BenefitsofVolunteering
Benefitsofvolunteering
19October2005
Volunteeringhasameaningful,positiveimpactonyourcommunity.Butdidyouknowthatitcan havemanybenefitsforyoutoo?Herearesomereasonstovolunteer:
Learnordevelopanewskill
Volunteeringistheperfectvehicletodiscoversomethingyouarereallygoodatanddevelopanew skillAsMahatmaGandhisaid,"LiveasifyouweretodietomorrowLearnasifyouweretolive forever."Itisnevertoolatetolearnnewskillsandnoreasonwhyyoushouldstopaddingtoyour knowledgejustbecauseyouareinemploymentorhavefinishededucation.Planningand implementingamajorfundraisingeventcandevelopgoalsetting,planningandbudgetingskills Supervisingandtraining...showmorecontent...
Sometimesavolunteerexperiencecanleadyoutosomethingyounevereventhoughtaboutorhelp youdiscoverahobbyorinterestyouwereunawareof.Youcanstrengthenyour personal/professionalmissionandvisionbyexploringopportunitiesandexpandingyourhorizons.
Newexperiences
Volunteeringisabrilliantwaytogetlifeexperience.Whetheryoubuildalibraryormailflyersto raiseawarenessforalocalcharity,youwillexperiencetherealworldthroughhands–onwork.This guidesectionhasestablishedthatvolunteerscandoalmostanythingandwiththenewmilleniumhas dawnedaneraofinfinitevolunteeropportunities.Forexample,itispossibletovolunteerin developingcountriesandseethedirectimpactofyouractionsonsomeofthemostvulnerable peopleoftheworld.Youcouldskydiveforcharity,achancetoexperiencetheultimatethrilland raisefundstohelpthecharitycontinueitswork.
Meetingadiverserangeofpeople
Volunteeringbringstogetheradiverserangeofpeoplefromallbackgroundsandwalksoflife.Both therecipientsofyourvolunteereffortsandyourco–workerscanbearichsourceofinspirationand anexcellentwaytodevelopyourinterpersonalskills.Volunteeringalsooffersanincredible networkingopportunity.Notonlywillyoudeveloplastingpersonalandprofessionalrelationships butitisalsoagreatwaytolearnaboutpeoplefromallwalksoflife,
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Doyouyouthinkstudentsshouldberequiredtovolunteerintheircommunitiestoreceivetheirhigh schooldiplomas?Iforonedonotthinkyoushouldberequiredtovolunteerforyourcommunityin ordertogetyourdiploma.Inmyeyesnooneshouldbeforcedtovolunteertodoanythinghowever, volunteeringdoesteachresponsibilityandbuildscharacter.Volunteeringforsomethingonyour ownshowswhattypeofpersonyouarehowever,beingforcedtovolunteerisn'treallyvolunteering Idonotfeellikeyoushouldbeforcedtovolunteerforyourcommunityinordertogetahighschool diplomabutIdothinkvolunteeringisagoodthingtodo.
Volunteeringforsomethingisusuallysomethingyouwanttodo,youdonotvolunteerfor something
Volunteeringcanhelpnotonlythepersonreceivingtheservice,butalsotheindividualdoingthe volunteering,threebenefitsapersoncangainfromvolunteeringare;attainingleadershipskills, earninganacademiccredit,ortobuildaresume.Volunteeringcanbedoneinsomemanyways; fromhelpingtheelderly,tostartingaclubthatgivesbacktothecommunity.Volunteeringdoesnot giveapersonmaterialisticrewards,suchasmoney,butitcangivesomeoneknowledgeandtime spentwithpeoplewhocanteachsomeoneaboutlife.Ultimately,volunteeringiswhensomeone doesanotherpersonaservicewithoutanyformofpayment.
Onebenefitapersoncangainisleadershipskills,someskillsanindividualcanobtain through...showmorecontent...
