Intern Noah Sandberg’s Farewell

Hello, Noah Sandberg here. As my internship at the Columbia Basin Foundation comes to a close, I am grateful for the personal, professional, and academic growth I've experienced. Before I start, I want to express my heartfelt thanks to the dedicated staff at CBF for giving me this unparalleled opportunity as their first year-long intern.

My journey began with engaging in basic community outreach activities and participating in events such as golf tournaments in Moses Lake and Quincy, the Luau event at McKay, and Adopt-a-Highway. These experiences were both enjoyable and somewhat enlightening. My first significant project involved leading the efforts to promote Imagination Library, to which I devoted substantial time and effort, resulting in significant success. While initially scary, soliciting donations from businesses proved successful from day one, boosting my confidence. After persistent effort, I finally secured a substantial contribution which was a huge achievement in late November. I am grateful to everyone who contributed to Imagination Library. Your donations not only ensured the success of my fundraising efforts but also gave me confidence and invaluable support throughout my journey.

In the second half of my internship, I dedicated my time to volunteering at His Helping Hands, engaging in the Festival of Trees, and meaningful activities such as delivering dictionaries to local schools and building connections at the Ephrata Senior Center because of my commitment to delivering food to seniors! At one point in the year, I was also able to share my scholarship journey to inspire others.

Throughout this year, I've developed crucial professional skills and discovered the importance of community service. This first year of college has been an invaluable part of my life's journey, and I am immensely thankful for every lesson, challenge, and success. One of my most significant achievements has been enhancing my communication skills. Initially, I found the idea of fundraising and speaking to strangers daunting. However, over time, my involvement in various community events, fundraising activities, and service projects has vastly improved my confidence and communication abilities. I've also learned the importance of teamwork, persistence, and adaptability in achieving our goals. Each challenge I faced taught me resilience and reinforced the value of giving back to the community.

Looking forward, I am excited to continue supporting and helping CBF and our community. The experiences and lessons I've gained have motivated me to be involved and contribute to the ongoing efforts of CBF.

Thank you to everyone at the Columbia Basin Foundation and to the amazing community for your support and this incredible opportunity!