Reluctance to Reward: Volunteering Will Change Your Life!

Throughout high school, I have been involved in many volunteering activities, and you have probably had your fair share too. However, one experience stood out, opening up my perspective on volunteering: when I signed up to teach coding at a local elementary school. 

I will admit, I was less than eager. Giving up my Saturday mornings wrangling a bunch of kids didn't sound all that appealing. But the first time I stepped into that classroom, something unexpected happened. The excitement in those young faces while making their first lines of code was contagious. Their curiosity and eagerness to learn reminded me of why I first fell in love with coding. As the weeks went by, I found myself looking forward to these sessions, watching the kids grow with my own patience and teaching abilities.

It has taught me a lot: the ideal thing would be to volunteer for causes one feels enthusiastic about. In this way, one will get the most out of the experience along with those one serves. It should not be a prerequisite, some box to tick when applying to college, nor an ordeal to go through. Instead, it should provide an avenue for sharing interests and learning new skills, leaving a mark in your community.

Today is International Volunteering Day, and it’s your chance to embrace volunteering and make an impact with people all around the world. Here are some ways to get involved:

• Through your local SADD chapter: Being part of SADD offers countless opportunities to volunteer by promoting healthy decisions among all your peers.

• School clubs: Most high schools have service clubs that run events for volunteers.

• Local non-profits: If there is a nonprofit in your area that interests you, give them a call.

• Community centers: Most community centers seek volunteers for various programs and activities.

If you still feel reluctant, remember volunteering is not only about giving to others; it may have a significant effect on your own life. Think about these personal benefits of volunteerism:

• Skill development: You will also have practical experiences in leadership, communication, and problem-solving.

• Confidence: Boost your self-awareness and feel empowered by the work you’re doing that can translate to future job prospects

• Interest expansion: New passions and hobbies can develop through personal growth.

• Community connection: You could find the right type of people with similar interests and create a connection within the community.

• Stress reduction: Helping others reduces your stress and elevates your general happiness. It can be therapeutic if you embrace it properly.

• College/Career Prospects: It shouldn't be a main motivator, but it is a great value addition to your college and job applications.

As we celebrate International Volunteer Day, I challenge you to take action: Find a cause that resonates with you and commit to volunteering–even if it is just a few hours. Whether you teach a skill you love, help at a local animal shelter, or participate in a community clean-up, your contribution counts.

After all, volunteering has nothing to do with the number of hours a person can offer but with the quality of time spent and the difference one can make. So step out of your comfort zone, share your talents, and be part of something bigger than yourself. Let this International Volunteer Day usher in that aspect of life where we promise always to be committed and involved in making our world a little better, one volunteer act at a time. And you never know; you might find, just as I did, that what begins as a reluctant commitment soon blossoms into a fulfilling lifetime passion.

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For more info and ideas on volunteering, check out the Leadership section at sadd.org/programs