We are all volunteer, working for a common cause, in order to make a better future for tomorrow. Community service has contributed to my present self and who I currently am. Therefore, I note community service as impactful and important in my life as a volunteer.

First, community service challenges me to perform beyond my expectations and to work harder. Working despite all odds and obstacles, I have grown, for every moment I offer my time and effort, I but understand myself a little better; I prove to myself I am more than just an individual, but a member of society. For example, the American Cancer Society hosts an annual day-long event called Relay for Life, where volunteers walk, jog, or run around a track in the fight against cancer. Later, the evening is illuminated with a luminaria ceremony to commemorate those who have died due to cancer. The event promotes awareness of cancer, while raising funds to cure the disease. The opportunity to be apart of the event has inspired me to enact change, while inspiring others to do the same. The Relay for Life event is but a small example of what is an miniscule example of the larger efforts sponsored and established by others, such as the Revlon Run Walk event, which promotes the same ideas that Relay for Life incorporates: together we can all join in the same cause and work together.

Secondly, through community service, the idea of giving is the top propriety. Giving teaches humility that through generosity do opportunities open up. After the recent 7.0 magnitude earthquake in Haiti, many of the civilians of the nation experienced hardships and ordeals; however, funding from the United States and other nations has helped the citizens begin their lives anew. I joined the Hope for Haiti campaign in fundraising for the nation of Haiti in a drive through charitable event where people drove in their cars to drop off large checks as well as small change in hopes that their contributions will provide any amount of help to those in need. Additionally, another mean of donations was provided to the public through a text message campaign. Many could choose chose to text message “HAITI” to 90999 to donate $10 to the American Red Cross relief efforts in Haiti, which all in all summed over $7 million in addition to the $10 million that the American Red Cross themselves graciously provided. The inventive means to collect funds for the Haitian people allowed people to aid those less fortunate and struggling. The act of giving in itself is rewarding for all, for the ability to receive and to give is an equally reciprocating act.

Furthermore, the gratitude and euphoria that comes from volunteering is totally worth the cause. As a current high school junior, I spend my time after school tutoring other students in subjects such as chemistry and math. Students seek help to further their education and clarify the misunderstanding and incomprehensions they may have; with my help they truly learn and understand their material, for the peer-on-peer tutoring allows my classmates to ask any questions and concerns they may have without fear or intimidation they may feel within the classroom setting. What they currently struggle with was what I had once struggled with; thus, I feel fortunate to be able to help those who are just like me. I understand their situations and am able to do something about it. Upon hearing that they improved their scores and received the grades they were aiming for, I, indeed, feel appreciated for what I can do unto others, for my efforts are truly valued.

Third, through community service, I have gained new experiences and exposures. For example, I witnessed an impoverish community financially unable to have a Christmas holiday; I dedicated my time in preparing a fundraiser and a toy drive to provide a sense of the holiday spirit to these families. Through the American Red Cross, a holiday festival was set up, where families enjoyed themselves at various booths, which include hot cocoa, cookie decorating, and card making, in addition to receiving Christmas gifts for their children. Additionally, with the aid from the same nonprofit organization, I and other volunteers had set up a carnival with various booths, such as archery and balloon darts, for a measles awareness carnival to fundraise for vaccinations for children infected with the disease. The event led to more awareness of the preventable disease, while having some fun. Experiences, such as these, widened my horizon in regards to helping and supporting others, for community service is more than helping, but understanding and learning from others and seeing a different realm than the one we currently live in. By trying new things, I am but learning and gaining valuable knowledge.

Moreover, community service is all about passion. Many small organizations, such as my high school’s established club, Los Alamitos Humanitarian Club, perform and deliver in implementing mini service projects that display the sentiments of its volunteers. The club and I have baked cookies for the elder in the retirement center nearby the school, and we have also made cards for the sick children at the local hospital. These miniscule projects that we take on are but the grand efforts and emotions that we are determined to show. We prove that small is indeed big, for these projects are just as worthy as the large ones; the size is incomparable in terms of the meaning behind them, for the in-depth and profound truth of community service and volunteering is heart. The passion within one’s heart is what keeps one, especially myself, giving to others, who in return give back to me.

Conclusively, through community service, I have learned to be both a leader and a follower. I have learned that I have the capability to influence the course of action to make the world I live in a better place, for it is up to me and my generation to help our community and those around us. Community service is but making our world a better place, while offering a future of applying oneself to help others.