Conor Grennan extra credit presentation

On Wednesday, October 16 at 7:00 pm, Conor Grennan came to Saint Cloud State University.  He was in Ritsche Auditorium.  There he explained the Little Princes novel he wrote and his adventures in Nepal.  He was really funny!  He said helping the children in Nepal impacted how he raises his kids now because he gives them what they need and does not like to materialistically spoil them.  One thing that he said that really stuck out in my mind is when he talked about volunteering.  When most of us think of volunteering, we always think we have to do it for the "right reasons", such as wanting to volunteer to prove one is a good person or because one wants to help the children of Nepal.  A lot of times people will say they feel compassion for the children in Nepal, even though they have never met any of the children.  He says people's reasons for volunteering do not matter as much as the effect of volunteering.  For example, when you save a child's life by getting him or her food that is needed to survive, the child is not going to ask the volunteer if he is helping for the right reasons.  All that matters to the child is he is getting the help he needs.  I thought it was a very interesting point that people should not judge a volunteer based on the reasons for volunteering, but instead on how the volunteer has helped others.  After he was done talking, there was a book signing!  This was really cool because I got to meet him in person, and he signed my book!  Also, he thanked us because some of the proceeds from the books purchased went to Generation Nepal.  Enough money was raised to feed a Nepalese child for one year.  The book signing was such an amazing experience, and I am so happy I had the opportunity to go!