Anyonecanbeavolunteer,andthroughvolunteeringapersoncangainleadershipskillsthatmight onedayhelpthemfurtheracareer,andgainrelationshipsthatwilllastalifetime. Moststudentsarerequiredtodoacertainamountofcommunityserviceorvolunteerhours. "Communityserviceisoneofthemostpopularextracurricularactivitiesforhighschoolstudentsto dointheirfreetime".(Barge,"HowManyVolunteersDoYouNeedforCollege").Volunteeringcan helpstudentsshowthecollegestheywanttoattendthattheyareapositivecandidatefortheir college.Moststudentswhovolunteeraregoodcitizensandleaders,volunteeringcanshowthisto admissionofficers.Onepopulartypeofvolunteeringisfundraisingtoraisemoneyforacause.Ifan individualparticipatesinfundraisingtheycanshowcollegesthattheyareresponsibleenoughto handlemoneyandbeproductiveinabusinessenvironment.Aboveall,volunteeringcausesstudents tobeabletoplaceacertainamountofhoursontheirresumetheeffectcanbeacollegeacceptance, causedfromvolunteering
Thelastreasonsomepeoplemightwanttovolunteeristobuildanappropriateresume."Volunteer experiencecanalsohelpanindividuallandjobsinthebusinesssector,asemployersrecognizethat ithelpsstudentsbuildvariousskillsandorganizationalexperienceoutsideofwhatthey'dlearnin school"("How
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"Tovolunteer"istocarryoutactsforthebenefitofotherswithoutaphysicalobligationtodoso.
"Tobeavolunteer"istowillinglydevoteyourtimeandresourcestoacause,aperson,oragroupof people.Theactofvolunteeringisoneofthebasicexpressionsofhumanbehavior,throughwhich individualsaligntheirinterestswiththoseoftheirrespectivecommunitiesandtogetherassistin achievingworthwhilesocialprogressByvolunteeringindividualsdemonstratetheirinvolvementin society,theirindividualism,andatthesametime–theirinsect–likeunison.
Firstly,throughvolunteeringindividualsshowtheircapacityforunderstandingothers;their empathyForinstance:whenyouseeacryingchildonthestreetyoufeelashowmorecontent Everyonecanparticipateinavoluntaryactivityandcontribute,bypossibilitiesandthetimethat theyhave.Especiallyyoungpeoplewhooftenusetheirfreetimewithotheractivitiesanddonot becamepartofvolunteering,withoutknowingthatthisactivitymayserveinthefuture.
Volunteerworkisanactoractionofagroupofindividualsorganized,toimproveandalleviate variousproblemsthatagivencommunitymayhave Avolunteerisanindividualwhoservesinthecommunity,becausesowantsandishischoice. Mostvolunteersarepartofthestructuresofnoprofitorganizations.Bydefinition,avolunteerisa individualwhoperformsafreejobagainstaserviceprovidedbyhiswill.
Volunteerismingeneralprincipleisthepracticeofpeopleworking,whoworkforotherswithout beingmotivatedbyfinancialormaterialbenefitsVolunteerismismainlyrelatedtoanaltruistic activity,whoaimstopromotethehighestqualityoflifefor
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Throughouthighschool,Iwasinvolvedinmanydifferentorganizationsthatwereeitherdesigned forvolunteeringorhadavolunteeringcomponent,amongthem:PeerHelpers,aclubwherejuniors andseniorsmentoredsevenththroughninthgraders;YouthService,aclubdedicatedtovolunteering atschoolfundraisersandthelocalSalvationArmy;andNationalHonorsSociety,throughwhichI volunteeredatthenursinghomeaswellasChristmasfestivalsIncollege,Iampartofaclubcalled VolunteersInvolvedThroughAction(VITA).WhileVITAcontainsmanydifferentcore volunteeringactivities,theonethatIparticipateinismentoringat–riskyouthatthelocalBoysand GirlsClubonceaweekforthreehoursatatimeAttheBoysandGirls
