(1) O'kay, so you're nine years old and wish you were ten years old. Or you're ten and wish you were twelve. Or twelve,
wishing you were fourteen, or fourteen wishing you were sixteen. So it goes when you're a kid-- at least
if you're kid wanting to get on with the business of growing up...having people take you seriously...doing
things you want to do.... Volunteering lets people around you know you're a "Can Do!" kind of
person who might be a little ahead of the curve age-wise and ready to take on the responsibility of
a ten year old, or a twelve year old, or a fourteen year old, or a sixteen year old!
(2) Volunteering gives you the opportunity to make a difference about something you care a lot about.
Do you care about animals? Well, volunteer to help out at an animal shelter, or take in a puppy or
kitten needing adoption, If you have a strong religious faith, volunteer at or for your church,
synagogue, mosque, or temple.
(3) Do you already have career plans about what you'll do when you're grown up? Then why not get
some experience in that field by volunteering?
(4) Do you want to make new friends? Volunteering helps you break out of your routine environment
and introduces you to other kids and adults who just might be some of your best friends for life!
(5) Want to pick up a skill that isn't taught in school? Then why not hang with other kids and
adults who either have that skill or are trying to acquire it ?
(6) Being a kid -- for better and worse-- is about LEARNING. You're sure to learn NEW THINGS
through volunteering!
(7) Maybe your neighborhood or part of town isn't as well off as some others. Just maybe, by
volunteering to beautify a nearby park, pick-up trash, cut weeds in a vacant lot, etc., you'll
improve the quality of life in your area.
(8) Just have fun: So many volunteer opportunities are just good fun, upbeat ways to spend some
time.
(9) Planning on going to college? Volunteer work is often considered by college admissions officers
and can be a factor in helping you obtain obtain scholarships.
(10) And lastly -- and this is the Thriller, the Filler, the Chiller, the Top Biller and the
Bottom Line-- THE WORLD WILL BE A BETTER PLACE FOR YOUR BEING HERE!
