Who doesn’t like making money? As summer rolls in, students of all ages struggle to get a summer job. Whether it is working at a restaurant or selling mangos on the side of the street, “it’s all about feeling like you are part of a community- you are earning, therefore, you can contribute,” states Simon Fernandez, a senior in the IB program. But what better way to contribute to the community then with love, patience, and attention?

“I do community service in order to graduate and get my diploma,” says Cedric Kleisler, a senior at Mast Academy.

The concept of community service is often misunderstood. A community cannot survive without the help of people who give their time altruistically.

“If we all did community service as just an obligation, our community would never develop,” says Christopher Hearting, also a senior in IB.

Christopher is right. With the help of volunteers, our community can help kids with low income families participate in free camps or give comfort to grieving families.

We can learn from the elderly in a rehabilitation center, or use our gift and passion to make goal-oriented movies for museums, plant trees for our neighborhood elementary school, or even spread our faith through good examples.

Community service is meant to make young people aware of their importance in the community, and the impact they can make on people they help.

“They [the volunteers] are my best friends. I can forget about the hospital, and just have fun. I get to feel good,” says Kiande,7. She has cancer and has flown to Miami from her native Trinidad to undergo treatment. She is staying at the Winn Dixie Hope Lodge, with her mother Betsy Kaloo, who adds “volunteers that come and visit us get us away from all the treatments, they make you forget and have fun, and believe me, it is emotionally draining and we all deserve a break.”

Those of us who are lucky enough to be able to help instead of be helped should do it for the right reasons. Brandon Wood, 9, is starting at a young age. He volunteers at Earth Angels, a non-profit organization that helps kids and families with life-threatening illnesses enjoy life and forget their pain. “I just have fun here, all the kids are my friends, and we play games and laugh,” his voice softens. “Then one day, one of my friends dies, and I remember that they are less lucky then I am…. Then I think about the people that are alive and that are happy, and I feel I helped them just feel OK, you know, forget the pain. Then, I can’t help coming out feeling like a better person.”

It seems that Brandon has grasped the right concept, and we should all follow his example. Although he may not be making any money, he is getting something worth much more: an appreciation of what he does have and the knowledge that he is helping other improve their lives.

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