on a point of personal interest. A native of Madison, Tenn., Buggs is a senior linebacker on the Vanderbilt football team. He led the team with 10.5 tackles for loss in 2006.

During the Spring of 2007, I worked at the Campus for Human Development for my internship class. This is an organization aimed at aiding the homeless of Nashville and its surrounding areas. On a daily basis, I would help individuals gain access to such necessities as food, clothing and transportation, amongst other things. I also helped with the alcohol and drug education courses at the Campus.

While working at the Campus, I learned many life lessons. I would say the most important thing I learned there was that homelessness and hardships can happen to anyone regardless of race, culture, or background. While there, I crossed countless individuals who had college degrees and came from good family backgrounds, but a few bad situations turned their worlds upside down. After working there, I have a whole new respect for those who face these types of challenges each day. Some people stereotype this population and make references to them just getting up and getting a job, but life is not that easy.

My experience at the Campus has created a greater appreciation for the things I may look over in my life. Many of the individuals I worked with had no family to turn to either because they were dead or they had disassociated themselves from their family. I now take bigger pride in little things like telling my sister, “I love you.” Also, most of us with roofs over our heads and clothes on our backs don’t really think about what it would be like to not have those things.

I feel that it is important to give back to the community because both sides gain something from it. Dedicating your time and effort can mean a world of difference to those who receive it. People would be amazed at the effect that is caused by something as simple as talking with someone. Being a shoulder to lean on costs nothing and is very effortless. Volunteering gave me a sense of pride and appreciation. I feel I learned a lot from those I worked with even though they may not feel that they taught me anything.