Let me catch you up real quick…I started volunteering when I joined my first after-school club in 4th grade, called Kid’s Care Club. Since then, volunteering has been an integral part of my life. I was the president of Key Club International in high school and Rotary International in college and was involved in the National Honors Society. Even now that my school days are long gone, I make sure volunteering remains a priority for me. To date, I think I’ve volunteered around 1000 hours. I’ve worked with Senior Citizens, children, high schoolers, those with special needs, and more during my time. I’ve been touched in many ways through the opportunities I’ve been given through volunteering. I’ve learned a lot about leadership. I’ve made many lasting memories that have taught me about myself and humankind. Enjoy as I reflect on these 1000 hours. Perhaps you will learn a thing or two:)
//
The older generation just wants to connect and find common ground with the younger generation. Being involved in and the president of Key Club and Rotaract Club for a total of 7 years taught me the importance of intergenerational connections. In these organizations, each high school and college club has a corresponding ‘parent organization’, either the Kiwanis Club or Rotary Club, which was made up of community members who were usually retired. I spent a lot of time with the corresponding ‘parent organizations’ as they would help fund and organize the events that the high school and college level clubs wanted to host. This was really the only time in my teenage and early 20s that I would interact with people who were two or three generations removed from me, who weren’t my grandparents. The overall theme of my time with these folks was their desire to connect with and understand my generation. I never worked with anyone who pushed their beliefs onto me which was a stereotype media had plagued me with. I experienced quite the opposite actually. I found that folks who were Baby Boomers or from the Silent Generation had a desire to understand the perspective of what it’s like growing up as a GenZ.They were always kind and empathetic and lent a listening ear. We made jokes and exchanged stories and I gained wisdom from my time working with generations older than me.Working with older generations through my time volunteering, I learned that everyone has a valuable perspective, even if and especially when the perspective is new or unrelatable to you.
//
It takes a lot of people with a lot of different skills and one common vision to make something happen- everyone is valuable. During my time as president of these volunteer organizations, I led the efforts of several large-scale events. These complex events taught me that everyone has skills that are valuable and should be capitalized on.I also learned that sometimes people don’t recognize their own skills and as a leader, it’s your job to bridge this gap and place them in an environment that allows them to develop those skills. Through many hours spent planning, organizing, and coordinating, I learned that it takes many people with many skills to orchestrate something great. Never take for granted the people you have on your team, and take advantage of the shown and hidden talents of those who you work with.
//
Everyone wants to be good at something and to be recognized for their efforts. In high school, I was a cheer coach for a local Special Olympics team. It was something I looked forward to and had a lot of fun doing. It was rewarding to work with kids and adults who had a passion for cheer and wanted to learn from someone they admired. Working with kids and adults who have special needs taught me that everyone just wants to be good at something and wants to have a purpose. The kids and adults that I coached always put forth their best efforts, asked great questions, and would even get frustrated with themselves if they weren’t getting the hang of cheer moves or choreography. I saw the drive and desire they had to perfect their craft and execute their skills well, no matter the obstacles they faced. I learned the importance of ‘purpose’ to human nature and how important it was to recognize people for their efforts. Whether it’s to prove to themselves or others their skills, everyone wants to be recognized for their hardwork and dedication.
//
More than anything, I’m thankful for the breadth of opportunities I’ve gotten being able to volunteer and what I’ve learned about the world. I’ve bought Christmas presents for kids who are counting on the gifts from Santa and parents who don’t know how they’re going to pay rent. I’ve watched as children’s eyes light up when they learn something new, at a children’s discovery museum. I’ve raised money for people around the world who don’t have access to water. I’ve helped kids and adults with Special Needs learn how to swim. I’ve made baked goods to raise money for the local dog shelter. I’ve coordinated care packages for those who are in the military. I’ve served the homeless food. I’ve sung for cancer patients. I’ve planted trees. I’m hesitant to post a list of things I’ve done like this because I don’t mean to brag. Please understand. I list these things to acknowledge the different trials people around the world and in our neighborhoods face. I list these things to acknowledge the help and kindness that’s needed in this desperate world, full of hardships. I list these things to remind myself of how lucky I am. I list these things to never take for granted the life I have. It’s so easy to get caught up in our lives, thinking that our little side of the universe is the most important one there is. It’s easy to get caught up in our problems, feeling all consumed by whatever we’re going through. Volunteering has taught me to always look at the big picture. To be kind to my neighbors and take care of my community. To put forth every effort to leave a positive impact on the world. To lend a helping hand. Through hours spent volunteering, I’ve seen a reality beyond the one I live and it shapes how I live my life.