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Ibelievethatkindnessandcompassionarelikeadominosequence.Onceapersondoesanicething tosomeoneelse,thenextpersonwillalsotrytodosomethingnice,andachainofgoodactionsthat willcrossneighborhoods,citiesmaybeeventravelaroundtheglobe.SinceIwasakidnothing pleasuresmemorethanhelpingothers.I'vealwaysknewthatIwantedtobeavolunteer,justlike mymomalwaysknewshewantedtobeadoctor(andnowsheisanamazingone)Imademy definitivedecisionofbecomingavolunteerwhenIwas6yearsold.EveryyearIcollectedclothes andtoysandtookthemtoanorphanage.ThattimeitwasaroundChristmasandmymomletmestay andgivethetoystothechildrenIneverforgotthegenuinehappinessshowmorecontent Theytoughmenotjusthistoryorscience,whichisalsoimportant,theytoughmesomethingelse. Theygavemelifelessons,everyoneofthenleftamarkandchangedmywayofthinkingforever. Mygrandparentsincluded,sincetheywerebothteachers,althoughInevermetthem,thememoryof howmuchtheylovedandrespectedeverysingleperson,andthefactthatthestudentsandcoworker fromwheretheytaughtnamedabuildingaftertheminspiresmetoseekthroughlearningmorethan justfactsandmathematicalformulas.Theyinspiremetouseitasatooltodosomethinggoodinthe worldandinspireotherstodothesame.SointhespiritofthiseternalpursuitofknowledgeIthink thataTraditionalcollegeistherightchoiceforwhatIwant.Iamreallycuriousandthereareseveral thingsIwouldliketolearnalongwithcollege.SinceIhaveareasonableclassrankandthewillto learnaTraditionalcollegeseemstheappropriatefitformeMyplaninlifeistobeavolunteer,andI havetofaceittherearenocollegesthatteachevolunteeringoraspecificsetofgoalsthatIcan follow.ButIalsothinkitisimportanttothinkahed.IfsomedayIwishtosettledown,perhapsstart afamily,agooddegreeandacareerwouldn'tbebadAndalthoughIcan'treallygetadegreeon volunteering,Ithinkgettingoneinchildren'spsychologywillhelpmeplayanevenmoreactiveand importantroleasavolunteerin
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Insocialscience,economistsarguethatpeopleactintheirpersonalbestinterest;incontrast, volunteerswillinglysharetheirtalentsandprovideservicestootherswithnoobligationorany incentiveforpersonalgain.Volunteershavemadesignificantcontributionstocharitable, educational,andworthwhilecauseswithinasmallcommunitytoforeigncountrieswithno boundariesUndeniably,theexchangeofthoughtsandexperiencesareextendedthroughthe volunteerprocess.Withflexibilityintimeandsummervacations,universitystudentsarealarge majorityinthevolunteerforcearoundtheworldTheinvolvementinvolunteerismand extracurricularactivitiesarenotonlybeneficialtoboththeindividualstudentandtotheshowmore content...
UnquestionablyQDChadbeenamediatortomytemporaryliberationfromthedemanding academicworkdeadlinesandhecticexamschedules.Inadditiontomyinvolvementoncampus,I spentmysophomoresummerasavolunteerinKenya.DuringthistripIhadtheprivilegetomeet newfriendsaroundtheworld,exchangedthoughtsonsocialissueswithothers,andwitnessedthe exoticAfricanculture.Indeed,involvementinvolunteerismandadditionalactivitiesprovidea sourceofstressrelief,expandconnectionstopeoplewithcommoninterest,andenhancethe memoriesoftheuniversitystudentlife.Alargersenseofcommunityisencouragedfromstudent volunteersandtheircontributionintheirextracurricularactivities.Myrolesasauniversitystudent volunteerinthemedicalfieldhadleadedmeintoamorecaringpersonwithhighintentionto contributetothesocietyforabetteroverallbeinginthedistrict.AttheKingstonGeneralHospital,I putineffortstointeractwithadiversegroupofpatientsfromchildrentoseniorsbyprovidingmeal assistance,company,andcareInaddition,Itriedtoreachouttotheminordisabilitygroupinthe KingstoncommunitybydedicatingeveryMondaymorningsatdowntownKingstonH'artStudioto assistDownsyndromeadultswithlearningofliteracyandcopingwithchangesintheirlives. Furthermore,mytravellingabroadtoKenyainsummer2008withagroupofuniversitystudents wereplannedtoassisttheprocessofimproving
