Amanda S writes:

It's volunteer work that doesn't get you dirty!

Why is community service important? I spent a long time trying to figure out how to answer this question without seeming entirely clichéd. I mean, it's easy to say community service is important because it helps people, fills a need in the community, is rewarding for everyone involved, and unites people from throughout the community. Since it's easy to say that, I figured there must be a better, deeper answer. But after a recent experience and much consideration, I've determined that the answer really is that simple. Community service is important because it links people in the community together with a common goal: to make the community a better place.

Recently, I went to the library to read with some of the children from the Haven, a transitional living facility. Crammed onto the couches and miniature chairs and tables of the children's area in the library were 11 kids from the Haven, all of whom had chosen to spend a night of their summer at the library, and a dozen volunteers. the atmosphere in the library was amazing. The kids were excited to be there, excited to be reading, excited to have someone who would sit and spend time with them. The volunteers, in turn, were glad to be making a difference to the kids.

Unfortunately, many of the children who were there had not been able to pass their current grade level and will have to repeat a year. Even though this was just one night of reading practice, we all had a sense that we were making a difference, that it really meant something to the kids who were there. Everyone was laughing and reading, and the following though actually passed through my head: "This is the answer to that question, this is why community service is important. Here are all these people who would not cross paths in our everyday lives, but put us together in a room with some books and something really important starts happening."

To put it simply, without community service uniting people, there would be no community. There would be people living in proximity to one another, but there would be no sense of relationship there. Community service brings people together with a positive goal, and for that reason it is important. I've seen firsthand through my work with tdi but the goal does not have to be improving literacy and self-esteem in children. Picking up trash on a local beach, spending time with Hospice patients, stocking shelves at a soup kitchen, making crafts with sick children - all of these fulfill needs in the community, but also allow us to get to know our community. My gut reaction answer to this question, as simple as it was, is what I believe to be true. Community service is important because it fulfills a need in the community, but also because it creates a true sense of community.

Max writes:

Reading lets me visit places that aren't on any maps. The looks on the kids faces are amazing.

I think we will not be able to see the full effect of what we're doing for a long time, but I can see from the reactions [of the kids] that they are understanding our message [when we put on the plays].

Megan writes:

We just make people think positively of themselves and treat others positively.

Gives us our volunteer hours for school!

Julia writes:

It shows that teens aren't always into violence.

Kelly writes:

We (as in Amy, my family, and I) went to see a play on Saturday, and during the play they had an emergency evacuation. Well, as luck would have it, we were sitting at the top of the theater with our great aunt. I stayed back to help her, and there was another lady there who was being helped down by two other elderly ladies. Since my great aunt had her cane in one hand, and the railing in the other, I decided to help the other lady. I climbed over the railing and helped her down the stairs.

Then when we were outside she praised me and told me how wonderful I was (ok, so maybe she said thank you!) The fire trucks showed up and they told us we could go back in. We went back in and I left my great aunt sitting in the front because intermission was supposed to be soon, and the play started again. Within 5 minutes, the alarm went off again! Boy was I glad my aunt was at the bottom! I helped the other elderly lady down the stairs again, and I was entertaining all of the rest of the people who were walking down the stairs just because that's what I do! When we got down she thanked me again and this time she said "She's got youth on her side" I just said back to her "no, it was the firemen!"

Other people were walking down the stairs helping out their friends and family, but I saw someone who needed help, so I helped her out. It just felt so good afterwards. Even though it was not nearly as tragic, for a brief moment, you feel like you know what the people went through Sept. 11. You always think to yourself "What would I have done if I were there that day?" Well, I've often asked myself what I would have done, and now I know, I would have helped, it's my natural instinct, I didn't care about myself, there were other people around me that needed me. It's just an overwhelming thing that can't be expressed in words, you have to experience it.

Everyone always says "We need to do something to better the world after Sept. 11," It starts with us, without knowing it we just do good things. We don't have to do them just as TDI members, we do them just because that's how we were raised, and we actually care about the well being of others. I didn't learn these things from being in TDI, I joined TDI because I like to help, and if that's not what we're for, then what is?

Lauren writes:

Tdi makes me feel so good about myself and others. After every performance or visit, I walk away smiling, with hope that I have made an impact on someone's life. It is the greatest pleasure to know that what you do is appreciated by others, and when I see the smiles and applauding coming from young children and teens it is really a wonderful feeling.

The simplest things make the community great

Jessica 1 writes:

I was watching the Disney channel a few days ago and saw an commercial for helping in your community. Disney was offering a t-shirt to the kids who write in and let them know how they help out. It is great that Disney, a channel watched by so many children, is trying to show kids how important it is to reach out into your community. I can only smile at the t-shirt offering because I am too old to receive one for my efforts in my community, but also because I know so many people who don't need that type of incentive to help out. More and more people I meet are helping out with the simplest things to make our community great. It really is a great feeling when I go to places like Ronald McDonald house or even to Dillard's to make a difference in someone's day. The littlest things that TDI does for others really does make a difference and I am proud to say that I can help out.

Hannah writes:

My mother sent me to the atm machine (she was being lazy and didn't want to get out of the car) and when I approached the screen read "do you want another transaction?" I hit "no" and a card came out. (belonging to the lady who just left) I chased after her, returned the card and went back to get my mom's money. No big deal right? I wish. After I was done and we were about to pull away - the woman came running over to us waving money. She was frantic having realized I could have wiped out her account and she wanted to give me a reward. I said no, I couldn't accept it and she kept insisting. I said no again - I felt uncomfortable (mostly because I couldn't believe I was turning down money!). My embarassing mother (and we all know who that is) started on her "good teens" rant and the woman actually said "we only hear about the bad ones!" I felt like I was in a tdi advertisement! So maybe we are making a difference....even if we're not getting paid!

Becca writes:

I am interested in TDI because I would love to help with the cause you all work for. I heard from my friend about this and just listening to her describe what you all do immiediatly made me want to join, not only because I wanted to help out with what happens, but because I found it the greatest way to fulfill my IB hours. I love being around kids, making them feel better, helping with families, having fun in all it's glory, and just thinking that I could help the next generation be a better one. I'd love to volunteer with a group of people who arent so judgemental as you continually see in other groups, and even that this group is working to help others into something better and happier. It would be awesome if I knew that the smiles on others faces were put there by me.

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