I wrote this article while I was studying journalism.

Today, many of American teenagers are considered selfish or careless. People seem to think that kids who work, work for their own personal gain. True- many kids do work for personal gain, but there are also many working for their peers and society. What’s even more important is that many of them are volunteers; they don’t work for anything.

Dropout J.A. attended L.S.H.S. until he decided he wasn’t learning anything. But after dropping out, he saw a side of life he didn’t expect.

“It’s really tough to make it through life, but it’s even worse if you have lots of problems and no help,” J’s eyes rolled. “I should know; Mr A., my father, volunteers for the Salvation Army. Now I help him since I’ve got nothing better to do.”

From passing out flyers to singing to elderly people, students learn the importance of gift giving. An extra step is always good if taken in the right direction. Students are taking that extra step every time they care. Too bad most people are too lazy for the few extra inches. J. sees this problem much too often.

“I don’t think enough people help out. If everybody were to help a little, there wouldn’t be as many problems. I guess most people don’t seem to mind. I mean it’s obvious they don’t care.”

People like J aren’t hard to find. You just have to look in the right places. Many clubs and youth groups attend community activities to help the needy people of their society. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, The Red Cross, United Way, and the American Cancer Society are just a few. These organizations are popular with students because they teach volunteers that disabled people need the same amount of care anyone else does.

“I think disabled people need lots of help and attention,” A. S. explained. “They just can’t make it alone.”
Eighth grader A.S. entered a bike-a-thon for muscular dystrophy. He biked a good 50 miles, earning almost $150. Biking is something he enjoys and it was good for him to help someone through his talent.

“About 15-20 people entered. It was a challenge and rewarding because I gained some recognition. I learned also that nice people gain more successful respect.

Not only did A.S. gain respect but he learned something different. Learning comes with a reward.

“I learned that there are people out there that need help and only certain kinds of people can help them. People who care are their only hope.”

“Volunteer work is definitely rewarding," says L.H. "Kids that work here at the center get hands-on experience with the work they do. This changes some career outlooks.”

L.H. is the Volunteer Coordinator of the Diabetes Care Center. She works with kids from the age 14 and up to about 21. Usually students who do volunteer work find a career in their work.

“It’s really good for them to experience such a learning activity. It helps them build character.”

Students who have learned through volunteer work may even carry the tradition on their whole life. Sometimes these people become members of large non-profit organizations, such as Red Cross.

Members of the Red Cross foundation learn to perform first aid, give food and clothing ad even housing to the needy. These responsibilities grow with the students.

“There is often important work for young people to do in fundraising, public information and service to military families. Youth can learn while they do simple tasks of care to disadvantaged people,” C.Z. R. wrote for The Red Cross.

The importance of learning can be found in all types of work, but most important, volunteers enjoy it.

“I liked the work,” freshman M.C. said with a smirk. “Seeing people happy is enough for me.”

Money. What’s money to a volunteer? Nothing. “There’s no reason why helping people with problems should be a paying job when it can be done free, explained 7th grader E.H.

E.H. works at the hospital. She doesn't get paid and can't be on the hospital's payroll, but every Saturday she sits with kids who are in serious trouble and comforts them.

"Once there was this girl here," E explained with tears in her eyes. "Her dad, or uncle, or someone had done some really terrible things to her. She was in pain. She was scared. She was crying. All I could do is sit and cry with her. I couldn't do anything more than that, but I think it helped."

More often than not, the kids involved in the volunteer work don't need or even want money for what they do.

“Well,” J. smiled broader,”if you can’t be helpful without taking it right back, you’ve done nothing. Volunteer as far as I’m concerned means unpaid worker. Who needs money anyway? You can’t buy friends, and as far as I’m concerned that’s all I need to make it.”