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VolunteeringanditsAffectonMyLifeVolunteeringhasdeeplyscorchedlifechangingexperiences inmylife.Duringmyexperienceasavolunteer,IvolunteeredforHabitatforHumanity.Habitatfor Humanityisavolunteerbasedorganizationthatconstructs,andrenovateshomesforpeoplethat wererecentlyinanaturaldisaster,deeplyinneed,andforpeoplewhoareinneedofastableplace tolivewithoutbeingscaredofbeingevictedWhilevolunteeringforHabitatforHumanityIhave learnedvastamountsofvaluableknowledgeabouthowwhatIdoaffectsthepeopleIhelp, constructionexperience,safety,attitudes,andsocialskills.NotonlyhaveIlearnedhowIaffect otherpeople,butIhavealsonoticedthatvolunteeringhashadshowmorecontent Gallupisexplaininghowvolunteeringcancostsomeinthebeginning,butinturncanproducemore moneythanimagined.Inmycasevolunteeringcostmetime,andmoneybutvolunteeringultimately gavemevaluableworkexperience,andalsoapotentialcareerpath.WhiletryingtobenefitanotherI havebenefittedmyselfintheprocess.NotonlydidIlearnskillsinconstruction,Ilearnedlessonsin safetythatwillcontinuetobenefitmethoughmyentirelife
DuringmyvolunteeringIalsolearnedsafetyexperiencethatIcanuseinmydailylife.Habitatfor Humanityalsostates,"WhilemostHabitathousingisnew,someofourlocalaffiliatesrehabilitate olderhousing...thispracticemayexposeconstructionworkersandhomeownerstoleadfromlead–basedpaint"("HabitatforHumanity").HandsonexperiencewhileIwasvolunteeringtaughtme aboutthedangersthatcouldcomefromrenovatingolderhomesRigoroustraininghastaughtme howtobesafeinthisworkenvironment.Icanholdthissafetyexperiencefortherestofmylifeand applyittoanyjobIconsiderpursuinginthefuture.Thearticle"TeensWhoMakeaDifference" GeorgeGallupstateshowAmondoRedmondhasmadehistownmoresafeduetohisvolunteering: AmondoRedmondgrewupinatough,crime–riddenneighborhoodinFlint,Michigan.Whenhe was6yearsold,hisunclewasshotand
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Volunteeringissuchaself–fulfillingactionthatapersoncancarryoutintheircommunity.
Volunteeringinapublicorprivateinstitutionissuchamagnificentsteppingstoneinlife,volunteers learnmultipleskillsthatcanbeusedthroughouttherestoftheirlives.Eversince2011,mysummers werespentvolunteeringattheWestlandAreaPublicLibraryassistingcommunitymembersregister andreceiveawardsforthesummerreadingprogramThisvolunteeringexperienceassistedmein acquiringsocialskills,theabilitytoworkefficiently,andtheabilitytoworkwithothersasateam. Askillthatwasacquiredwhilevolunteeringwashavingsocialskills,beingabletotalktopeople, askquestions,answerquestions,beingpolite,friendlyandprofessionalFirstofall,sincethe volunteerworkinvolvedsigningupcommunitymembers,usvolunteershadtogreetthemandassist themregister.Thisactivityassistedmerealizehowimportantitwastobepoliteandpatient, especiallywhenyoungerkidswantedtosignup.Whenthepeoplethatweresigningupcameupto thedeskandtalkedinafriendlyway,everyonepresentwascomfortableandtheconversation becameshowmorecontent
Beingabletogetworkdoneisanessentialskillandabilitythateveryonemusthaveduetothefact thatinthefuturewhenpeoplehavetomakealivingtheyhavetobeabletomeetdeadlinesand finishaday'sworkinordertogetpaid.Notcommittingerrorsisalsoveryimportant,noonewould hiresomeonethatconstantlymakesmistakes.Someonethatmakesmistakescreatesabadimagefor theinstitution,anditruinsthechanceofpeoplecomingback,asavolunteeronemusttakepridein theinstitutionasiftheywerearealworkerbecausetheinstitutionisprovidingtheindividualwitha chancetolearnskillsthatwillhelpthemlater
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IamanassettothevolunteerforcebecauseIhaverealizedwhatitmeanstobecomeanadult.Itis challengingmyselfbysteppingoutofmycomfortzoneandwonderinghowcanIbecomeabetter personbeforeaskingotherstochange.SinceIhavemadethisrevelation,Ihavestartedseeing everythingwithneweyes.IammuchmoregratefulforwhatIhaveandIameagertosharemy thoughtsandtimewiththeworldWhiletherearemultiplewaysofpracticingwhatIpreach,this volunteeringopportunitywillbebyfarthemosteffective.Insteadofspendingmysummerson myself,Iwilldedicatethetimetoothers.Imustadmitthatayearago,thethoughtofapplyingto suchaprestigiousvolunteerorganizationwouldhavenevercrossedmymind
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GoingBeyondTherearemanywaysinlifethatchangesthelivesofpeopleandtheonesaround them.
