Volunteers make a difference

Did you take the time to investigate the opportunities highlighted at last week's volunteer fair?  I was so thankful that Mrs. Glaros coordinated such a wonderful event to showcase just a few of the opportunities you can pursue as a volunteer as a way to make a difference and give back.  The benefits of volunteering are not only for those whom you help through your efforts, but also in the positive feelings you will have knowing that you had helped someone else.  

As you begin applying to college and for scholarships there are many times that questions come up about what community service experiences you have had. And, even if not asked directly, if you had memorable experiences they can often be used to support your essay responses.

Please don't panic though, your volunteer work doesn’t have to be a huge project or consist of thousands of hours of time.  What is important is to get involved!  Community service opportunities are as different as each individual who decides they want to help make a difference in the world around them. The sky is the limit and I encourage you to find something that inspires you.

Some volunteer ideas that could help get you started could include – community beautification projects (cleaning up parks or areas of the city), helping elderly neighbors, visiting nursing homes to perform music or talk with residents, homeless outreach, packing groceries for a food bank, assisting at the humane society or other animal shelters, wrapping and handing out gifts to those less fortunate, organizing and attending holiday parties for kids or the poor that would usually have nothing to celebrate, serving in a project for those who are disabled or ill (such as Make a Wish, Adventures for Wish Kids, or the Special Olympics), fundraising or recruitment events, becoming the champion for a cause and helping with awareness (Diabetes, Cancer, Organ Donation), organizing campaigns to donate food, books, or clothes to groups that need it, putting together care packages for deployed members of the military, and the list literally goes on and on. Also, don’t forget that there are several co-curricular groups at WKHS that focus on community service such as Interact, Wolves for Cubs, Project More, REACH Buddies and Student Council and you are encouraged to look into those opportunities as well.

My current community service story is that I have been taking Lexi to visit assisted living facilities.  I like it because I am able to take Lexi to new places on the weekend where she can meet other people, but the biggest benefit is that since my grandma moved 5 hours away to be near my mom and I miss her a lot, it is nice to visit with other people in the same way that I hope someone might be visiting my grandmother.  I am anxious to hear your volunteer stories!