I Have Recently Been Inspired... Live can sometimes become such a drag, and a summer without productivity is such a waste. I hope that this site will be helpfull to you in discovering your own passion for helping others and give you some ideas for where to start!
This is one of my personal favorites that I am going to support this summer! http://horsesforhealingnwa.org/ It has just been a personal passion of mine to help disabled kids. I also usedto ride horses and i think they are amazing creatures. So what better way to help children than with one of the most amazing animals?
I have also spent some time with the kids at LifeSource in the past few years- sometimes all the volunteers they need are just teenagers to play sports and outdoor games with the kids! http://lifesourceinternational.org/
WHY? Volunteering is such a great way to give back to your community. I have made a list of all the reasons I personally enjoy it: 1. It makes me feel good about myself. 2. I love spending time with elderly people because they always have good stories. 3. I love spending time with kids. 4. It's the best way to give back! Giving money is helpful, but giving time is infinatley valuable. 5. I help paint posters for Vacation Bible School at my church- it's fun and I'm good at it! 6. I dance at local nursing homes during St. Patrick's day and it just makes their faces light up! 7. I help with the DECA Fashion Show every year, and we raise tons of money for the Children's Hospital! 8. I help teach a preforming dance troop for free- its so fun to work with the girls! 9. I babysit 3 adopted kids every week- the family has had 7 foster kids in the past year and they always need extra help! 10. It makes me have a sense of belonging in my community.
This is the Definition of volunteering; Volunteering is generally considered an altruistic activity, intended to promote good or improve human quality of life. It is considered as serving the society through own interest, personal skills or learning, which in return produces a feeling of self-worth and respect, instead of money. Volunteering is also famous for the skill development, to socialize and to have fun. It is also intended to make contacts for possible employment or for a variety of other reasons.
I think everyone should have some volunteer hours every year so that you have hours to put on your transcripts, resumes, and applications. Anywhere you apply for LOVES to see volunteering! Any sorority/frat REQUIRES volunteer hours aswell. Colleges drool when they see that the kids they are accepting are going to work to make the campus a better place! GET HOURS ANYWHERE YOU WANT! Almost anyone will be more than willing to sign off on a volunteer sheet. National Honor Society requires 20 hours to even get accepted, and you have to have at least 20 to graduate with honors cords! If feeling good about yourself isn't enough of an incentive to volunteer... I'm sure one of these will apply to you!