Volunteerisminvolvementisgivingofone'stalentandtime.Itisaboutanexpressionofhuman relationshipsandgivingofoneself.Beingavolunteercanchangelivesandcanleadoneselftoa careerpaththeyneverdreamedofhavingAlso,whilehavingapositiveeffectonacommunityand thelivesofsomany.Volunteeringcreatesreallifeexperiences,itbuildsstrongcharacter,anditlays agreatfoundationforpromisingcareersthatservesothers.
Throughoutlife,volunteeringhasmanylifeexperiencesthatcreatespassioninallareasoflife AccordingtoBan,"EconomicDevelopmentPowerofVolunteeringcanhelpbuildamore sustainableworld.",whichcanshowmorecontent
Furthermore,internshipsaregreatwaysofvolunteering,aswell.Thereareseveralgreatcompanies intheworldandinone'scommunitythatbringonpeopletodovolunteerworkforhandsontraining. Internshipscanprovideamazingopportunitiesgettoinvolvedinacareerpathoneisinterestedin havingoneday.Manyinternshipsturnintoaverypromisingcareer,thatchangethelivesofmany people.Thatiswhygivingofoneself,isanimportantqualitytohave.
Notonlyaretheyhelpingagreatcompanybutcreatingafutureforacareer.Itisawin–winfor everyone.Furthermore,companieslovetobringoninternsintheircompanies,becauseofthe experienceandworkskillsestablishedbeforetheinternarehiredandrelationshipsmade Inconclusion,volunteeringprovidesagreatplatformtolearnskillsandexperiencesoflifein generalandfuturecareerchoicespeoplecanmakelaterinlifewhentheychooseto.
Organizationseverywhereareindireneedforvolunteerswhocanmakeadifference
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Wouldyouconsidervolunteeringapassion?Willyouconsidervolunteeringmoreifyouknewit wasforyourgrade?"Oneveryspecificreasontotievolunteerworktoeducationisthatteen volunteersaremorelikelytosucceedacademicallythanteenswhodon'tvolunteer"(Paragraph5). Tohelpateentobegoodforsociety,schoolsshouldmakevolunteeringmandatory.Mandatory volunteeringisseenasagoodthingforteensbecausethey´rehelpingthecommunityHowever, volunteeringiswhenyoudecidetodosomethinggoodtohelpsomeoneoutofthekindnessofyour heartbutmostteensdon'twanttoanddon'teventhinkaboutit.Whenitcomestomandatory volunteeringforteenagers,theargumentgoesforvolunteeringthePointarticle,"GiveTeensSome WorktoDo!It'sGoodforThemandEveryoneElse"bytheStudysyncCurriculumbecauseofits effectiveuseofresearchandquotingprofessionalorganizations.
Thearticle"GiveTeensSomeWorktoDo!It'sGoodforThemandEveryoneElse"bythe StudysyncCurriculumisthemostconvincingbecauseitusestheargumentativestrategies:effective researchandquotingprofessionalorganizationsFirstly,anexampleofastrategythatmakesthis articlemoreconvincingustheeffectiveresearchthearticleprovides."Finally,theUnitedWaysays thatvolunteeringimprovespeople'shealthandhelpstomakeadifferenceinsomeone'slife" (Paragraph4).Inotherwords,itisbetterifthevolunteerhoursarepartofteensschoolcurriculum. Thismakesaconvincingargumentbecauseitstatestheresearchtheyfoundandalsoincludesa professionalorganizationwhichprovessomeoneprofessionalproveditThishelpstomakethe argumentconvincingbecausemostpeoplewillrelyonprofessionalstatementsandiftheyare provenbysomeonethatdidtheresearchandstudiesitwhichmeanstheyknowalotabout thatAdditionally,anotherstrategythatmakesthisarticlepersuasiveisthearticlequoting professionalorganizations."Backin2005,acollaborativestudyconductedbythecorporationfor NationalandCommunityServiceandtheU.SCensusBureaurevealedthatstudentswhodobetterin schoolaremostlikelytobevolunteers¨(Paragraph5).Inotherwords
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Journalentry1
