Making a difference
Students benefit from volunteering
Commentary by Emily Taylor
February 04, 2010
It seems that in today's society, teenagers are more apathetic than ever. Instead of having to read, play outside or even help Mom or Dad around the house to stay entertained, teenagers now have video games, iPods, portable movies, and other technology that can entertain for hours on end.
People have stopped using their imaginations. They have stopped interacting with and helping others. They focus more on what keeps them happy for the longest amount of time. Many are led to ask, "Is there anyone out there who just wants to help?"
Luckily, there is. Although not everyone volunteers their time and effort, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 20 percent of teens ages 16-24 are out to help. Giving a helping hand doesn't just make the volunteer look good. It becomes an activity that requires full attention so students are always busy, while still allowing room for growth and entertainment.
One of the best aspects about donating time to help others is the connections people make.
"I worked with an older lady from Rossville. With her, there was never a dull moment," said Shaley Epperson, junior volunteer at Stormont Vail Hospital.
After volunteering for almost 190 hours, over three-fourths of volunteers reported gaining communication skills. Even 52 percent of those who volunteered 19 hours or less reported the same acquired ability. By giving a small amount of their time, volunteers still learn more than they ever would camped out in front of the television all day.
Many view volunteering as a great way to get a job. Nearly half of the student volunteers stated they used some of the skills they gained from volunteering in their work place
"After volunteering, I can add faster without making mistakes," said Epperson.
On top of the added skills, almost one quarter of the students who volunteered reported being able to get a job because of their history.
Offering organized help also makes applying for colleges a little easier when it comes to finances. Many volunteers give their time to open the door for more scholarships. The Federal Work Study program offers a fund for colleges to use for students who have a certain amount of volunteer hours. Every year, schools are required to use seven percent of the money specifically for students' financial aid.
This gives many an incentive to sign up to help.
"I started volunteering because it would look good on college and scholarship applications, but I ended up continuing because it felt good to help somebody with their job," Epperson commented.
Giving time to help others really connects students to the world around them. Randi Billings, junior volunteer at Helping Hands Humane Society, has learned a lot through her experiences.
"Volunteering helped me see what was important. Although I helped animals as opposed to people, I still realized how lucky I was to have people actually care about me," she said.
She said many who do give their time would recommend everyone share the experience.
Billings explained, "It is a good experience, and you learn a lot by just helping people. It's a good feeling to know you make a difference."
