Putting Others First
It’s a ton of work...
…But Worth It!
Months of preparation are needed to get this huge event ready. We let all local outreach organizations and the news media know about the event and line up anyone who wants to participate.
Harry Chapin Food Bank of Fort Myers, Fla., brings truckloads of food items that we unpack and organize. It takes two days for an assembly line to pack the food into individual grocery bags that we hand out on the day of the event.
Local grocery stores donate all kinds of desserts, the media give us free coverage, and the residents of the community come to help.
If just one life is touched by what Outreach does for those less fortunate, it is worth it!
CloseNetworking
As a volunteer, you’ll make new friends and meet all different kinds of people. It’s important that you introduce yourself and get to know these people. Share your interests and your knowledge with them.
You will have new relationships that you wouldn’t have had and this is networking. It is an important step in having references or having connections to work.
Connections to WorkWhen you meet and develop relationships with lots of different people, not only do you have good friends, but you may also have the chance for more opportunities in your future.
Having others know your interests and your capabilities could provide you with support and connections. These same people will help you build a strong résumé by providing knowledge and support of your skills and character.
CloseThat’s the thing about volunteering. You get as much out of it as you put into it. And often, you get a whole lot more.
My work with Outreach has led to an internship at an art gallery. Not only do I help the community, but I use my gifts for Outreach by designing the Outreach logo for the letterhead. Because of that I now have the internship.
I’m not even 15 yet!
Just do it! Make a difference
You can get started now.
“How do I get started?” you might ask. The resources available online are unlimited. First, get your parents’ support and decide what it is you like to do or if you just want to give back. Either way, check local businesses or churches, give them a call, and ask if they need volunteers.
You can look into food pantries in your area; they always need help. And don’t forget about your local soup kitchens.
Volunteering gives you the chance to change people’s lives, including your own. If you feel upset about the news of a disaster, volunteering to help can be a way to deal with your feelings.
If you don’t have the money to donate to a cause, giving your time can be just as important.
Need some ideas?
Volunteering IdeasHelp kids learn and grow. Become a Big Brother or Big Sister, or volunteer to help with an after-school program. The Special Olympics is a great way to get to know kids with special needs.
Play with pets at a local animal shelter. Most shelters count on volunteers to play with the dogs and cats and help at feeding time.
Volunteer for a political campaign. What a great way to find out how things work on the inside. If you’re not old enough to vote, you can still help get someone elected—it could be one of your local politicians or the next President.
Join a conservation group and help out with various environmental projects in your area. Help clean up one of your local parks. If you’re not the outdoors type you could help out in a park office or nature center.
Do you have someone you care about with a medical problem like cancer, HIV, or diabetes? What better feeling than knowing you may have helped find a cure by donating your time to help raise money for research!
Deliver meals to shut-ins or offer to help someone who has a sick family member. Maybe someone you know is too sick to care for their lawn or do something as simple as get their own mail out of the box.
CloseHelping others in need is such an important part of our lives that many high schools, like mine, require their students to spend a certain number of hours volunteering in order to graduate.
Find what's right for you
Unlike school, with volunteering you get to pick what really interests you and who, or what, is most deserving of your time.
If you have more than one interest, there are ways to combine your likes to good use. For example, if you love animals and helping the elderly, you could volunteer to take a pet to visit those in a nursing home.
Volunteering will be an incredible experience for you and those you help!
Volunteers for Day of Hope
True or False: When Benjamin was 15, he published articles under the made-up name of "Silence Dogood." Click Ben's head for the answer.
TRUE: He sure did. Dogood had lots of advice for people. She criticized the world around her--especially how women were treated. Franklin snuck the letters under his brother's print shop door at night. They were a smash hit, and everyone wanted to know who Silence Dogood was.
Age 15
Fort Myers, FL
WRITTEN BY:
Alex
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