DuringtheseminarswelearnedalotaboutthevolunteeringneededintheSartellandSt.Cloud areas.Volunteeringwithininthecommunitieswillnotonlymaketheorganizationabetterplace, butvolunteeringalsowillmakethecommunityandyou,asperson,better.Theyvolunteeringwillbe differentforeachpersondependingonwhatlocationyougoIpersonallychoseSaintFrancisasmy firstchoice,becauseIcouldbeinanelementaryclassroom.ThatreallystuckouttomebecauseIam leaningtowardsgoingtocollegeforbecomingaelementaryteacher.Mysecondchoicewasthen SMS,becauseIwouldstillbeabletogetexperiencewithininaschool,andIwasalsovery interestedtoseehowIwouldlikebeinginaMiddleSchoolsetting.ThemainreasonIpickedthese asmytopisbecauseIcannowgetevenshowmorecontent
Thosearebeinganadult,beingappropriate,beingpatient,beingconsiderate,beingresponsible,and beinghelpful.NotonlywillIfollowthose6strategies,butalsoIwillbeabletousemyjudgment mostimportantly,becauseIseemtohaveagoodjudgmentonwhatiswrongandright Confidentialityisaveryimportantconcepttounderstandandpractice,whilevolunteering. Confidentialityiswhenyoukeepthingstoyourself,andyouwillbehelpresponsibletoknow privateinformationandtonotsharewhatyouhavebeentold.Thisisveryimportantbecausewhen youareworkingwithkidsyoudonotknowwhattheirstoryisandifyoudo,youdonotknowwho theycouldberelatedtoSoyouneedtokeepanythingtheysaytoyouorthatyoufindoutto yourself,becausethatisprivateinformation.Unless,ifthestudentisindangerattheirhomeyou shouldbeabletalktotheteacheraboutwhatisgoingon.Ifthereissomethingyouthinktheteacher shouldknowmakesuretobringituptothem,butnooneelseConfidentialityiskeytobeingagreat
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Volunteering"Wherethereischarityandwisdom,thereisneitherfearnorignorance."
Volunteeringisanexperienceeveryoneshouldhaveatleastonceintheirlife.Byshowingkindness, Iwasimpactedinaway,whichIwasnotexpecting.Kindnessisauniversallanguage,understoodin eachcountry,comprehendedthroughallboundariesNoactsofkindnessaredisregardedBy showingcompassionandkindness,notonlydoesitaffectanotherperson,butitwillreflectintoyour uniquecharacteristicsandbehaviours.Itinstilsapositivemindsetandallowsustospreadthe messageVolunteeringisdefinedas,"apersonwhofreelyofferstotakepartinanenterpriseor undertakeatask."(OxfordDictionary,n.d.)Inmyopinion,...showmorecontent...
Ithonestlywasnotaninconvenience,andprovidedwiththeopportunityagain,Iwouldjumpatthe chance.Truthfully,visitingFreemason'shomemademyday.
Forthesecondvisittotheelderlyhome,Iwaspairedwiththreemen,andtwoofmypeersWe discussedtheirlivesandours,overanextremelyintricatepuzzle.Itwasgreattotalktosomeonethat wasnotmyage,andwaswisebeyondtheiryears.Onemantalkedabouthisjobasanengineer,and askedaboutwhatcareerpathwewereconsideringpursuing.Slightlybeforeourdeparturefromthe home,onemanshowusapictureofhisdeceasedwifefromhiswallet.Ashetoldusabouther, throughhistremblingvoice,youcouldtelltheimmenselovehefeltforher,andthepainhewasin Wethankedhimforfeelingstrongenoughtoshareitwithus,andsincethenhe'sstayedimprinted onmymemory.Itwasabeautifulstory,andmyheartfeltwarmafterwards.Thefoodbankwasone ofmyfavouriteSTRIVEafternoonsWewereintroducedtotheinitiativeandtheirmessage,and immediatelygottowork.Wehadcertainfoodsrequirementsforeachboxandneededtowork efficientlyinordertocompletetheassignedtasks.Whilepackingtheboxes,Icouldreflectonthe changeweweremakinginthosefamilieslives.Theyreliedonthisfood,andIcouldn'thelpbutfeel likeIwasdirectlycontributingtotheirlives.Imaynothaveseenthemorevenknownthem,butI knewIwashelping,
