Community Service- Just another Way of Doing Time?

So I’d just like to know who decided to scare away so many young volunteers. Really! It’s a sincere question. Which jerk decided that at age eight every child must be subjected to “volunteerism” instead of their usual punishment? Which nonprofit organization decided that most young people should be given the boring meaningless tasks no one else wants? Like really? Licking 400 envelopes for a mass mailing until they have spit and glue all over their clothes and their tongue gets the equivalent of carpal tunnel- Who thought that was a good idea? What about the person who decided every kid should be told the only form of volunteering includes picking up trash along the highway in either 105 degree heat or -2 freezing rain. Even if they chose a nice 78 degree spring day it would be better, but come on! Some kids don’t even volunteer until they get caught stealing or breaking the law. The judge says community service or a $1,500 fine. It’s a bad sign when a kid flips a coin to decide.

But obviously if you’re here, you don’t feel this way. Obviously you know how these cruddy opportunities are the vast minority, how there are countless organizations and causes that really need young people’s help, how much of an impact one person can make. So now what?

You know, but that’s not good enough. Get out there and talk to your friends. Make sure they know how important they are and how much fun volunteering is. Tell them its not just for law breakers, boring high schoolers, or press seeking celebrities. Tell them they can find something they love, somewhere they love, some cause they love. It may take some effort, but hey youth empowerment… it’s kind of worth it.