Posted By Les Conklin on Feb 2, 2017

By  Emily Cheang

5th grade, Lone Mountain Elementary School

Emily, Courtesy Monica Cheang.

Community service is working to benefit a group in your community without pay.  It is taking time out of your day to do something good for others.  There are many different types of volunteer work.  Some jobs may include, stocking shelves at a food bank, serving food for the homeless, or even feeding stray puppies at a dog shelter.  No matter what you do, there is always a reward for those who try.

 I’m in 5th grade at Lone Mountain Elementary School.  When school started this year, I was so excited because 5th grade is the year when kids are allowed to start volunteering.  I chose to volunteer at a horse and dog rescue called Hoof and Paw Rescue, Inc.  I remember the first day I volunteered; I had to leave the house at 7:00 in the morning.  It was the middle of winter, so it was very cold.  My mom was volunteering with me.  We were early, so we decided to walk around. While we were walking, we found a cage with the cutest little puppies I have ever seen! I played with them for a while and then started to clean out their cages.  After that, I went over to the horses and got them food and cleaned up after them.  By the end, I was tired and smelled like a horse, but I felt like I had accomplished something that day.

Waiting for a Home, Courtesy of Monica Cheang.

There are many reasons why kids my age should volunteer in their community.   For example, it’s good for you both physically and mentally.  It gives you a chance to do some hard work for someone other than yourself and feel good about it.  Volunteer work also gives you a chance to gain some professional experience on a subject that could be very useful in your life one day.  For instance, I volunteered at an animal rescue because I want to be a veterinarian when I grow up.  Volunteering as a child will help you increase self-esteem and personal growth.   

 Volunteering doesn’t have to be a long and hard job.  It could be as short and simple as growing food to give to people in need.  There is so much you can learn and it is a great chance to give back to your community.  After all, the community does so much for you. 

Emily with Friend, Courtesy Monica Cheang.