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"Volunteersarenotpaid;notbecausetheyareworthless,butbecausetheyarepriceless."–Sherry Anderson(VolunteeringQuotes:FinestQuotes).Onaverage,whenpeoplethinkaboutcommunity service,theyassumethatvolunteeringisjust'hoursweneedtobeabletograduate'andthatisit Communityserviceismorethanjusthours;communityserviceisbasedontheactsperformedby someonewiththepurposeofhelpingorbringingbenefitstohisorhercommunity.People frequentlycomparecommunityserviceasapunishmentsinceitisoftenofferedtosmall–time offendersasanalternativetofinesorjailtime.However,communityserviceisthevitalforceto manycommunitiessincetheydependontheservicemadebythevolunteers...showmorecontent... Volunteeringinyourcommunityhelpssolvemanydilemmasinyourcommunitythatdescend throughtheeyesofgovernmentandsocialagencies(Everythingyoueverwantedtoknowabout volunteering)Discussingaboutvolunteeringtoteenagersshouldbethefirststepforabetterlife, sinceteenagersarethefutureoftomorrowandtheywillleaveamarkfromyesterday.Volunteering hasbeensuchanimportantmatter,thatschoolsinmanycountriesaroundtheworldestablishedthat 12thgradestudentswillneedcertainhoursofcommunityserviceinordertograduateButthe frequentanswersalltheschoolsaregettingare"WhydoIneedtovolunteer?Ihavebetterthingsto do!"Whatpeopleareforgettingisthateachoneofthemispartofacommunity,acommunitythatis notperfectandthatthegovernmentsometimesforgetsabouttheirproblemsorneeds,because obviouslythegovernmentneedstotakecareofotherthingsthatrequiremoreattention.Peopleare notonlyhelpingothers,theyarealsohelpingthemselves(Volunteering)Volunteeringisnotanew subjectnow,butpeopledidnotperceiveitbeforebecauseastimegoesby,volunteeringisbecoming moreandmorepopularsinceeachyearmorepeoplevolunteer.Volunteeringbeganaroundtheearly 19thcenturysinceAmericawasexperimentingwiththeGreatAwakening.TheGreatAwakening wasaperiodinwhichtheimportanceofthechurchwasslowlydyingandinsteadthe
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"Thebestwaytofindyourself,istoloseyourselfintheserviceofothers",verytruewordswritten byMahatmaGandhi.VolunteeringhasalwaysbeensomethingIloveddoing.Whenateacher neededhelp,Iwasthefirsttoraisemyhand.Ifsomeoneneededtheirkidwatched,Iwasthegirlfor thejob.However,oneparticularinstancealwaysstuckwithme.Mystorystartsoutlikemostother stories,myFFAAdvisor,MrKustersignedusuptopackbuddypacksforkidsaroundMissouriat theMissouriStateFair.Theeventhadacutename,"FoodInsecurityDay",andwegotT–shirtsand aScavengerHunttocomplete.When"FoodInsecurityDay"rolledaround,myselfandotherFFA Membersfromaroundthestategatheredaroundtolistentohowwhatweweredoingwasreally makingadifference.Ofcourse,youalwayshearaboutthedifferenceyouaregoingtomake,but sometimesitcanbehardtobelieve.Thedaywentfast.Wewashedourhandsquicklyandputon hairnets.Wepackedmultipleitemsforthechildren,suchascerealbars,peanutbars,andfruitcups. Wepackedover50,000mealsthatday!ThenIwentontohavefunwithmyfriendsanddidnot reallythinkaboutitanymoreSchoolstartednextweekMynewcheercoachhadaskedifanyone wouldbeinterestedinvolunteeringtheirtimetohelpthemiddleschoolsquadlearningthecheers. BeingVarsityCheerCo–Captain,Iwasmorethanhappytooblige.Itwasano–brainertohelpout becausecheerisoneofmyfavorite
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Volunteering/BronzeAward
VolunteeringasaGirlScoutprovideswaystodevelopleadershipskillsandgivingbacktothe communitythattheylivein.Girlscanvolunteerbythemselvesorwiththeirtroop.Bythemselves, girlscanbecomeagrandfriendatanursinghomeorassistedlivingfacilitybyregularvisitingto playgameswiththeresidentsTheycangonofurtherthantheirownroomsbygoingthroughgently usedtoysandclothesthattheynolongeruseandgivetoachildren'sorganization.Theycando errandsorevencookforsomeoneintheirfamilyorneighborhoodthatmaybefacinganillness.As atroop,girlscanbringholidaycheerbycarolingatnursinghomes,hospitalsandotherfacilities Theycanmakenosewdogtoys,raisefundstobuyfoodandsuppliesforananimalshelter.They canalsopickuplitterinawildlifeareaorparkanddoabeachcleanup.
