Dec. 5, 2022
By Ava Gonzalez
Staff Writer
Today is International Volunteer Day, an occasion to celebrate and acknowledge those who donate their time to contribute to economic, environmental and social transformation. This year’s theme, which was selected by the United Nations, is solidarity through volunteering. The theme communicates the message that volunteering is a selfless act and emphasizes the need for collaboration within communities.
I used to think volunteering just consisted of soup kitchens and donating. However, being a volunteer means so much more. I have learned about the butterfly effect and how–even when the contributions might seem small–paying it forward can have a big impact on someone else’s life. Volunteering is crucial because it can have positive physical effects, strengthen a resume or college application and benefit the economy.
To do your part, get involved in clubs at our own school such as Future Business Leaders of America, Medical Club and National Honor Society, which offer plenty of volunteer opportunities, such as bringing in items for food drives, participating in fundraiser walks, spending time with middle school sports teams and working at concession stands. The Medical Club is also starting a new partnership with the Lyndhurst EMT and nearby hospitals that offer junior volunteer courses.
It is essential to find the type of volunteer activity or program that works for you. Personally, I have found a sense of fulfillment in organizing books at the library, leading tours at environmental centers, participating in town cleanups, taking part in charity walks and tutoring. I started tutoring because I wanted to join an activity that did not require specific experience so I could learn as I went along. What struck me the most about tutoring was being able to take a subject that students dread and turn it into a goal to work toward. Watching as the light bulb clicks in students’ minds and seeing them gain confidence is tremendously gratifying.
I have been working as a volunteer for the non-profit tutoring organization Million Reasons since Sept. 2021. This experience has allowed me to tutor students ranging from first grade to adults. One of the students who left the greatest impact on me was a woman who had three kids and was studying to get her GED, which is a high school equivalency credential. She ended up passing because of all the hard work she put in and continues to be an inspiration. A majority of the students I work with come from the Hackensack Public School District. The program runs from 4-5:30 p.m. and I volunteer two days a week, Monday and Wednesday.
What struck me the most about tutoring was being able to take a subject that students dread and turn it into a goal to work toward. Watching as the light bulb clicks in students’ minds and seeing them gain confidence is tremendously gratifying.
Volunteering has helped me gain a positive outlook on life and changed how I view myself. The scientific research behind volunteerism shows that it boosts dopamine, oxytocin and serotonin in the brain, which when heightened and released at a normal rate, contribute to a decrease in stress and anxiety. While serotonin is known as the happiness hormone, the production of the chemical oxytocin can help lower blood pressure and stabilize heartrate. This is often why we hear people who volunteer tend to have longer life spans than those who do not.
Furthermore, high school students who volunteer can gain important skills in communication and leadership. Through volunteering, I have learned how to use features on Zoom and communicate with students through email to schedule sessions. This helps students network and build their resumes. As a result of my volunteer work with Million Reasons, I have gained more than 75 hours, which can be written on different types of applications. Some colleges such as Georgia Tech, John Hopkins and Washington University even require prospective students to have a certain number of volunteer hours to be considered for admission.
Volunteering can also help stabilize the economy within towns, states and even countries. I have had advisors of volunteer organizations tell me that volunteers are critical because they can reduce the workload for faculty members, while not taking away from their pay. Learning hands-on skills through volunteering helps decrease spending on services that they would have otherwise had to hire someone for.
On a personal level, volunteering has taught me gratitude. My experience with Million Reasons and teaching people from low socio-economic communities has taught me how lucky I am. I have more opportunities than some students my age who come from a household where they have to focus on finding a source of income rather than volunteering in what they’re interested in. I have access to technology in a world that relies on the internet. Meanwhile, many students do not have these resources.
Volunteering is key to creating a more cohesive, healthy and educated society. Not just today, but every day, people should take time to recognize the importance of volunteerism and take action to make other people’s lives better and brighter.
