Encouraging Your Child to Volunteer

My junior year in high school I was given an application to possibly join the National Honor Society. I qualified for this group due to my above average grades. As I filled out the application, I didn’t have anything to write down in the portion asking about volunteer work. At that time, I was only 16 years old and just obtained my first part-time job and loved spending time with my friends. That year, I was not chosen for the National Honor Society; however, after an important talk with my guidance counselor, I learned that volunteering was an important action that could look good on college applications and even qualify a student for scholarships.

That year, I joined a handful of school activities that interested me. I joined Students Against Drunk Driving, the yearbook business staff, the school newspaper staff, volunteered at our school bank, joined committees against school violence, and even became an aide for our school nurse. Joining all of these activities with my school made me feel important; however, I had no idea what volunteering for local community groups would do for me.

There are many different groups and organizations that constantly need volunteers from teenagers or other adults. The SPCA is a fun and exciting way to volunteer in the community. Many SPCA clinics need individuals to help feed the animals or walk the dogs. If you are interested in dealing with animals, you could contact your local animal hospitals to see if they may need any assistance.

Hospitals are in constant need of volunteers and they are often referred to as “candy strippers.” Volunteering at a hospital could possibly entail working in the gift shop or cafeteria, running errands for doctors, and assisting patients with their needs. In addition to hospitals, many young adults volunteer at local senior centers or nursing homes. Manny elderly individuals do not have any remaining loved ones to visit or entertain them. There are also many onsite activities that may require outside volunteers.

If you enjoy working with children, volunteering at preschool or daycare centers is a fun and exciting way to help out. There are often after school or summertime school programs that may require volunteers. During the summertime, little league baseball games or other outdoor sporting events sometimes use volunteer empires and referees.

When you volunteer in the community, you are not only helping yourself, but others as well. When I was working with children and walking dogs at the SPCA, I felt important and needed. I’m sure that the people and animals who I was working with also felt important and cared for. The following year, I was inducted into the National Honor Society due to my school activities and volunteer work. In addition to National Honor Society, I was nominated and received a scholarship that went to one student in just about ever public school in New York. Never underestimate the power of encoring your children to volunteer, the benefits are unlimited.