Volunteeringprovidesgreatbenefitstogirlspersonallyandtheycanearnservicehourstowardtheir schoolrequirementsandGirlScoutawards.Itprovides...showmorecontent...
IhavebeenaGirlScoutforfiveyearsWehavevolunteeredanddonecommunityserviceinmany ways.Wedoannualholidaycarolingatalocalassistedliving/nursinghomeandtheresidentsenjoy andlookforwardtoit.WecollectedsodacantabsandgavethemtoalocalRonaldMcDonald Houseasatroop.Thesetabswereabletoberecycledinexchangeformoneyandputbackintotheir organizationforchildrenandfamilies.Wehavealsodonatedgentleusedclothestoalocalchildren's organizationandGirlScoutcookiestoalocalfosterandadoptiveparentsassociationVolunteering givesmemixedemotions.Toseepeopleinneedmakesmesadbuthelpingthemmakesmefeelso happy.IlovehelpingpeoplebecauseIknowthatIamcapableandhavesomethingtoofferandIam determinedtohelpthemAsatroop,Ienjoythetimewespendtogethergivingbackandithelpsus do
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Volunteeringisawayoflifeformostpeoplelikemyself.Iwasalwaysinterestedinhelpingothers fromayoungage.Ihavebeeninvolvedinvolunteeringorganizationssincefourthgradesuchasthe betaclub.IwasthirteenwhenIfirstlearnedabouttheVolunTeenprogramatEastTennessee Children'sHospital.Itwasafewmonthsbeforemyfourteenbirthday,butIwasstilltooyoungto applyatthetimeIwaitedtheyeartoapply,anditwasoneofthebestdecisionsIhaveevermadeI wentthroughtheinterviewprocess,andIgotapositionintheRehabCamp.Iwouldnottrademy timeintheprogramforanythinginthisworld.Iwatchedachildforaweekwhoendedupbeingmy worldforthetime,andIcanonlyhopeIwastheirstoo
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Volunteeringissomethingyoudonotforthemoney,butforself–satisfactionthatyouhelped someoneelse.Anytimesomeonehelpsanotherwithoutbeingaskedtheyarevolunteering.Many peoplevolunteerbutinsidetheyreallywishtheywereouthavingfun,butIvolunteerforthelookon thechild'sfacewhenhe/shelearnssomethingnew.
Therearemanydifferentgroupstovolunteerwith.OnemajorgroupistheAmeriCorps.Eachyear, AmeriCorpshasmorethan40,000membersservewithprogramsineverystatenationwide.Groups suchasAmericanRedCross,HabitatforHumanity,andBoysandGirlsclubsareafewoutofthe thousanddifferentprogramsthatmakeuptheAmeriCorps.AmeriCorpsoffersmanydifferentfields ofshowmorecontent
Myfirstexperiencewithvolunteeringwaschaos.IdecidedtovolunteerforPMAcademybecauseit wasworkingwithyoungkids.ThefirstdayIwasalittlenervousbecauseIdidn'tknowwhatto expectfromthekidsIwalkedintotheclassroomandovertothecorneroftheroomtointroduce myselftoSue,thedirectorofPMAcademy.ShetoldmethatIwouldbeworkingwiththesecond gradestudents.Shegavemeapacketofworksheetsforthekidstoworkonandpointedmetothe tablewheremyclasswouldbesitting.Suetoldmetogoaheadandsitatmytableandshewould bringthestudentsover.Iwassittingatthetable,lookingattheworksheetswhenIsawSue approachingmewithfourgirlsfollowingclosebehindTheyallsatdownatthetableandIquickly noticedonething;theydidnotwanttositclosetome.Thiswasthefirstspeedbump.Ipassedout theworksheetsthatSuehadgiventomeearlierandtoldthemiftheyneededanyhelptojustask.I watchedthemworkontheworksheetsbuteverytimeItriedtohelponeofthegirls,shewouldscoot away.AftercrackingafewjokestoeasethetensionstheybegantoacceptmyhelpeventhoughI haveboycoodies.AttheendofthedayIfeltlikeIhadmadeagoodimpressiononthekidsand thingsshouldgoevenbetternexttime.
AsIcontinuedtovolunteerthekidsadaptedto
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