You've seen people in need on the news after a
hurricane
, earthquake, or other disaster. Perhaps you've walked past
homeless people who are living on the streets. Or maybe you've
been to an animal shelter and wished you could give every pet a
home.
So what can you do to help people (or animals) who need it? The
answer is - volunteer!
Volunteering means spending some of your free time helping others.
You may volunteer to help other people, such as the families who
lost their homes after Hurricane Katrina. But you can also
volunteer to protect animals, the environment, or any other cause
that you care about.
Help Yourself by Helping Others
Volunteering helps others, but it can also help you, too. If
you're upset about something that's happened - like a
hurricane or other disaster - doing something about it can be a
great way to cope with your
feelings
.
Volunteering also lets you see your own life in new ways.
Sometimes it's easy to worry about stuff like grades or get
annoyed because you don't have the most expensive sneakers or
the newest computer game. Volunteering lets you spend some time
focusing on others for a while.
Lots of people - and kids - find that they really enjoy
volunteering. Volunteer experiences often put you in a different
environment and expose you to people and situations that you
wouldn't have come across in your regular life. For instance,
you might learn that just on the edge of your town are some kids
who really need winter clothes.
It feels good to be able to meet a need like that. You'll
know that, thanks to you, some kids have warm coats, hats, mittens,
and boots. So whether it's winter clothes, food for the hungry,
or homes for unwanted pets, doing volunteer work means one very
important thing: You make a difference in the world. So where do
you start?
Getting Started
Some of you may already know about volunteering and service through
4H, Boy Scouts, or Girl Scouts. Religious organizations, like
churches, synagogues, and mosques, also organize volunteer and
charity work.
School is another good place to start if you're looking for
volunteer ideas. Ask a teacher, school counselor, or librarian for
ideas. Your local parks department also might have some suggestions
for how kids can volunteer.
Some places want volunteers who are 12 or even older, depending
on the job. Often kids start volunteering by working alongside
their parents. For instance, you might be too young to prepare food
at a soup kitchen, but if your parents volunteer there you might be
able to go along and pitch in. One girl who sent us an email said
she helps out at a soup kitchen by playing cards with the homeless
people who eat there. "It's nice to see them smile,"
said Sammy, 13.
Things to Do With Parents or Family Members
Volunteering is a great way to have fun with your family. Talk
to your parents, brothers, or sisters and see what they might be
interested in doing. Find something you all agree on.
Here are some ideas for things you can do as a family - or with
a group that has adult supervision:
- Clean up a park or along a river.
- Plant trees or flowers in your local community.
- Serve food at a homeless shelter.
- Deliver meals to people who are elderly or ill at home.
- Clean up a school or other public building.
- Count wildlife or plants for environmental groups.
Invent Your Own Opportunity
Kids also can come up with their own ways to raise money or
provide needed services. Here are some ideas:
- Make and sell products and donate the money to charity.
Carly, 11, and her sister Molly, 13, raised almost $10,000 for
the American Cancer Society by selling honey at farmer's
markets and fairs.
- Collect or earn money for charity. Ten-year-old Talia
trick-or-treated for donations to Hurricane Katrina victims.
Eleven-year-old Kyra donated the money she made pet-sitting to a
local animal shelter.
- Start your own charity group. Three sisters, ages 8, 11, and
14, started Project Backpack to help kids who were evacuated
after hurricanes Rita and Katrina.
Some schools now require kids to spend some time in service to
others. Why? Because grown-ups hope kids will become caring people
who see the value in giving of their time, talents, and resources
(like money, toys, or clothes they might donate). Volunteering
gives kids a taste of responsibility because people are depending
on them for something important.
Volunteering also can help kids learn important stuff about
themselves - like what kinds of things they're best at and
enjoy the most. A volunteer job can even help some kids decide what
they want to do when they grow up. So what are you waiting for?
Make a plan to start volunteering today!
Reviewed by:
Barbara P. Homeier, MD
Date reviewed: January 2006
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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