Community service: voluntary work intended to help people in a particular area. 

Though this definition might seem like common sense, it is becoming vaguer and vaguer throughout many schools. People today have lost sight of its true value, its true meaning.

From a young age, everyone has been raised with the idea that it is right to give back to the community, whether it is in seventh grade civics class, when community service is stated as a civic responsibility, or parents reminding you that helping others is simply the right thing to do.

And then middle school comes around, and everyone is encouraged to start getting out there to help others. It can be exhilarating, as many are praised for getting involved at such a young age.

High school, though? 

Getting community service hours becomes not a thing to look forward to, but a chore. A chore constantly looked down upon. Many students think of it as a “waste of time,” another pointless responsibility, as they “don’t need” to volunteer.

Since I entered high school, no one has even talked about volunteering. It seems that everyone is always “too busy” to donate their time for the “greater good.” And when I hear a fellow student explain they are excited to spend just a little bit of effort at a shelter, preparing food, or the public library, stocking shelves, others say they admire their perspective. 

Since 2021, the rate of volunteerism has dropped to some of the lowest the country has ever seen. Studies from Stanford and Georgia have proven that the decline at first was due to the Covid-19 pandemic, as the world struggled to open again after stopping for so long. People then became more focused on supporting themselves than worrying about everyone else.

Then there are the economic struggles many have faced. Teenagers especially have decided to focus their efforts on paid labor instead of voluntary activities. Whether it is for their own gain, their family’s or the experience obtained, it is clear that many have chosen to take this route, especially since Bright Futures has begun accepting paid hours.

But what about the others? What about those who have no option at all? 

Volunteering is meant to help those who really need it. It is about making a difference and gaining new skills. It wasn’t created to be taken advantage of for personal gain. Doing community service hours is supposed to give you a sense of purpose, allowing you to meet others in your area and build up self-esteem. 

Additionally, doing these sorts of activities as a high schooler allows you to learn life skills such as empathy, gratitude, teamwork and leadership, all of which are essential for the world outside of school. 

All in all, do not let volunteering become easier. Do not let your honors society tell you to simply donate a gift to get a free hour of service. Do not let your club only require you to do the simplest of activities to stay in that organization. And to leaders and sponsors: Stop accepting the bare minimum. Use your position to make a lasting impact on the community. Require more effort and more hours from your members.

Go to the Sharing Center Oasis, a shelter on Longwood, to grasp a new level of compassion and hard work, while also learning gratitude. Go to the Seminole County Public Library and grow your confidence as well as communication skills. Go to the Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida and get your hands dirty while you help feed those in need and absorb empathy. 

I urge you to get out there and donate your time, because there is so much in life to learn when you help your community.